By Alison Thompson
BYU ski bums and bunnies can now carve their careers out of the snowy slopes of Sundance.
On Tuesday, Oct. 21, BYU''s Recreation Management and Youth Leadership department will introduce a new ski and snowboard instructor course for students interested in teaching the two winter sports.
Mark Widmer, chairman of the recreation management department, is teaming with Scott Nyman, the ski school director at Sundance, to create a unique program where students can learn the skills of teaching, skiing and snowboarding at the same time.
'Students graduate from BYU and have skills to teach their own children, friends and family after taking this course,' Widmer said. 'As you teach people to ski, it gives them an activity they can do throughout their life. It gives them a higher quality of life and the chance to be well-rounded.'
Widmer will focus on the theory and fundamentals of teaching while Nyman will apply those principles on snow. Their course material will cover what all ski and snowboard instructors need to know - ski history, equipment choice, teaching theory, basic lift operations and boot and binding adjustments. The wide-ranging approach is aimed at giving students a broad understanding of snowboarding and skiing.
After many years of experience as a ski instructor, Nyman believes the class will open doors and give students an advantage in the tryout process.
'Taking this class would help them get a job with confidence,' Nyman said. 'Our course will help further distinguish them from other ski instructor applicants who have no experience or training.'
Widmer is also eager to give students the opportunity to learn how to ski and snowboard and teach others how to do it as well.
'One of the great things about BYU is the location,' he said. 'We are in the heart of the best recreation in the whole world. Students have the opportunity to fish, kayak, ice climb, mountain bike and ski.'
Widmer said there is something about getting out of the library and standing on top of a mountain overlooking God''s creations.
'The experience enhances our education in a way you can''t get in a classroom,' he said.
Chris Sundberg, a BYU skier, said he is looking forward to this class because he gets to hang out with Widmer.
'Mark is such a cool instructor that even if he was teaching underwater basket weaving, I would take his class,' Sundberg said. 'He is more like a buddy than a professor.'
Sundberg is also excited because class members may receive discounts on ski passes and equipment.
'Being able to improve my skills and not have to pay for it -- what more do you want in life?' he said.
The class will be offered during the second block of fall semester, starting October 28, and again during the first block of winter semester. It is listed under recreational management/youth leadership, 223R as section 407.
Although students cannot enroll on the computer, a sign-up sheet is posted in room 273 RB.
'It makes sense to take advantage of this ski country,' said Widmer. 'UCLA doesn''t even get that luxury.'