While the first race for the Sandy High School ski team won’t be until early
January, the season officially gets underway in mid-November when athletes
begin their dry land training. Last year’s team featured three racers who went
to the state competition and another four skiers reached the state competition
in freestyle.

Ski coach Josh Kanable noted that six seniors graduated, however, and new
blood will be infused into the program this year. He reported seven freshman
show up for the team’s first meeting, and expects up to eight boys and eight
girls for this year’s team.

Kanable also noted the Mount Hood League, where Sandy competes, has seen
few skiers in recent years, but his goal is to change that in Sandy.

“I’m hoping to reverse that trend and make the ski team more of a
destination sport,” he said. “I think everybody loves to ski ... there’s no reason
they shouldn’t be jumping at the opportunity to go skiing three days a week.”
Kanable expects greater continuity in the next few years, as this year’s team
should include just one senior, along with four juniors and a number of
freshman and sophomores.

“I’m really excited not to lose anybody next year and build this program,”
Kanable said. “It’s exciting.”

The team will also hold its annual “Snowsports Swap,” offering equipment
sales and more. The early bird sale will take place from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Dec.
6 and the regular sale from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Sandy High
School, 37400 Bell Street in Sandy, with proceeds supporting the ski team.
Those wishing to consign items can drop them off between 4-7 p.m. Friday,
Dec. 6. There is a 30 percent consignment fee.

In addition, the team will also offer two special screenings of “Ticket to Ride,”
a 2013 film by legendary winter sports filmmaker Warren Miller. The latest
chapter in his film series features world-class athletes skiing and
snowboarding all over the world, including in Alaska, Montana, Kazakhstan,
Iceland and Greenland.

Kanable has seen the movie three times already and says the idea is to “get
people pumped up and excited about skiing.”

“I can’t wait to get up on the mountain after that (movie),” he added.

Kanable noted the film and Snowsports Swap are expected to meet the entire
budget of the ski team, including tickets and equipment for students. He
hopes in the future the proceeds will also be able to pay for the salary of a
second ski coach.

The movie will be shown at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7
(doors open at 5 p.m.), at Sandy High School, with a 30-minute intermission.
Tickets cost $20.

For more information, or to buy tickets, visit sandyhighskiteam.webs.com.