While the time for ultimate frisbee and intramural football have vanished along with the warmth of milder seasons, students are still turning to outdoor recreation for sunshine, relaxation, and exercise. But instead of hitting the fields, students are turning to hills and ski courses in the Hillsdale area.
Cross-Country Skiing
Former Hillsdale College Cross-Country coach Bill Lundberg works as the College’s Hayden Park Health and Wellness manager and directs the cross-country ski activities at the park.
“I went out for about three-and-a-half hours last weekend because I helped every group set up and get going,” Lundberg said. “It was really beautiful with the great weather. From novice, to first time skiers, to some people who are really experienced, everyone is able to come out and participate.”
Because there are only a few sets of equipment, Lundberg asked that people wanting to ski call, text, or email him before coming to the park so he knows to get ready for them and if there is enough equipment.
“Although we’re limited right now, I believe that the college will invest in more equipment as we grow and begin to offer more and more activities and opportunities,” Lundberg said.
“It’s really a great cardio workout,” he continued. “You’re working your upper body and your lower. It’s just a good overall workout. The trails are even five miles long and the course maps are pretty well laid out for cross-country. There are shorter and longer trails that you can take.”
Lundberg explained that outdoor sports, such as skiing, tie in so well with what the college trying to promote with health and wellness.
“Skiing is a great activity in which anyone and everyone can participate and have fun,” he claims.
Lundberg said that Hayden Park is place where there is opportunity for various activities. People are able to snowshoe or even go running when there’s less snow.
Snowshoeing
Senior Katie D’Amour is one of the Hillsdale students who enjoy snowshoeing. D’Amour has always loved looking at L.L.Bean catalogs featuring spreads of young adults enjoying outdoor activities that advertises outdoor sporting equipment and apparel. Eventually, the snowshoeing and equipment featured in the catalogs won her over. When she requested snowshoes for Christmas, her wish was granted by her parents, she began enjoying winter walks with snowshoes.
“I went with a few walks with other people,” D’Amour said. “It’s just a really nice way to get out and enjoy the weather.”
Living in Indianapolis, Ind., where there is plenty of snow in the winter, D’Amour knew she’d be coming to snowy Hillsdale when she received her snowshoes in her senior year of high school.
She said that the shoes cost between $100 and $150, and, while she loves snowshoeing, not many other people participate in the winter activity. D’Amour finds this a disappointment, as she enjoys snowshoeing in groups more than as an individual.
Ice Skating
Sophomore Hannah Russell’s favorite winter activity is far more convenient to campus, given the newfound solidity of the ice rink on the quad.
Russell started skating on a small lake about ten minutes away from her house when she was 5 or 6.
“Every New Years Eve, we would go skating,” she said. “And you could skate all the way around the lake. It was just so much fun.”
Russell talked about the ice rink on campus and the many fun experiences she had playing broomball and watching faculty-student hockey games there.
Just as Lundberg suggested that there are many different levels of skiing, Russell said that there are many different levels of skating. From those who can only manage to stay upright for a few minutes to those who can do a combination lift on ice, everyone can enjoy an afternoon out on the ice.
Tobagganing
While most northerners have gone skating and sledding before, tobogganing is a sport that few people participate in, even those who live in areas with heavy snowfalls.
Shelley Allen, aid to the registrar, and her husband Scott live a little ways outside the city. Their property has a very large sloping hill on which their family toboggans.
Scott Allen said that he’s had his toboggan as long as he can remember — 50 years at least.
“It’s just so simple,” he continued. “It’s a team sport, a family affair, a group effort, because you’re all forced to sit on the same toboggan and hug each other.”
Freshman Colton Gilbert from Florida went tobogganing for the first time at Scott and Shelley Allen’s house with some friends this past weekend and greatly enjoyed the experience.
“I loved it!” he said. “The snow was a new experience for me. I sat right up front to begin with, but then I realized why everyone was laughing at me when I got snow in my face. We don’t have much tobogganing in Florida.”
Even though the temperatures have plummeted, outdoor recreation is still readily available around Hillsdale and offers an opportunity to work off stress and enjoy the sunshine.
