Innisfail Middle School ski program growing thanks to many great volunteers

Great volunteers is a key factor in the successful expansion of the Innisfail Middle School (IMS) ski program, according to organizers. 

“I want to sincerely thank each parent, staff member, our volunteer ski instructors, and the individual people who open the Innisfail Ski Hill for us and support each student who arrives there,” says Erin Holt, IMS teacher and ski program organizer. “Without these individuals we could not do what we do. Our program has grown because of the combined efforts of so many.”

The IMS ski program began three years ago. It offers Grade 5 students the opportunity to learn to ski at the Innisfail Ski Hill. The Grade 5 students visit the hill three times during school days in January, as a part of their physical education classes. 

During their time on the hill, they learn basic skills and receive coaching from volunteer instructors, which include some staff members from IMS as well as community members.

In the 2024-25 school year, the program expanded to include Grade 6, 7 and 8 students. These students receive a single session at the ski hill each year, with the hopes of helping students continue to develop skills and confidence.

In total, IMS students will be on the hill in January 17 times. There are almost 250 students participating. The volunteers include: four instructors (three of them are IMS staff members), four community volunteers and 35 parent volunteers.

“This is an amazing facility right in our own community,” says Holt. “And part of what makes it amazing is all the people who give of their time to make it that way.” Holt adds, the volunteer contributions also help keep the costs down. 

Tim Jackson was a part of the group that helped to open the Innisfail Ski Hill in the 1980’s. He is one of the facility operators and says, “The program is a great idea. Anytime you can turn kids on to skiing it’s so good. It is a great sport that they can enjoy for a lifetime.” 

Tim’s niece, Melanie Melnyk-Robin also helps to run the facility and with the IMS students when they visit.  “This program is helping kids become comfortable with the sport, and get outdoors and enjoy physical activity,” says Melnyk-Robin.

Melnyk-Robin says she enjoys interacting with the students, and likes it when many of them come back in evenings or on weekends, and often with their parents. “This is getting whole families out, and giving students a way to interact with adults, and giving the students a break from their phones.”

“It’s even evolved for some of the Moms who started off nervous about skiing, but now come skiing together for a ladies night,” says Jackson. 

Melnyk-Robin says her kids grew up skiing at the hill, but when they invited their friends they often wouldn’t come because they didn’t know how to ski. She says the IMS program is changing that. “I see lots of the kids skiing with their friends.” 

Deb Penner is an Educational Assistant at IMS, and one of the volunteer ski instructors. She says, “It’s cool to see the students in a different environment, and even though they sometimes feel outside of their comfort zones, students are gaining confidence. We literally watch their fear melt away, and the pride and confidence grow. The students see they can do hard things when they don’t quit.” 

Penner recalls one student who was quite scared on the first day, and unsure whether she would be able to ski. “Now she is snow plowing her way down the hill, full of smiles. I love the moment when kids discover ‘I can do that’.” 

Layne, a Grade 5 student, says “It’s awesome we get to do this in school.”  Raya, a Grade 5 student agrees and adds, “It’s so much more enjoyable than science.” 

Grade 5 student, Lucas, says “I thought skiing would be scary, but actually it's pretty fun.” 

“I thought I would be just laying on the ground when I got here,” says Grade 5 student, Emily. “It’s amazing! I love turning when I’m skiing down the hill.” 

“I thought I might hit a tree, and that was scary,” says Grade 5 student, Beckett. “Now it’s fun and actually kind of easy.” 

Wade McAllister is a parent volunteer, who was stationed at the bottom of the tow rope, helping students there. “I think this program is great. Last week, when it was the first day, there were only a handful of students who were comfortable skiing on their own. A week later and more than half are comfortably skiing down the hill. It’s so good to see.” 

McAllister also likes the program because, “Some of the kids can’t go to a mountain and spend hundreds of dollars to ski. They can come here and it’s affordable, and it supports our local hill.”