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Austintown Snowrunners hit the slopes
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Neighbors | Submitted.Snowrunners members Annette Novosel (left), Joan Mitchell, Laura Wilson, Patricia Hrinko, and Alyssa Pandrea paused during a particularly intense ski run last season for a group photo.
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Neighbors | Submitted.Snowrunners differs from other ski or snowboard clubs because it is an organization that welcomes entire families. On the last day of their first season together, Snowrunners families gathered for a photo at the Brandywine resort in Peninsula, Ohio.
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Neighbors | Submitted .The Snowrunners teach their members to always strive to be better and try new things. Although they were longtime skiers, after their first snowboarding lesson Joan Mitchell (left), Jake Johnson, and Matthew Novosel were all smiles as they shared their new knowledge of the sport.
By SARAH FOOR
If you happen to see a member of Austintown’s Snowrunners on your next ski or snowboarding vacation, it is fair to say that you will not see them for long.
With a focus on a family atmosphere, even beginning members and families who join the Snowrunners can be found zooming down the hills of ski resorts in no time.
Although long part of other organizations, the advisers and helpers of the Snowrunners worked to start their own club a year ago.
“We’ve always found that skiing and snowboarding are absolutely wonderful family sports,” shared Snowrunners representative Annette Novosel. “We wanted to create a club that promotes and asks for parents to participate, whether it’s helping with paperwork, organizing, or even getting on the slopes themselves. So far, we’ve definitely found that our parents really appreciate that quality time they spend with their kids out on the snow.”
After finding their own transportation, the members of Snowrunners meet at Brandywine Resort in Peninsula, Ohio, every Saturday from Jan. 7 through the end of March’s winter season. The group accepts all levels of skill. Snowrunners helpers work with the members and their families to improve their skill levels after the members take their weekly lessons from the professionals at Brandywine Resort.
“In our club, we’re very proud of the collaborative atmosphere. Divisions between age groups are nonexistent – the older students are always willing to help out the beginners. Friendships that start on the slopes are the kinds that last for many, many years,” said Novosel.
In their first year as an independent club, Novosel said she is proud of their supportive membership and dedicated family atmosphere. The club is looking forward to expanding in its second season, and planning trips to other nearby resorts.
“Our instructors and helpers are involved because they love the sport. It’s all about the kids and seeing the smiles on their faces,” said Novosel.
The Snowrunners are hosting an informational Kick Off the Season meeting at the Austintown Library in mid-October and will be welcoming a representative from Brandywine/Boston Mills Resort to speak to the membership.
Interested parties from any nearby communities are welcome. For more information on the meeting, contact Annette Novosel at snowrunners@att.net.