Winter Sports at Lyndon

When fresh white snow covers the ground, students should be ready for their favorite winter activities and be cautious while enjoying the winter wonderland.

    Many people on campus like to participate in winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and other various snow sports.  With the availability of Burke Mountain near campus, students have access to a great mountain with 45 trails.  If you don't have the money, you could instead go snowboarding and skiing right here on campus.  Before you do so, however, you need to make sure you are doing so the right way.

    The first thing you want to do before you decide to ski or snowboard on campus is make sure you are picking a safe spot to do so.  "Every year it (snowboarding on campus) happens," said George Hacking, Director of Public Safety here at LSC.  "We really only enforce snow sports and stop them on campus if they become unsafe."

    Places such as stairs and railings are areas that students are not allowed to ski and snowboard.  Otherwise, places such as the Rita Bole hill and President's Hill are great places to ski or snowboard.

    If you decide to snowboard or ski on campus in an off-limits area, there will be consequences.  "The first time you are caught in an area that is unsafe, a public safety officer will just ask you to stop," said Hacking.  "If you are caught on a second or third offense, you will be written up, and your snowboard or ski's may be confiscated."

    Hacking gave some reasons as to why students are not allowed to ski or snowboard on rails and stairs.  "First, you could do damage to property on campus while you are skiing or snowboarding," Hacking said.  "Also, it is a matter of safety, and the college can be held responsible if you are injured."  Hacking also wanted to add that although it is not required, it is encouraged to wear a helmet to better protect yourself from possible injuries.

    Many students feel that they are able to ride on campus, and that public safety is in not getting in the way of them doing so.  "The club for snowboarding and skiing here on campus does a great job of working with public safety to make sure that the rail jams are safe," said Jackson Stewart, a sophomore who has been snowboarding for 13 years.  "I don't snowboard on campus, but from what I have seen, they do a pretty good job of keeping students safe."

    Even the students who don't ski or snowboard feel Public Safety has done a good job not interfering.  "It seems like everyone who does ski or snowboard on campus has no complaints," said Ed Horan, a sophomore who does not ski or ride.

    There are plenty of other activities that are also allowed on campus.  Sledding and tubing are allowed, as long as you follow the same rules for skiing and snowboarding.  As long as you are following the rules and staying safe, just make sure you do one more thing while enjoying the winter season; Have fun!