The AHS Skiers have officially made their mascot an after-school sport. The high school’s alpine ski racing program gives a chance for Aspen students to get out on snow and ski race.

Dryland practice is held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until the on-snow training begins. Athletes are required to have five practices before their first race.

New coach Fordy Sinkinson has experience coaching alpine and adaptive ski racers with AVSC. Sinkonson will work with Stephanie Nixon to coach the AHS team.

There are five races this season, including one home race on February 6. The top skiers will qualify for the state championships, which are scheduled for February 19-20 at Keystone.

According to Junior Hanna Mass, “It’s a great ski team and lots of fun.”

Mass’s teammate and classmate Nikki Blizzard said, “It’s a really fun program that involves interaction with other high schools. It’s a friendly competitive sport.”

This is Blizzard’s third year on the high school team. She has qualified for states during the past two years.

Blizzard said she is looking forward to working again with Sinkinson, her former coach from AVSC.

“I’ve only had one practice with Fordy, but I can tell that he wants us to do well and pushes our physical bodies to the absolute minute. He is a great and fun coach that I have had many good experiences with in the past.”

High school skiers race giant slalom and slalom events. In order to qualify for states, athletes must finish at least two races.

For more information about the Aspen Skiers’ 2014/15 season, please contact Fordy Sinkinson at [email protected] or Stephanie Nixon  at [email protected].