Some of the gym classes at ACHS have the privilege to go out and use a set of cross country skis to work out instead of the usual running around or mindless activity. For the past month the physical education 3/4 classes and adventure education have been going around the school property testing out these skis.

The school acquired the skis back in 1997 in order to expand the offerings that gym gave to the students. With only a few repairs and replacements, the set is mostly the same as the ones purchased 19 years ago. But entertaining students is not the only reason they were bought, the skis serve as a great conditioning exercise for winter sports.

When the class uses them, they will go in a circle next to the baseball diamond most of the time. But on an odd occasion, the classes venture out to McMillan field to go down the hill for some extra fun.

“ It wasn’t great when we were going around the flat land, but going down the hill was much more fun,” junior Edward Weber said, “It was hard to balance and was actually challenging.”

Outside the school, the skis have a great use for hiking in snowy areas. Cross country skis can help you achieve over 20 miles a day, when snowshoes only reach five miles before the day’s end. They can go on all trails, unless specifically stated by the park itself.

So once the snow falls next year, or the random chance a snow day arrives in February, get yourself a pair of skis, plan a trip through one of the hiking trails in Wisconsin and Illinois, grab a friend or two, and get ready to have a trip like no other in the wilderness of the Midwest.