For the fourth year running, Sanford Middle School students are experiencing the thrill of winter through the school's popular Ski Club, and this year has seen the highest participation yet with 36 students. Sanford Middle School Math Teacher Penny Christie is the club's advisor, and has been passionate about bringing skiing back to Sanford schools since she arrived. "I've been wanting to start the ski club since I got here," Christie said. She previously taught at Willard, where Mr. Levasseur ran a similar program years ago. With strong support from administrators, Christie's vision became reality once COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. The club takes students to Pleasant Mountain for four trips throughout the winter, welcoming both skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels. With nearly 40 students on the mountain, safety remains a top priority. The program employs a comprehensive buddy system and hourly check-ins using a tracking system. Eight adult volunteers participate each trip, with four teachers stationed in the lodge and four on the mountain. For students like Jaxson Tranchemontagne and Rylan Delafontaine, the ski club offers a chance to spend time with friends and classmates. "It's been fun because when you go on the bus, you have people you know," Delafontaine said. Tranchemontagne, who snowboards, shared that his favorite part is "just snowboarding at the mountain." Both students plan to continue with the club throughout middle school. When asked if it's scary going down the mountain, Delafontaine acknowledged the challenge. "Not on the bunny ones, but like, halfway up the mountain, it's kind of steep," he said. "It's just because you can see everything around." The program welcomes complete beginners who take their first lessons on the conveyor belt in the beginner area, as well as more experienced students who tackle challenging runs higher up the mountain. Christie finds special joy in watching newcomers discover the sport. "Just the pride in their face. Some will say 'oh, Miss Christie, come look and see what I'm doing,'" she said. "It's so cool." After students complete their lessons, Christie often joins them on the chairlift, sometimes even accompanying them all the way to the summit. All eight adults who make the trips possible are volunteers, something Christie doesn't take for granted. "We're all volunteers, so it's really great. I feel really lucky that we get to do it," she said. The trips also provide a welcome break during the winter months for both students and staff. "It's nice to see the kids in a different light," Christie explained. "It's different when you're skiing."

Sanford Middle School Ski Club Hits the Slopes

Sanford School Department

January 23, 2026

For the fourth year running, Sanford Middle School students are experiencing the thrill of winter through the school's popular Ski Club, and this year has seen the highest participation yet with 36 students.

Sanford Middle School Math Teacher Penny Christie is the club's advisor, and has been passionate about bringing skiing back to Sanford schools since she arrived. "I've been wanting to start the ski club since I got here," Christie said.

She previously taught at Willard, where Mr. Levasseur ran a similar program years ago. With strong support from administrators, Christie's vision became reality once COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.

The club takes students to Pleasant Mountain for four trips throughout the winter, welcoming both skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels. With nearly 40 students on the mountain, safety remains a top priority. The program employs a comprehensive buddy system and hourly check-ins using a tracking system. Eight adult volunteers participate each trip, with four teachers stationed in the lodge and four on the mountain.

For students like Jaxson Tranchemontagne and Rylan Delafontaine, the ski club offers a chance to spend time with friends and classmates. "It's been fun because when you go on the bus, you have people you know," Delafontaine said. Tranchemontagne, who snowboards, shared that his favorite part is "just snowboarding at the mountain."

Both students plan to continue with the club throughout middle school. When asked if it's scary going down the mountain, Delafontaine acknowledged the challenge. "Not on the bunny ones, but like, halfway up the mountain, it's kind of steep," he said. "It's just because you can see everything around."

The program welcomes complete beginners who take their first lessons on the conveyor belt in the beginner area, as well as more experienced students who tackle challenging runs higher up the mountain. Christie finds special joy in watching newcomers discover the sport. "Just the pride in their face. Some will say 'oh, Miss Christie, come look and see what I'm doing,'" she said. "It's so cool." After students complete their lessons, Christie often joins them on the chairlift, sometimes even accompanying them all the way to the summit.

All eight adults who make the trips possible are volunteers, something Christie doesn't take for granted. "We're all volunteers, so it's really great. I feel really lucky that we get to do it," she said.

The trips also provide a welcome break during the winter months for both students and staff. "It's nice to see the kids in a different light," Christie explained. "It's different when you're skiing."