While some dread the news of a huge snow storm, members of the Long Island Cross Country Ski Club are applauding Juno’s recent work which left behind over 20 inches in some areas of the island. Many took advantage of the snow and skied in local areas including Bethpage State Park Golf Course which was filled with cross country skiers after the storm.
“This snow storm is definitely a good one for skiers, and we will be getting a lot of skiing out of it,” said John Bennett, president of the Long Island Cross Country Ski Club. “It may not be fun to shovel, but it provides great skiing opportunities.”
Now that Long Island witnessed its first big snow storm, Kenneth Wong, vice president, is hopeful that there will be many more opportunities to ski on the Long Island this winter, and he is encouraging others to join the club.
“It is a lot of fun, and the camaraderie is the best aspect of being in the club,” said Wong. “We travel to great local spots and to more distant places like Eagle Mountain in New Hampshire.”
Bennett also believes the camaraderie is the best part of being in the club
“You get to meet people who also like the sport, and you get to ski together and make friends,” said Bennett.
Those who live near Bethpage State Park are near one of the best places to go cross country skiing on the island.
“It’s a great area because it’s out in the open, it’s maintained and it’s a good place to learn how to cross country ski because it’s large and isn’t crowded,” said Bennett. “It’s a good place if you live nearby because you can park your car, put on your equipment and ski.”
Wong also believe Bethpage State Park is a good place to cross country ski.
“The area is very nice. There are enough hills to challenge the advanced skiers. It also has flat areas for beginners to practice,” he said.
The club meets at the Old Bethpage Library once a month during ski season which begins in November and ends in March. During meetings club members discuss trips, have guest speakers and often have exercise sessions.
“The meetings are helpful. We learn ways to exercise and we have discussions about skiing. We even had a speaker come in and discuss skiing equipment,” said Wong.
To learn more about the Long Island Cross Country Ski Club, visit www.liccsc.org.
