Whether at home or at practice with his Brandon-Oxford ski teammates, Justin Hickmott is doing his best to stay in shape for skiing.
A lack of snow has prevented Hickmott, 17, an Oxford High School junior, and his teammates from taking to the slopes at Mt. Holly Ski Course, 13536 S. Dixie Highway, Holly, since mid-December.
In the meantime, the team is taking a unique approach to staying in shape: roller blading outside Brandon High School, 1025 S. Ortonville Road, Ortonville.
The team has alternated practicing between Brandon and Oxford High Schools, and part of their routine at Brandon is setting up poles on a ramp near the Brandon High School storage garage, in much the same manner a ski course is set up.
Once they are done setting up, the skiers rollerblade through the course to simulate skiing downhill. While it is not the same as actual skiing, the team members say the exercise has its benefits.
Hickmott said the exercise is a good supplement to a device he has at home. ‘I have a Fitter, which simulates angulation (skiing at an angle), so that helps,? he said.
Brandon-Oxford Ski Coach Ed Haley, who has been teaching skiing since 1980 in the Waterford school district, at Alpine Valley, and now with the Brandon-Oxford ski team, said he has never dealt with a situation like this in his years of ski instruction.
‘It’s been hard keeping the kids focused and interested,? he said.
Haley said he anticipates the team will miss a couple meets because of the unusually warm weather, ‘which is a shame.? The team was scheduled to start its season Jan. 10-11 against Holly.
Another Brandon-Oxford skier, Oxford sophomore Anthony Sottile, 15, said the exercises have helped to fill the void left by the lack of snow.
‘It helps us get in the mood of going through the gates, as well as basic body motion and angulation,? he said. ‘Every time I hear we have warm weather, it gets pretty frustrating.?
Brandon sophomore Casey Drayton, 15, said he has traveled up north to Nub’s Knob (between Petoskey and Harbor Springs) to get in some practice.