Resort thanks

I am writing to acknowledge the community spirit that I have experienced recently from the Whitefish Mountain Resort's Ski School. I also wish to acknowledge the generosity of Sportsman & Ski House.

I am a big brother in the Big Brother Big Sister program and have a little brother, age 14. As the Sportsman provides free rental equipment and the resort provides free lift tickets to little brothers, I have taken Levi skiing several times in the last two years.

Both of those organizations deserve credit for their contributions in helping volunteers like me to provide a fun recreational experience to these young boys and girls who otherwise would probably not have the opportunity.

This year, Levi decided he wanted to try snowboarding. Having no experience on a board, I told him I could not give him much help. He struggled the first morning and was getting very frustrated. I feared that this was not going to be a good day.

I spotted Bill Cubbage, the Whitefish Mountain Resort Ski School director and decided to ask him if there was any way he could help. He immediately arranged for Levi to take an afternoon lesson free of charge. Well, that changed the whole day. Levi had a great time, learned the basics and was eager to go again.

We went again March 28. When we appeared to get Levi's lift ticket, a ski school employee, Todd, remembered us and spontaneously asked if Levi would like another lesson. What generosity. So with this help and support, Levi had another great day and is on his way to enjoying a new found sport.

I think the outcome would have been far different without those lessons. Hats off to Whitefish Mountain Resort, the ski school and Sportsman & Ski House. You make a difference in this community.

David Trousdale

Whitefish