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Providing skiing for youth in Kittitas County
Courtesy: Denee Skistad

Providing skiing for youth in Kittitas County

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Jeff Hashimoto and his wife, Carey, founded the Ellensburg Ski Team in 2008, and it is still going strong in 2022, with approximately 40 team members. As a 501c3 organization, there is no cost to join and the organization can even provide a scholarship opportunity for equipment. So, if you want to learn to cross country ski, this is your chance.

The team ranges from youth ages 7-18 and instructed on classic style cross country skiing and skating, focusing on having fun and learning proper technique. All participants are welcome regardless of their experience. If you’re a beginner or an expert, come ski on the team. If you’re a parent, you’re not left out, and you’re welcome to ski with the team too.

“I love skiing and ski racing,” Jeff said when asked what interested him in starting a ski team. “I wanted to provide that opportunity to kids in Ellensburg, including my own who are now grown.

“I love teaching and coaching. Cross country skiing is a lifelong sport. It is so great to have something to enjoy in the outdoors during the winter. We love sharing skiing, cross country skiing for youth ages 7-18 with youth in the community”.

Practice times will depend on your age and what group/level you are in, but generally, they practice three or four times during the week with some weekends. Ski location will depend on snow conditions: Rotary Park, Elk Heights, Manastash, or Blewett.

Jeff wants you to know that even though the team partners with the City of Ellensburg Parks Department to groom and maintain the trails at Rotary Park, these trails are open to the community, so don’t feel guilty if you’re skiing on “their” trails, it’s meant for you too.

Overall, this is a great program to introduce your youngster to the sport of cross country skiing/skating while seeing parts of our county that otherwise, they may never see. Being in mother nature during the winter months can be magical. A big thank you to the Hashimoto family for supporting our kids in Kittitas County!

More information available here.

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