Skiers and snowboarders gather at the foot of the mountain. Photo by Tony Hinojosa
Pajarito Mountain Ski Patrol member Bill Somers watches young skiers getting ready for their lessons. Photo by Mike O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com
More than 150 fifth and sixth grade students from the five local elementary schools participated in ski and snowboard lessons for three Wednesday afternoons this season at Pajarito Mountain. The program was started at Mountain Elementary School by PE teacher Tony Hinojosa for fifth graders more than 10 years ago and following a break during the COVID-19 pandemic is back in full swing.
“With the help of Jasen Bellomy, the new general manager at Pajarito and Ski School director Rick Hinckley, we decided to expand the program to include sixth graders,” Hinojosa said. “They were very generous and offered the students free season passes as well as a deeply-discounted rate on rental equipment and lessons.”
Hinojosa said Pajarito Mountain opened the Beginner Area just for the students even though Pajarito is closed to the public on Wednesdays.
“The Los Alamos Ski Club provided funding for the school buses needed as well as scholarships for any students that couldn’t afford to participate in the program. We took the students up to Pajarito for ski and snowboard lessons on Wednesday afternoons for three weeks,” he said. “It was amazing to see how much the kids progressed in those three weeks.”
Unfortunately, Hinojosa said, if the Public Education Department takes away the Wednesday afternoon planning time at the elementary schools, he is not sure if the program can be continued next year.
Hinojosa has been competing in the United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association (USASA) for more than 30 over years.
“Over the years, I have been the Regional Champion in all five disciplines (Slalom, Giant Slalom, Halfpipe, Slopestyle and my favorite, Boardercross). I have also been National Champion in Slopestyle and Boardercross,” he said.
Last year, Hinojosa was crowned the Overall National Champion for the Legends Class (40-49yrs old) by reaching the podium in all five disciplines. For the past eight years, he and his wife Tiffany have been the directors of the USASA Southwest Freeride Series. They host contests all over Northern New Mexico (mostly Angel Fire and Red River) and have helped develop many National Champions over the years.
On February 18, Tony received the Spirit of the West Award from Champions of Youth Ambitions. He was nominated by Mountain Elementary, School principal Megan Lee.
Fifth and sixth grade snowboarders hang out during lessons at Pajarito Mountain. Photo by Mike O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Scene from the final session of ski and snowboard lessons for fifth and sixth grade students at Pajarito Mountain. Photo by Mike O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Tony Hinojosa received the Spirit of the West Award February 18 from Champion of Youth Ambitions. He is pictured here with CY’A board members, from left, Kate Stoddard, Gabriel Vigil and executive director Bernadette Lauritzen. Photo by Chad Lauritzen