What started as a simple idea between two educators who loved skiing has grown into one of the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District’s most popular and enduring extracurricular programs.
Now celebrating its 10th season, the WBSD Yeti Ski Club serves students in grades 6–12 from Woodhaven Upper Elementary, Brownstown Middle School, and Woodhaven High School. With anywhere from 80 to 100 students participating each year - and waitlists to prove it - the club continues to thrive.
Superintendent Mark Greathead and Brownstown Middle School Principal Andrew Clark serve as the club’s advisors. Both grew up skiing and saw an opportunity to bring that experience to WBSD students.
“Mark and I both skied, and we thought, ‘Why don’t we start a ski club?’” Clark said. “We started it together, and here we are 10 years later.”
In the early years, Clark and Greathead were joined by Cheryl McEmeel and Lori Holder as the four primary organizers. With leadership representation spanning grades 6–7, 8–9, and high school, the group built a structure that worked - and one that allowed the program to grow steadily.
Each season, the Yeti Ski Club offers multiple trips, beginning with a popular day trip that often requires two buses. Later trips allow students to choose which outings they attend, but demand remains high. This season alone, 92 students participated on the most recent trip.
“We’re full every year, and we usually have a waiting list,” Clark said.
The club originally traveled to Pine Knob during its first five years, but eventually transitioned to Mt. Holly to better support student learning - especially for beginners.
“We have kids who come in with zero skills - who have never been on skis or a snowboard before,” Clark explained. “Mt. Holly allows us to provide a better ski school experience. On that first trip alone, we might have nine or more instructors working with our students.”
All students are required to take a lesson on the first trip to assess their skill level. From there, they earn color-coded patches - green for beginners through black for expert riders—allowing them to progress as their skills improve.
“You have students who really want to show their growth,” Clark said. “They’re talking on the bus about what they want to try next, learning tricks, pushing themselves, and getting better each trip.”
That growth is one of the most rewarding parts of the club for both advisors.
“You see students come in as sixth graders and stick with it all the way through senior year,” Clark said. “Even my own child improved year after year and was able to take on bigger hills.”
Students can choose between skiing and snowboarding, and regardless of skill level, the emphasis is always on fun, confidence, and community.
Superintendent Mark Greathead says the club offers students far more than just time on the slopes.
“They develop friendships, independence, and confidence,” Greathead said. “They’re learning to try something new, take risks, and commit to getting better.”
Greathead, who skied growing up, credits his own school ski club experience - and the relationships he built with advisors - for shaping his lifelong love of the sport.
“I just love being out there with the students,” he said. “From the bus rides to the lessons to skiing alongside them - it’s all about building those connections.”
After a decade of snowy nights, full buses, earned patches, and countless memories, the Yeti Ski Club continues to be a highlight for students across the district.
As Greathead likes to say: “Think snow.”