SUPERIOR - It’s an annual tradition at one Northland ski hill and it’s the place to go this week to learn how to ski.  It's holiday camp at Mont du Lac. 

For 4 days the week after Christmas, dozens of kids flock to Mont du Lac to learn how to ski, snowboard or just improve their skills.  It’s been an annual tradition at the ski hill for more than 40 years.  "I like the fact that I get to take them and I get to work with them for 4 days in a row and just watch them grow as skiers; see the looks on their faces," said Ski Instructor Cherie LeTourneau.

LeTourneau has been teaching kids how to ski for 25 years; Wednesday she worked with holiday camp's youngest members.  "Watching the little ones go down for the first time is really exciting," said LeTourneau.  "They are working on their turns so they can steer down the hill and control their speed so it's about turns and speed control today."  "We are just practicing going down, doing stops," said 5-year-old Brice King. 

After a little practice on the bunny hill, they were off to something bigger.  "I’m going to race you there," said 4-year-old Sophia Herman.  The goal was to get them to ski down Ridge Run by themselves but some of them didn't quite know what to think about that challenge.  "I’m a little scared to go on that big hill all by myself," said 5-year-old Emily Vermeersch.  "I’m scared of heights," Sophia said.  "If you get going too fast, just sit down, sit down and kind of tip over," said LeTourneau.

After a little encouragement, they gave it a try.  "Good job everyone," said LeTourneau.  But some were still a little apprehensive.  "I’m scared of that, uh, I’m scared of that big hill, are we going straight down there?" Sophia asked.  Sure enough they are and after getting their ski legs, they weren't so nervous.  "Why can't we go straight down the hill?" asked Sophia.  "Because if we go too fast we'll get hurt," said LeTourneau.  "No, I’ll be okay if I go fast," Sophia said.  So fast it was.  "Woo, whoa, kowabunga!"  "I just like skiing," said Vermeersch.

Mont du Lac's holiday hours through January 2nd are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.