Sliding through ski season on a budget

by Nicholas Burch

cording to Berkhimer.

staff writer Two things that can really add up are the poles and boots.

With the presence of autumn leaves and the colder weather approaching, it is only a matter of time before the first snow storm of the season. Due to the forecast of a bad winter, ski resorts are enthusiastically preparing for what has potential to be a great ski season. The extra snow that is expected could turn even the casual skier into a serious fan of the slopes.

For those of you who have never felt the rush of wind against your face as you blaze down a snow-covered hill or gazed out at the mountaintops around you, here is all the information you need to get started.

For the college student who does not want to feel a pinch on his or her wallet, this is a guide to the necessary equipment a student on a budget needs to hit the slopes.

Ski equipment can cost more than expected, and often, ski shops try to make a considerable amount of commission from ski enthusiasts. Equipment such as bindings, boots, poles, skis and clothing accessories can cost more than expected, which is why a budget needs to exist.

To start, you need skis, ones that will not deflate the budget but expensive enough to protect you. Ski prices range from $260 to $690. In terms of price, go with the $260. Rossignol Ski, according to Brian Berkhimer, sales associate at Buckman's ski shop in King of Prussia. This is the cheapest, will improve the progress of beginning skiers. It has a wider foot space and makes it easier to pivot for beginners.

The real damage to the student's budget is the skis. Next you need bindings for the skis. These vary from $25 to $300. Go with the Salmon Q500, which cost $69. They are worth the price because they can improve your skiing stability, ac-

Poles average between $25 to $250. The boots range from $70 to $350. Berkhimer says that buying poles and boots are not a worthwhile investment for students with a budget.

"If a student does not ski a lot, then do not bother buying skis-just rent them," Berkhimer said.

"It's a lot cheaper that way."

Buckman' s offers a variety of rental plans, but the most common form of renting is to rent your equipment for the entire ski season.

"Our ski season, in terms of renting, is from now until April," said Berkhimer.

The total cost of renting is $200. For a student who is a casual skier, this is the best form of budgeting. It could cost over $200 just to buy the poles and the boots; instead, you can have poles, boots, skies and bindings. There are other package deals, but with a budget, this one works best.

Now that the main equipment is out of the way, you need to find room in the budget for all of the other skiing essentials. Even though price is the most significant factor when working with a budget, when it comes to clothes you have to go all out. It is worth the price to stay warm.

Ski pants will average between $75 and $125. Make sure that the clothing you buy has something with a fleece material, according to Dave Potts, manager ofWilburger's ski shop in Abington. Ski vests can cost upwards of $150, but you can buy one for $50 that will provide the same protection. According to Berkhimer, as Jong as the clothes have fleece material, they will provide the same amount of protection from the cold. Here are some other items with their estimated prices:

Jacket $85-$400

Hat $6--$8

Gloves $12-$30

Headband $5-$10

Long underwear $20-$25

Socks $10-$15

Prices at stores will vary, but it depends on the amount of business each ski store had last ski season. Potts says that prices are at a dramatic low because of the weather last year.

"Because of last year's mild winter we have lots of products on sale now," Potts said.

At Wtlburger's, skis start at $49 and bindings are as low as $75. Wtlburger's, along with Buckman's, offers reasonable prices for certain items. It depends on the sale and the equipment-for both stores.

Now that you have the skis, what do you do with them? Try going to a ski resort in the Poconos. With the right type of ski package, you will be able to fit a ski resort in the budget. Try Camelback, located in the Poconos, for their ski packages.

At Camelback, you can rent your equipment and clothes for an affordable price. Three-day rentals are $60 and equipment is $22 a day. Camelback also offers group rates as low as $22 a day. Unfortunately, you cannot stay at Carnelback. You will need to find lodging elsewhere, such as the Budget Mote] in East Stroudsburg, which is located only ten minutes away.

Beauty comes from within for one student

Senior Dana Lipps has been offered a modeling job with Victoria's Secret. Lipps has cerebral palsy, but she has not let the disability hold her back in any way. Her positive attitude is even contagious to others around her.

by Bridget Egan

staff writer

Anyone with a self-esteem problem should take advice from Cabrini's own Victoria's Secret model. She is a senior who describes herself as a loner, and she walks with two canes.

Dana Lipps, a liberal arts major, has dedicated her life to being happy, and that fight seems to be paying off. The fact that Lipps has cerebral palsy may make those who do not know her pity her, but speak to her for a few minutes and that inclination quickly vanishes.

One of Dana' s joys is modeling. She started when she was in high school, but took a short hiatus during her first year at Cabrini. In her sophomore through senior years, though, she rededicated herself to something that she refers to as "a fun hobby."

When Lipps first started sending pictures to different agencies like Elite and Ford, she was rejected. That rejection, however, did not dampen her spirit or her devotion to herself. For Lipps, being a model starts with self-confidence.

"You're selling yourself, your look," she said. '1'hey're not all going to love you. It could be something as ridiculous as the shape of your mouth that they hate."

The harsh narcissism of the modeling world might have dampened other's spirits, but this model has a beauty that comes from within.

"Beautiful doesn't mean that you have to look typical," Lipps says. "Why am I going to accept my disability as stopping me?"

Lipps' sprit. affected Peggy Barrett, administrative secretary of the Cabrini Mission Corps. She found Lipps' dedication admirable and gutsy.

her to to her

Recently, Lipps received word that people with Victoria's Secret saw some of the pictures she sent to New York's top modeling agencies. Now she may have the opportunity to appear in the catalog as a pajama model.

"She [Dana] wouldn't give up in her quest to be a model," Barrett said. "I really admire her and her story can strengthen all of us."

Barrett heard Lipps' story over lunch several weeks ago and in the few minutes that she listened to Lipps talk, Barrett

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