WINONA, Minn. — Heidi Ledermann fully admits that she is either skiing … or she's thinking about skiing.

The Saint Mary's University freshman from Mahtomedi, Minn., could easily become the national spokesperson for Noric skiing. Her face lights up when she talks—rapidly and passionately—about the winter sport. Even her body temperature seems to have adapted to her favorite pastime, as Ledermann doesn't always require a coat to walk across campus, even in the middle of winter.

And her enthusiasm is contagious. Under her leadership, Saint Mary's University has formed a Nordic Ski Club, and interest in skiing is rapidly growing across the Winona Campus.

The Biology Pre-Physical Therapy major began seriously skiing in the eighth grade after basketball knee injuries forced her to think about changing sports.

As a freshman, Ledermann made varsity. She eventually was named captain of her high school team and garnered several honors, including being named all-conference.

"It's where I made my best friends and made some of my fondest memories of high school," she said.

Following graduation, there was no way Ledermann was choosing a college in sunny Florida. "My No. 1 rule was to go to college where there was snow. It had to be a school I could ski at," she said. Unfortunately, she found that not many colleges have ski programs, and those that do require competitors to be one of only a few top skiers in the state to qualify for their programs.

Recruited as a runner by Saint Mary's instead, Ledermann fell in love with the campus the first time she visited. "I saw the bluffs and I knew I could see myself here," she said.

She enjoyed running through the wooded trails in fall, but knew that when the snow began to fall, she needed to be out there skiing … as well as encouraging others to enjoy the trails, both recreationally and competitively.

"We have something here not like any other schools," she said. "We have 16.5 K of trails accessible right on campus, 2.5K of lighted trails, snowmaking equipment, and a ski center. That's something no other school in the Midwest has. It's an incredible resource."

She calls the first day she was able to ski on Saint Mary's trails this winter "breathtaking." "I had to stop so many times and look around. The sun was setting. I could hear animals in the trees. It was a 'Sup God' moment. I love being in nature, being close to God, doing something I am passionate about and a gift that I've been given."

Ledermann connected with the Cotter High School ski team in Winona and began working with Brother John Grover, FSC '65 who teaches a ski class at Saint Mary's.

But even with those outlets, Ledermann missed the thrill of competing and began talking with university officials about starting a Nordic Ski Club team. "I never realized I'd have so much support from the school," she said. "I discovered there had been a lot of thought about having a ski club. It just needed an instigator to give it a nudge."

Consider Ledermann an excellent nudger. In just a short time, the Nordic Ski Club formed with 21 members of varying abilities. During its start-up year, Ledermann has focused on obtaining coaching, budgeting, and scheduling. She's also worked closely with the Office of Admission in recruiting other passionate skiers.

"I don't see anything stopping us next year from being competitive and doing well, even when competing against Division I schools," she said.

While garnering support for the club, Ledermann also hopes to inspire others to get out on the trails and take up skiing.

"It's something you can do together as a family," she said. "It's something you can enjoy throughout your life, and you can pick it up at any age. It doesn't have to be an expensive sport because you can pick up used equipment. It's low impact, as well as a great cardiovascular and whole-body workout. And I believe that you are physically healthy, you are mentally healthy."

She describes skiers as a true community, as people who are "all outside at 20 below but still having a blast. They're a different breed," she said. "People out on the trails are smiling; no one ever seems to be having a bad day."

Learn more about the Nordic Ski Club at http://www.saintmaryssports.com/index.aspx?path=nsc&