Outdoor Recreation expands winter inventory

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Abigail Klein
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  With the South Dakota winter in full swing, newly arrived Airmen and their families may need help determining what outdoor activities they can do, or where to find the equipment to do it.

Fortunately, Ellsworth Outdoor Recreation has a variety of winter solutions for Airmen new to the Black Hills area, or for Airmen readjusting to cooler temperatures.

"I hate to think of all the Airmen that feel they can't do anything but sit inside the dorms, especially during the winter," said Al Nelson, Outdoor Recreation manager.

To help combat this problem, the Outdoor Recreation staff has not only increased their normal, warmer weather activity supply of kayaks, fishing poles and bikes, they have also upgraded their inventory of winter weather supplies.

Included among this new inventory are 220 snow boots, approximately 170 cross country and downhill skis, in both children's and adult sizes, which can be fitted and rented throughout the whole season for $100, or by day for $11.

Lynn Clark, spouse of Maj. Christopher Clark, 28th Operations Support Squadron director of operations, recently rented a pair of the new downhill skis for her four-year-old son.

"My family and I just moved back to Ellsworth six months ago," Mrs. Clark said, "The staff was very helpful in finding the skis I needed and I couldn't believe all the other equipment they offered."

Other equipment in Outdoor Recreation's inventory includes four winterized snowmobiles (added last February), all-terrain vehicles, 36 new snowboards and toboggan sleds.

In addition to the availability of renting boots and skis, the rental prices are on average $50 cheaper than local outdoor outfitters, said Mrs. Clark.

For Airmen who prefer to get away from the local area to relax, Outdoor Recreation also offers discounted tickets to Rapid City Rush hockey games and family theme parks nationwide. The staff is also currently planning group trips to sporting events as well as skiing, snowboarding and trips to places like Deer Mountain and Terry Peak.

Whether it's a ski trip with the family or sledding the Black Hills, Outdoor Recreation is willing to help Ellsworth's Airmen.

For more information, visit the Ellsworth force support squadron web site which can be reached through www.ellsworth.af.mil. Outdoor Recreation is open Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., and can be contacted at (605) 385-2997.