WOODBURY- As the winter season sets in and snow begins to fall, most people retreat indoors to escape the cold. But for junior Grayson Leveille, this is a signal to return to his second home: the ski slopes.
Leveille’s passion for skiing started at the age of four, when his dad first introduced him to the sport. As Leveille progressed from ‘pizza,’ his love for skiing only snowballed as he discovered a passion for racing as a member of the Sundown Ski team, competing in skiing events, and growing his list of achievements.
“I made tristates for CYSL,” Leveille says, “and I got 40th at tristate finals last year.”
CYSL tristates (Connecticut Youth Ski League) is a competitive competition for a select group of skiers who qualified from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.
Those achievements didn’t come out of nowhere, though.
“Last year I had pretty intense practice four days a week,” Leveille says, “It was just a matter of consistently practicing that got me to where I am now.”
His passion for skiing goes much farther than just competing, he also uses his experience to teach others how to ski.
“I’m planning on volunteering to teach a program that shows little kids how to ski,” says Leveille.
Levielle even offered to teach his friend, Nonnewaug junior Cameron Packett, how to ski.
“Me and Cameron have been really good friends for a long time, so I figured since skiing is a great thing to do with a friend I should teach him so we could actually go together,” Leveille says.
Packett was more than thankful for the opportunity.
“I was never able to go, so I was really grateful when he offered me the opportunity to learn from him,” Packett says.
Teaching someone how to ski is an intricate process and requires someone with great skill and knowledge, which is why Packett sought help from Leveille.
“I’ve seen him ski before, and I knew he’s had lots of experience competing, so I knew he knew what he was talking about,” Packett says.
The process was long and tedious, with many challenges along the way.
“I barely knew anything before he taught me, I was a rookie,” Packett says. “I remember there was one time where I kept falling off the exit to the ski lift, and I couldn’t seem to find out how to get off.”
“I had to start from scratch with him,” Leveille agrees. “He had no idea how to ski so it was pretty difficult and took many trips down the bunny hill, but it eventually worked out.”
Maddie Holtman, a freshman at Nonnewaug, frequently skis with Leveille and observes his commitment to the sport.
“As a skier, he’s definitely really good and puts a lot of effort into what he does,” Holtman says. “You tell by how he acts when he skis that he’s really dedicated to the sport.”
Holtman also admires his commitment to guiding others using his expertise in skiing.
“Every time when I ski with him, he encourages other people and acts as a leader for the group,” says Holtman.
Leveille’s passion for skiing goes way beyond competing. He is always willing to help others learn and grow in their own skiing experience.
“He’s overall a great friend and person to be around,” says Packett. “I think that is what really makes him a great leader.”
