by Ryan Coulter ‘12

Fresh powder, clean brisk air and a crucial decision to make: do you join your family for a weekend of bonding on some of the best slopes in the country or do you tag along with friends for a trip full of laughter and adrenaline? The decision between these two options has divided high school winter sport enthusiasts for years.

Skiing with Family

Teenagers in search of a good time often count out family trips.  In fact, if given the chance, many high school teens would rather stay home and hang out with friends than take an entire weekend, let alone an entire week, to travel with their family.

Family ski trips are actually quite the opposite of the dreaded family road trip to which many youth are accustomed. Instead of the dull and monotonous trips families often take, family ski trips enable families to bond through exhilaration in such a way that they could not have at home.

“Since my whole family either skis or snowboards, it’s the only real activity we can all do together,” said senior Nicole Jakobowski who has been snowboarding since the age of 13. “Learning new snowboard techniques from my dad has been a major benefit of going with my family. He has been snowboarding since he was in college and is amazing at it. He was the one who introduced me to the sport in the first place and taught me over the years.”

“My family has a house up in Deep Creek so we go skiing almost every weekend in the winter at Wisp,” said senior David Marin who has skied for six years. “When my family goes to Wisp to ski, I do not have as much stress. I do not have to think about the issues at home or school as much.”

Along with the benefit of spending quality time racing down slopes as a family, teens that take part in these trips are often able to experience the best mountains this country has to offer.

“On the West Coast: Kirkwood in Lake Tahoe [California]. The snow was amazing. You truly can’t find powder like that anywhere near Maryland. On the East Coast: probably Blue Knob [in state]. Although it gets so cold there, the snow is by far some of the best around here. It’s also nice not having to pay for lift tickets to such amazing ski resorts when I go with family,” said Jakobowski.

Whether it be on the West Coast or the East Coast, a family weekend on the slopes is sure to satisfy even the most thrill-seeking teenagers.

Skiing with Friends

From the point of view of the average teenager, a weekend of snowboarding and pure adrenaline sounds like music to the ears; a weekend where he or she can finally be free from the chains of judgment and restrictions.

“By snowboarding with friends versus with family, you can unleash yourself and not worry about waiting for them, being embarrassed, or judged. I also can speed and whitewash people without getting yelled at,” said senior Tory Sanna. “I have been snowboarding for about 11 years now and plan on boarding until both my legs give out.”

The high availability of ski trips for high school students in recent years has enabled many teenagers to experience these exhilarating trips for the first time. From weekend trips to day trips, teens have more and more chances to make life-lasting memories.

“One of the most memorable moments I have had boarding with friends was when we all went up to Mont Tremblant [in Quebec, Canada] on a trip sponsored by a company called ‘Ski Travel,’” said Sanna. “We rode the lift up all the way to the top of the first peak and took the backside run down through the trees and the run was just breathtaking with powder and trees everywhere. I had a smile on my face that whole day that never left. Every run was perfect; there’s nothing like snowboarding with friends on the northern East Coast.”

Given the chance to get away from daily stress and worries, youths who enjoy winter sports are constantly looking for a thrill. A day on the slopes weaving through trees alongside friends is the perfect way to finally feed that thrill. From 20-foot jumps to almost vertical double black diamonds, teens are sure to be satisfied when they leave.