December is here and so are winter sports. In Oregon, the snow at Mt. Hood is plentiful, making now the best time to go up.
At Ida B. Wells High School, the ski and snowboard team is ready for the fresh snow, with their senior captains looking forward to the season. All the seniors are chasing the chill on Mt. Hood, but they’re also thinking about their futures.
Generally, the IBW skiing/snowboarding season lasts from November to May. Both teams practice and compete at Mt. Hood, at two main ski resorts, Mt. Hood Meadows and Timberline Lodge.
Meadows is known for a wider variety of terrain with more advanced runs. On the other hand, Timberline is known for its more beginner-friendly runs, along with a longer season due to its ice glaciers.
Sydney Collins, a member of the ski team, has been skiing for seven years. Collins practices at both resorts but prefers Timberline, “I pretty much learned how to ski there, so it has a special place in my heart.”
The atmosphere and experience differ significantly between the two resorts. “[Timberline] is less busy, where Meadows is packed, the lines are always full. I will say that the runs at Meadows are better,” said Collins.
Zevry Laborde, a senior and one of the snowboard team captains, enjoys both resorts. He says, “I like Meadows [in the winter], but in the spring I like Timberline.”
Athletes have to take into account that going up to the slopes for practice also means missing school. “Depending on when the season starts, I will miss at least one or two days a week,” said Collins. Athletes also have to consider costs and accessibility when visiting their favorite sites. “The ski team is less accessible compared to the snowboard bus because it’s more expensive,” she says.
Collins isn’t ready for this ski season to be her last. “I want to possibly race in college if it aligns with my schedule. Racing is something I’m very passionate about. It’s something that I really enjoy.”
Laborde and Kenny Rucker, another senior snowboard team captain, share similar feelings.
Laborde has been snowboarding for five years and plans to continue in college. Rucker has been snowboarding for eight years and wants to continue snowboarding after high school, but not collegiately. Regardless of their future plans, Laborde and Rucker are both passionate snowboarders and enjoy doing it with their friends at school.
As we get into this year’s winter season, snow sports are a great way to spend time with friends and family. If you are planning to go to the mountain, there is no time better than the present.
