After the festivity of the holiday season has passed, and the brutal winter months settle in, it can be difficult to find ways to stay active and rejuvenated. However, the cold weather and snow also provide a special opportunity to partake in a sport only accessible during this time. If you’re like many other Sion students seeking a rush of adrenaline and a chance to release stress, it’s time to hit the slopes and go skiing. 

“I love how it’s such a different experience, and I like that it’s just in the winter because it keeps it more special. ” junior Vivi Drosos said. “Skiing is just something to look forward to, and it shows you the beauty of nature and winter.” 

Drosos has been skiing her whole life. She grew up and lived in Germany until the end of 2017. While living there, Drosos spent many winter weekends and holidays skiing in the Swiss Alps. Since living in Kansas City, she and her family have made trips to Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, and Vail in Colorado to continue living out their passion for the sport. Junior Liliana Simpson also makes the frequent  journey to Colorado, where her family has a house in Edwards Colorado, near the Vail and Beaver Creek slopes. 

“I started skiing when I was about three years old. I probably go three to four times a year  depending on how many breaks I have during the school year,” Simpson said. “During COVID, my mom and I just decided to stay up in Colorado for practically the whole year, and I decided to go for the Vail ski team.”

Simpson made the team and attended the weekly practices in Colorado, while still officially living and attending school in Kansas City. As an advanced skier, Simpson is comfortable skiing on almost any terrain, however skiing can be just as much fun with any amount of experience. For advanced and beginner skiers alike, once you master the basics, skiing becomes a serene yet ecstatic way to exercise, immerse in nature, bond with friends, and relinquish any worries.

“I love skiing. It is so fun, and it’s a different way to just be active and get yourself out and moving,” senior Nora Conway said. “And I’ve always done it with my family, so I have great memories doing it.”

If you have never been skiing before, it is easy to get started. After just a day or two, most people are able to confidently make it down the slopes. While the costs of skiing does add up, there are some ways to reduce the price, like renting or borrowing ski equipment and buying lift tickets on reduced price days or far in advance. And, if you’re interested in learning or continuing to ski for fun in college, many colleges have ski clubs that fully cover the cost of student ski trips.

“I would recommend skiing, because it’s a hobby that can grow with you. 
You see a ton of older people still skiing, like my parents still ski and you’ll see grandparents on the slopes,” Drosos said. “It’s so calm and you can do it at your own pace. You really get out of it as much as you want.” 

With a pass, some rented gear, and a little ambition, just one hour from Sion’s campus you can lose yourself in the wonders of skiing. Snow Creek Ski Area is located in Platte County and has a few slopes, with difficulty ranging from green (beginner) to black diamond (advanced) and makes for a full and satisfactory day.

“[Snow Creek] is a great place to learn how to ski, especially for people who have never done it before,” Drosos said. “It’s a good place to start and just try something new, but I think it’s really fun. The food at their lodge is also so good.”