Students at Marriotts Ridge have been hitting the slopes this year, with it being one of the snowiest winters in recent memory. Every seven years, El Niño occurs. Which is an environmental phenomena that results in a massive increase in precipitation across the Northeast of the United States. Mustangs have traveled far and wide to go ski and snowboard, and are spending time at the slopes nearby.
The snow this season has been plentiful, with multiple blizzards sweeping across the northeast. However, the season got off to a slow start.
“I went to Killington, Vermont over winter break… the conditions were not very good,” stated junior Luke Holland.
Temperatures were too high for snow early in the season. While precipitation was still abundant on the east coast, it primarily fell in the form of rain.
“It was super foggy and the snow was all artificial. The powder was really just not all that great. We only hit the slopes for one day; it was super rainy for the rest of the trip,” commented senior Anna Hendrickson, who visited New Hampshire during winter break.
This season had a rough start, not getting the wintery weather that skiers and snowboarders love. However, that all changed in the middle of January. A storm swung across the Atlantic northeast, providing six or more inches of brand new powder everywhere north of Pennsylvania. Ski resorts had been open in a limited capacity before these storms, but their base layer was nearly depleted on the very few slopes that were open. This storm provided one of the best base layers in recent memory, providing ample powder for winter sports enthusiasts. In mid February, another large storm system went through the mountains of the northeast, keeping the powder fresh.
“During the middle of December, my friends and I went on a long weekend trip to Seven Springs. There was so much snow, it was the most I have seen there. Almost the whole mountain was open and multiple tree runs made the trip very enjoyable,” expresses editor in chief of The Stallion, Zach Vernick.
The weather phenomenon, El Niño, has brought joy to the winter sports community at Marriotts Ridge High School, and students like Vernick are taking advantage.
“The pow at Breckenridge was crazy, I had so much fun on the slopes. I went for a week on the first of February. I couldn’t do any of the blues because they were too hard for me but the bunny slopes were a blast,” commented senior Byrce Pistorio.
Pistorio is committed to making the most out of the best conditions he has ever witnessed. Even amateurs can enjoy the winter sports season.
Skiing and snowboarding are popular sports that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of strength, size, or background. This snowy season has delighted numerous Marriotts Ridge students, giving them the opportunity to hit the slopes at mountains with their best conditions in years.