It’s skiing season, and the alpine team is gearing up for long, cold nights on the slopes.

Practices are long and grueling—the athletes are typically at practice from 3-8 p.m., but the tight-knit team takes advantage of the down time on the bus and in between runs by helping each other with homework and cracking jokes.

“It’s pretty much just hanging out with your friends for four hours after school. Who wouldn’t have fun with that?” sophomore Fremont Forsberg said.

Sophomore Sam Steinhacker recalls one of his favorite memories from last season: “There was a practice where it had snowed and they hadn’t gotten the groomers out, so it wasn’t safe for us to set a course, so we just goofed around on the small hills doing one-ski races and stuff, and going up the magic carpets just for fun.

“The times where we can’t practice so we just mess around and enjoy ourselves are some of the best memories,” he said.

Races aren’t the only enjoyable aspect of the season, according to Steinhacker.

“The bus rides where you’re talking and hanging out, and the time before a race or before a practice is all really fun. The amount of commitment it requires brings in people who truly have a love for the sport, so people are happy to be there.”

Even though it’s difficult to keep up with homework because of the long time commitment, junior captain Sammy Ries hopes that the team will stay positive and eliminate stress.

Skiing itself can help with that, she said.

“I like leaving school and knowing that I’m going to go ski and forget about homework and everything,” Ries said.

[In Print] This story is reprinted from The Rubicon print edition Nov 21, 2017