In the winter, while academics take a break, some students use the holidays as a time to relax and enjoy, while others view it as a time to visit the snow.
Many of today’s winter sports, which we play for enjoyment, originated as forms of transportation that can be dated back to as early as 8000 B.C.E. As winter break approaches and ski season begins to open for many mountains, excitement is building.
Evelyn Ricci is a junior in high school in New Jersey and has been skiing since she was two years old. She spends her winter break in Colorado every year, surrounded by family and incredible memories. One of her best winter memories is skiing with her family, especially after a great lunch together.
“We just spend the whole day skiing and making really dumb mistakes and making each other look really stupid when we wipe out in really funny ways,” Ricci said.
After a stretch of hot months across the country, snow for this season could be the most some have seen in years. The east is expecting more snow this week, while the west is waiting. With winter storms approaching, ski resorts have begun to open as early as October. According to Vail Resorts, Keystone ski resort in Colorado was the first to open on Oct. 25, 2025, with many following in its footsteps.
Mira Poeta is a sophomore at Carlmont High School and has not been to the snow since 2022. Her idea of the holidays are different from Ricci’s, but it is still just as enjoyable. She doesn’t view snow as a fun phenomenon like Ricci.
“I’d have to do a lot of shoveling, and it would be colder,” Poeta said.
Her plans this year are much warmer. She is excited to go to Mexico over winter break and enjoy the beach.
Despite these differences, both of them have their own holiday traditions. For Ricci, it’s Christmas with family in the snow, and for Poeta, it’s a vacation around the world.
Nina Botvinik, a sophomore at Carlmont High School, has been skiing since she was six or seven years old. Her favorite part of winter is skiing every year. She especially enjoys moguls and skiing all day long.
“I really like waking up early, going to the slopes, and skiing,” Botvinik said.
Skiing isn’t the only winter activity people enjoy around the snow and the holidays. Some of the other activities are snowboarding, snowshoeing, snow tubing, sledding, ice skating, and the iconic snowball fight.
“I enjoy ice skating, especially where I live. There’s a winter wonderland at my local zoo that they set up, and you can go ice skating,” Ricci said.
For Ricci, skiing is a way to release stress and not have to think about the things you would have to do otherwise. Skiing is something that you can’t always do, but it is fun and exciting when the opportunity arises.
“My favorite part about skiing is that you don’t really have to think about anything else. When you go skiing, you’re not thinking about school, you’re not thinking about any friend drama or issues, and you’re just focused on having fun and going down different terrain, and just like being with your family and your friends.” Ricci said.
The holidays in general are a fun time for everyone, whether it’s spent playing in the snow or relaxing with friends and family.
“Especially if I’m somewhere with snow, it gets me into that Christmas vibe,” Botvinik said.
