This winter, some students have gotten serious about skiing and snowboarding. To practice more, freshmen Ian Ross and Matthew Baranko, along with senior Aaron Wilson, decided to buy season passes for the year. With the once a week pass they can get their money’s worth after about the fourth or fifth time they go.

”Every week I can take advantage of using my pass as I get better everytime I go,” Ross said. “I think buying a pass is worth it because it only takes a few times to make up the money spent and my friends have passes so it’s fun to go with them.”

Going with friends is a part of why Baranko says he keeps going back. He enjoys spending time with them and taking part in the traditions they do every week.

”I have been skiing for four years. I got started because my friends were all skiing as well,” Baranko said. “Skiing with friends is the best part because it is way more enjoyable to talk to them going up the lifts and watching each other fall down the hills. Each time after each skiing trip we go to Zaxby’s before heading back as a sort of tradition.”

Wilson has gone to Perfect North often over this winter, so he said he has gotten better and can do most of the hills and is now learning more advanced skills. He is on a big trip in Colorado this week snowboarding, as going to Perfect North has got him ready for bigger slopes.

”I have been going for a few years now and can do mostly everything so I’ve started doing parks which are jumps and rails,” Wilson said. “It is exciting to go to Colorado as it is a fun challenge with bigger hills. I have been looking forward to this trip for a while.”

Ross said that buying the pass for many years has caused him to enjoy the sport more and given him some wisdom for others wanting to try the sport.

”The good thing about going with friends is that it makes it easier to find rides as it’s a pretty far drive,” Ross said. “One tip I have is to go once and see if it’s enjoyable then decide if you want to buy the pass to have for the rest of the year.”