Slowly but surely, snow is starting to fall and students and teachers alike are starting to hit the slopes.

At Brimmer, recreational and competitive skiers are making the trek north.

“The feeling of being free, being alone with the mountain, and the sudden rush of adrenaline while skiing fast down steep slopes are all part of what makes skiing amazing,” says Jared Heller ‘19, who shreds black diamonds.

Heller not only skies for the adrenaline, but he also skies to see the beautiful scenic mountain views and to “take a break from civilization.”

Noa Schabes ‘17 used to ski in the French Alps. She started making the trip at around age 9 to bond with family. She remembers the “sense of accomplishment” she felt when she skied her first black diamond—and she is eager to hit the slopes again sometime soon.

History and journalism teacher David Cutler, a former competitive skier on the Loon Mountain Race Team in Lincoln, NH, also remembers loving the thrill of tackling challenging terrain. “It was a lot of fun but it was bitter cold, especially on the top of the mountain,” he says. “Nothing feels better though than cruising wicked fast down a trail with nobody on it. It’s the most liberating feeling in the world.”

Cutler’s coach would often tell him to fall to not fear moving at high speeds, and to learn how to pick himself up again after crashing. Cutler also described his training as” intense,” and to build leg muscle he would spend hours on just one ski.

Skiing may seem difficult to learn, but it’s  actually relatively easy to pick up. As a beginner, instructors teach learners how to plow, which involves making a pizza slice-shape with skis .

Gliding down a slope and reaching the bottom creates a sense of accomplishment that is unlike any other activity. In fact, The Gator has inside knowledge that Head of School Judith Guild is an expert skier. Just ask her for advice.