Journeys Middle and High School students recently wrapped up their second full day of the annual Winter Sports Program at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Students took advantage of small instructor to student ratios and excellent skiing conditions. For beginning and intermediate skiers and riders, full-day lessons provided a chance to go in depth and get detailed feedback on their technique. For advanced middle school skiers and riders, of which there are many at Journeys School, this was a great opportunity to simply enjoy a passion with peers, get some exercise, and relieve stress from the busy school week. Tired, but smiling faces at the end of the day told the entire story. They were exhausted, but very satisfied with everything they just learned.

There were also a lot of firsts during the past two Fridays as some skiers tried snowboarding, and some snowboarders tried skiing. For a few students however, the entire experience was totally new. For students Luka Devenica, Noura Abdelghany, and Samdup Bhutia, this was their first time ever sitting on a chair lift in preparation for making pizzas all the way down. Their collective enthusiasm and patience was matched only by their instructor. By the end of the second day, they were skiing with confidence and skill they did not possess only a week earlier.

Though student’s skiing and snowboarding abilities vary greatly, students’ support for each other does not. The instructors at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort commented several times how patient and supportive Journeys School students were of each other and how much they enjoyed working with them. One of the exciting outcomes of the Winter Sports Program is the community building which occurs. Students are grouped by ability, often crossing middle and high school lines, as well as social barriers. In many cases, students who may not normally interact a great deal, had the opportunity to spend two entire days participating in a challenging but fun experience together. Our community is stronger because of these interactions.