Alpine Skiing- Making Memories

By: Katelyn Parker

Growing up, I was awarded a unique opportunity; one I am willing to bet only a fraction of people in the nation can say they experienced. I spent my sixth-grade year at a very small school and our gym class was ski lessons at the nearby ski resort. Every Friday the whole school, which was around 43 kids, would board the school bus and travel down the road to the local ski area. Rentals were supplied to all of us, so nobody was excluded if they didn’t have their own gear. I had never been on skis and was incredibly nervous to make a fool of myself in front of my peers, however, it didn’t take long to get the hang of it and before I knew it, I was confidently swooping down the slope.

Family Traditions

Naturally, I came home every Friday bragging about my day at school and the amazing experiences I had and all the tricks I had learned from the days lesson. My sisters were of course jealous that they didn’t go to the same school, and they too wanted to experience the joy of downhill skiing. Before long, we were taking family ski trips every weekend to resorts in the surrounding area. The memories my family made skiing are still some of the fondest memories I have. All the first laid tracks, monumental “yard sales” and belly laughs will forever provide me with warm feelings. My sisters and I lived fiercely and fearlessly when we were skiing. The sport provides a feeling of freedom unlike any other and you will never get closer to the feeling of floating on air until you ski down fresh powder early in the day.

Small Resorts- Big Opportunities

In the years following I have had the opportunity to ski at several different resorts in Wyoming, Colorado and Montana, but out of all the resorts I have visited, the smaller resorts have always been my favorite. My greatest memories and best experiences have all been had at a small resort such as Snowy Range in the Sierra Madres, Antelope Butte in the Bighorns and Sleeping Giant in the Absaroka Mountains. You don’t have to fight the lines and you can ski at your respective skill level without impeding the other skiers or snowboarders.  My skill level pretty much plateaued at intermediate so skiing the less populated slopes at smaller resorts provides an easy going, fun experience without the risk that is inevitable when the runs are crowded.

Take Advantage

Sometimes the opportunities we have living in Wyoming are taken for granted but, we are all incredibly lucky to have access to so many amazing experiences, all we have to do is take advantage of the incredible places and activities right in our backyard. Wyoming is home to several different ski areas, and each is unique in their own way.

Wyoming Ski Areas:

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort- Jackson, WY

Grand Targhee Resort- Alta, WY

Hogadon Basin Ski Area- Casper, WY

Snowy Range Ski Area- Laramie, WY

White Pine Ski Resort- Pinedale, WY

Pine Creek Ski Resort- Cokeville, WY

Snow King Mountain Resort- Jackson, WY

Sleeping Giant Ski Area- Cody, WY

Meadowlark Ski Lodge- Ten Sleep/ Buffalo, WY

Antelope Butte- Shell/ Sheridan, WY

Green Mountain- Brush Creek Ranch Private Ski Area- Saratoga, WY

Let us know which Wyoming ski areas are your favorite and share some of your fondest memories on the slopes. Tag us on social media @LiveWYldMag and use #LiveWYld