In between the stress of homework assignments, midterms, and walking to classes in the rainy Salem weather, some students find their relief up on the snowy slopes doing what they love: skiing and snowboarding.
Though the closest ski resorts are an hour or more from Salem, the distance doesn’t stop many from spending the weekend shredding down fresh powder. The popular destinations are Hoodoo, Mt. Hood Meadows and Ski Bowl, and Mt. Bachelor.
Derik Chaney has a season pass to Mt. Hood Meadows, along with fellow Corban students Daniel Fredrickson and Kaden Danielson. Chaney has been snowboarding since he was 12, and he loves spending time at his local resort back home in Helena, Mont., called The Great Divide. While he attends school in Salem, he enjoys boarding with his friends every weekend at Mt. Hood, where his brother works as an instructor.
“My favorite thing about snowboarding is that there are no rules or holdups,” Chaney said. “You simply strap on your board and do whatever your board will allow you to do.”
Chaney recommended Mt. Hood Skibowl as one of the best options for Corban students. “You can get a group together and night ski for $30,” he said.
Kena Gugudan also enjoys the runs on Mt. Hood Meadows and Skibowl.
“I love to carve through the trees because it is a very fluid motion,” Gugudan said. “It reminds me a lot of surfing, which I absolutely love. On the mountain you have a lot of room to change it up whether you want to carve, do the park, or the half pipe.”
Gugudan’s favorite time to snowboard is at night, which is also a less expensive option ($30 instead of the regular $74, or an afternoon ticket for $59). Night skiing offers a new experience to the mountain, with lights illuminating the skier’s path instead of the sun. Mt. Hood Meadows night skiing is from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Gugudan also suggested the student pass card at Mt. Hood Meadows, which costs $10 and can bring discounts on weekends for $10, and weekdays for $20.
However, students aren’t the only ones who benefit from weekend trips to the slopes. Professor John Wilson has a passion for skiing and is particularly fond of Mt. Bachelor.
“Mt. Bachelor is my favorite,” Wilson said. “Mostly because it is a big mountain with all manner of variety.”
Wilson spoke highly of his winter hobby. “I love everything about it,” Wilson said. “The speed, the turning, powder moguls, the beauty.”
Hoodo, Mt. Bachelor, and Mt. Hood all have websites that list deals and specials for lift tickets and season passes. Some are regular, and some change depending on the time of year.
Skiing and snowboarding are popular hobbies that many Corban students take advantage of.
Professor Wilson had a final note about the winter sports. “I think Corban should have either a ski/snowboard club, or, minimally, some overnight snow trip,” Wilson said. “I believe that would make many people happy.”