There’s something about winter quarter that makes everyone want to getaway. The days feel shorter, classes feel harder and your group chat is talking spring break plans. Lately, a fun getaway seems to mean one thing: ski weekend.
Ski trips are having a moment again, and it’s not just about the skiing. It’s the energy. The early morning road trip playlists, the oversized puffer jackets, the matching beanies and the inevitable cabin photo dump. It feels like the perfect mix of adventure and aesthetic.
I recently went to Mammoth with a group of my track teammates, and it was exactly the reset we didn’t know we needed. After weeks of routine, being in the mountains felt completely different from campus life. Waking up to freezing weather gives some endorphins.
The best part? You don’t even have to be a pro skier to enjoy it. Being with a group creates a fun environment to build a new skill or refine your snow skill. A ski trip isn’t just about carving down black diamonds. It’s about being outside, trying something new and laughing at the inevitable wipeouts.
There’s also something bonding about it. When you’re sharing a cabin, cooking together, layering up in way too many clothes and ending the night exhausted but happy, it creates memories fast. It’s different from going out or doing the usual weekend routine. It feels intentional and new.
Ski trips are also surprisingly doable and more affordable with a group. Split gas, split lodging, pack your own food and suddenly it’s not as intimidating as it sounds. Even just a two-night getaway can be a full reset before heading back into the grind of winter quarter.
Whether it’s Mammoth, Big Bear or Tahoe, winter getaways remind you that sometimes the best way to survive the quarter is to leave it for a weekend. AND you come back with a story to tell.
And honestly, nothing makes coming back to campus feel better than knowing you just lived a little in between exams.