When winter arrives in Bucks County, dozens of Pennridge students trade homework for helmets as they board buses headed to the mountains. The Pennridge Ski and Snowboard Club, one of the district’s largest student organizations, gives high school and middle school students the chance to ski and snowboard at local resorts and beyond.
The club organizes evening trips throughout January and February to nearby mountains such as Blue Mountain and Bear Creek Mountain Resort. Students load buses after school and spend the night on the slopes, returning home late. According to the club’s structure, longer excursions are also a major part of the experience, including weekend trips to major resorts and selective trips out west over President’s Day weekend. Since 2016, the club has offered highly competitive “Out West” trips to destinations such as Utah, Colorado, and Lake Tahoe. These trips are typically limited to about 21 juniors and seniors and are based on skill level and academic standing. For the 2025–2026 season, club leaders discussed replacing the traditional Vermont trip with Lake Placid to provide “good terrain” at a lower cost.
Despite the price tag often associated with winter sports, many students say skiing and snowboarding are more accessible than people think. “I believe the biggest misconception is that it’s too hard to learn or too expensive,” said snowboarder Samanta Guogis, a student at Pennridge High School. “After a few times, it gets easier, and you can always rent.” Local trips generally cost between $110 and $143 per student, which includes transportation, lift tickets, and rentals. Multi-day trips, especially those in the West, can cost significantly more, sometimes reaching several thousand dollars due to flights, lodging, and multi-day lift tickets.
For students like Guogis, the sport becomes addictive. “I would describe it as something you get obsessed with and something you never want to stop doing,” she said. She added that snowboarding requires “a lot of balance and drive to keep going after you fall.”
Skier Matt Le, who has been skiing for 15 years, said the sport is about more than speed or tricks. “The biggest misconception, in my opinion, is that skiing or snowboarding is easy once you learn the basics,” he said. “Progressing safely takes a lot of technique, time, and conditioning, along with respect for the mountain,” Le said mental strength plays a major role. “One of the most important mental skills…is trust and determination,” he said. “If you’re not determined to learn something or get better, it’s not gonna happen.”
Beyond the physical challenge, students say the club builds lasting memories. “You create countless memories with your friends and family while on the mountain,” Le said. “There’s never a dull moment.” For those considering joining, Guogis said the challenge is worth it. “Falling and getting up is the hardest part, but once you learn, you’ll never stop,” she said. As winter continues, the Pennridge Ski and Snowboard Club remains a place where students can stay active and find freedom on the slopes with a good atmosphere.
