With record snowfalls this week, typical students might find it easy to bundle up inside comfy dorm rooms with some hot chocolate and a movie.
Alaska native and sophomore in the School of International Service Tamara Teller sees it differently.
"Ice skating, snow shoeing, snow machining, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding and dog mushing," she said.
For Teller and countless other outdoor enthusiasts, winter sports provide athletes with a way to stay competitive and prevent their chiseled six-packs from turning into the midsection of a snowman during hibernation season.
As the days off and inches of snow start to pile up around D.C., it might be time for AU students to grab their snowcaps, pull on a pair of long underwear and work up some courage. Snow sports are in season.
Snowboarding / Skiing:
Snowboarding and skiing are not just for professionals. In fact, you'll find 75-year-old senior snowboarders riding up the mountain on the same chairlift as 13-year-old snowboarders. Riders of every age and skill level are welcomed at most resorts.
However, don't expect to be weaving through moguls or hitting the half pipe on your first run.
"When you first start to learn, it takes about an hour to get down the first run," said Tobin Krieg-Huntley, a Kogod sophomore, Vermont native and avid snowboarder. "You'll be falling about every five feet."
Fortunately, according to Krieg-Huntley, there is a pretty quick learning curve, and once riders learn to balance they'll be headed from the bunny hill to black diamonds in no time.
"It's relaxing on the mountain," Krieg-Huntley said. "Just let your muscle memory take over."
D.C. skiers and snowboarders go to great lengths for a day on the mountain, since the closest resorts are about an hour to three hours away in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. In Pennsylvania, Ski Liberty Mountain Resort in Fairfield and Whitetail Resort in Mercersburg are each just over an hour and a half away. In Virginia, Massanutten Resort, Wintergreen Resort and Bryce Mountain Resort are each over two hours away. In Maryland, Wisp Resort in McHenry is almost three hours away.
The other obstacle is the cost. Equipment rentals can cost upwards of $75 and lift tickets typically range somewhere between $25 and $50, depending on the resort. But, according to Krieg-Huntley, the benefits far outweigh the expense.
Ice Skating:
With venues right in Washington, D.C., both the toothless hockey bruiser and the sensitive figure skater should agree on a weekend trip to the skating rink.
At the Sculpture Gardens on the National Mall, skaters can slide around the rink surrounded by sculptures from contemporary and modern artists. The organic experience of open-air skating is as close as it gets to pond skating in Washington. The Sculpture Gardens offer two-hour sessions at the price of $7 for adults and $3 for skate rentals. The venue is open from now until mid-March, seven days a week.
"The thing about skating is, you can be at all different levels and still have fun," Teller said. "But if you're a beginner, just go slow and stay by the wall."
Sled Riding:
For a winter thrill right in your backyard, "all you need is a sled and a good hill," said Graham Brookie, a sophomore in the School of Public Affairs from Durango, Colo.
In some instances, the former isn't necessary a requirement. Some creative adventurers have improvised with trashcan lids, plastic bags and lunch trays.
However, without lunch trays and fearful of Public Safety, a more conventional approach would be to take a couple runs down the small hill behind Katzen or the seminary on Massachusetts Avenue.
Even a beginner should catch on after a run or two. Brookie's only advice is this: "keep your feet up and hold on tight."
Snowball Fights:
Whether between runs down the hill, laps on the ice or class, there's always time to pack a quick snowball and hurl it at an unsuspecting target. In some cases, the snow battles can turn into all-out wars.
This past Saturday, more than 2,000 people showed up in Dupont Circle to take part in one of the largest fights in Washington history. The participants responded to tweets and Facebook messages sent out earlier that day and the event received national media attention.
As the fights escalate, everyone has his or her own strategy when it comes to waging a "cold war."
"Always pack more ammo than you think you'll need," Brookie said.
According to Teller, you need to make it like a battle: you need teams and fortresses to hide behind.
"More importantly, you need good snow," Teller added. "You can't have a snowball fight without good snow."
Krieg-Huntley said the most important thing of all is the war cry, "snowball fight!"
You can reach this writer at sports@theeagleonline.com
