Enjoyed by millions of Americans every year, skiing is a great way to spend time outdoors during the cold winter months. Due to the benefits of skiing and the fact that it’s more active and allows more sight-seeing than other activities, it is also the overall best out of all outdoor winter activities, such as snowshoeing, ice skating and ice fishing. A note that “skiing” refers to the activities of skiing and snowboarding when used in this article due to the overall similarity of a fast-paced, downhill sport.

The first reason skiing is better than other outdoor winter activities is that it is a full-body sport. This means that as people ski, they engage many core muscles of their body, providing an overall full-body workout too. This workout is beneficial because it allows skiers to engage many different muscles all throughout their body, which is not necessarily true for other activities. While this is similar for ice skating, and partially for snowshoeing, ice fishing does not incorporate much movement meaning it is a more sedentary activity that doesn’t provide much exercise.

Another reason skiing is the best is because it allows participants to experience breathtaking outdoor scenery. As a skier whizzes down a mountain, they’re offered beautiful views of snow-covered trees and fresh piles of snowy powder all around them. They also get exposure to these beautiful sights due to the fact that they are moving quickly down the slope, and therefore, have more time to see more astounding scenery. From my personal experience, I love being at the top of the mountain and being able to see lights of buildings in towns far in the distance. Having such an amazing view while surrounded by a sparkling, snowy, natural environment really does invoke a magical feeling.

Although this is true for snowshoeing, snowshoers move at a much slower pace and are only offered the views of what they are walking near. This expanse of scenery is not an aspect for ice skaters though, as they can only experience the nature surrounding them and whatever frozen body of water they use – and that is only if they don’t choose to skate indoors.

MTHS teacher Mrs. Nicole Eshelman, leader of the MTHS Ski Club, shared her opinions on this amazing sport.

Q: Are there any main reasons that skiing is better than other outdoor winter activities for you?

A: “I love that you get to see so much more than you would just by foot. So, you get to go to the top of the mountain and ski down through the trees, and see things you normally wouldn’t see. That’s my favorite part, just being able to see more of the woods and the environment than you would typically,”

Q: Do you think skiing is an activity for all different types of people?

A: “Even as an adult when I really learned how to ski, it was still accessible. I think I’ve seen like 1 and 2-year-olds on the slopes. I’ve seen all the way up to people in their 80s that are skiing. So, I think it definitely is something that, while easier to learn while you’re younger, I do think it’s something that everyone could enjoy. And if not downhill skiing, there’s cross-country skiing, and you know, you could biathlon it like the Olympics. There’s tons of ways to enjoy being out there that would maybe have a little less risk for those who are concerned about that. But, I do think it’s accessible as far as an activity.”

Q: During Ski Club trips, what about skiing do you think makes students have so much fun?

A: “I think just the fact that they’re there all together with their friends. Just being together and getting to have a fun Friday night after a long week of school is probably what students would say is the most fun. With Ski Club, we have 130 students here at the high school this year, so that’s 130 other friends that you get to hang out with.”

If you feel inspired to hit the slopes after reading this article, ski resorts near Lancaster include Roundtop Mountain Resort, Bear Creek Mountain Resort, Spring Mountain Adventures and Liberty Mountain Resort.