In 1928, the Meany Lodge ski area opened, becoming the first commercial ski destination in Washington. The opening marked the start of the explosive growth of the cold, wet and lovable PNW skiing culture that we know today. Since 1928, skiing has developed its own distinct community, which has recently taken on a new look: Inclusivity.
A New Culture
Much like other sports, skiing has experienced a massive culture shift resulting from the growth of social media. One of the biggest changes includes a movement for inclusivity, being driven by content creators. The American skiing world, originally only accessible to the wealthy, has gained the stereotype of being a “white man’s” leisure. Recently, through the expansion of social media and accessibility driven programs, skiing has become increasingly diverse. Stefan Holubec, a competitive skier, stated, “Gen Z and newer skiers are cultivating that idea [inclusivity] and making it the new norm and a core cultural piece in our sport.” He added that “with the presence of social media, it’s easier for people to see someone like them, and say, I can go do that.”
Another way the sport has become more inclusive came in 2022 when the governing body for the sport, U.S. Ski and Snowboard, launched their HERoic initiative. The movement aims to provide women of the skiing world with more opportunities in leadership and receiving mentorship, two historically male dominant privileges . Holubec also noted that because of its exclusionary beginnings, “skiing was definitely late to the whole inclusion thing.” Besides race or gender-based discrimination, a great example of this is the fact that 3 large-scale ski resorts, being Alta, Mad River, and Deer valley, still don’t allow snowboarders on their slopes. The conflict between snowboarders and skiers, something that has been prominent since the former’s conception, quietly lives on in these places.
The result of all these cultural reforms within skiing and snowboarding is a new perception of “success” in the sport. What used to be defined by medals and records is now centered around building followings and spreading inclusivity. Skiing is unlike other sports; there is no foul territory. Skiers can choose to ride backcountry, race, live in the park, and do all of those things their own way. It is a blank canvas with an artist that has chosen to paint the room around it instead.
Dr. Finley, a Garfield AP Environmental Science teacher, is also a believer that the slopes lack diversity. “I often just see just a lot of white people on the slopes,” Finley said, emphasizing that winter sports remain dominated by upper-middle-class and white communities. Being raised in Montana, she hadn’t been exposed to male/female inequality in skiing, the sport being huge to most everyone in the state. Finley agrees that more and more women are being represented in the sport. “I think that it’s due to a lot of the kind and charismatic people that we see in Olympic sports” she said.
Changing Climates
Finley also touches on how the PNW slopes have been seeing issues of climate change these past years. “Washington has been experiencing climate change in unexpected trends, actually seeing more precipitation, but it’s coming down as rain and later in the fall when it would usually be transitioning into snow.” As a result, even when snow does accumulate on the mountains, warmer weather often brings rain to the surface of the snow, causing slushier and less ideal ski conditions.
Most Seattleites’ go-to local resort, Summit at Snoqualmie, saw an average of 181 inches of snowfall, the lowest amount since the 2014-15 winter. Less snow is making it harder for the resort to form a solid base, ultimately forcing them to open later into December last year. In an age where the climate crisis headlines newspapers year-round, it has become easy to think that the dear sport is facing a grim future. However, something else is also at play. Having a couple bad years of snow isn’t anything new, and it actually makes a lot of sense. The worst recent winters – 2014-15 and 2023-24 – have both been part of El Nino climate cycles. Simply put, the amount of snow we get is directly affected by the winds and jet streams from the Pacific. During an El Nino, the pacific jet stream faces further south, diverting the cold northern storm systems that usually bring snow. A Seattle optimist would say that the recent trends are perfectly normal, and the power for a better or worse future lies in the people’s hands.
Garfield Ski Bus
In January, as the school week comes to a close, a busload of Garfield students look forward to trading school books for slopes down at Snoqualmie Pass. Some have been skiing for years, while others are experiencing the mountain sport for the first time. More students are joining Ski Bus each year; an accessible, school run trek to the slopes. Parents and staff raise money, making the event achievable to get access to rides, lessons, and gear. This financial support has opened up the world of skiing to students who once viewed the sport as too expensive or far from reach. Washington’s skiing reputation makes it nearly impossible not to want to take advantage of the mountains of snow in such close proximity. Donovan Hale said he joined with a few friends, but soon met many others. “I definitely made a ton of new friends I would have never talked to if it was not for Ski Bus.” he explained. The slopes make it easy to connect, Hale explained, because everyone is learning or helping someone else. Students from different grades talk more on Ski Bus than they would at school, fostering a great environment to learn and enjoy. In terms of finance, Hale said, “making it more accessible for people is important because skiing is out of reach.” Hale recommends Ski Bus to all, including beginners, “Skiing is very easy to learn if you apply yourself.” Mr Johnson, the ski bus coordinator, has watched the group change over the 21 years he’s been in charge of Ski Bus. He said Ski Bus brings students together because “all grades go” and because the program is built to include everyone. “I have talked to kids who said they met their best friend on Ski Bus.” Johnson explained, admiring the strong community.
“Skiing is often associated with white culture and seen as unavailable to minorities, but Garfield Ski Bus is super diverse.” Hale observed. “It has become more diverse because of a shift in culture and how we are advocating for it.” Johnson agreed. To both teacher and student, the space that the Garfield Ski Bus provides has been one with great opportunities for every part of the community. It aims to give every student the chance to come home with cold wet gear, tired legs, and new memories from the mountains they are lucky to live near.
