Graphic By: Isaac Belina
As winter rolls into the Pacific Northwest, local winter sports communities across the state are getting excited for the beginning of the ski season. Of course, right on opening day, every local ski-bum will flock to their favorite mountain and reunite with their community of fellow adventurers.
Though many come to the mountains for the high-speed turns and fresh powder, they come back for the rich culture embedded in the winter activity. Gabriel Bagan ’26 describes this culture as “tight knit” and “supportive,” two words that sum up what the community is all about.
This storied culture dates back to the popularization of skiing as a worldwide sport in the 1900s, where the activity began its rapid growth. Along with this growth, a culture was created based on the shared enjoyment of winter. A pioneer of this culture was the late Warren Miller, the inventor of the now popular ski film genre.
Starting with simple recordings of his skiing to better his technique, he began to release yearly films which he would show in theaters. Since his first showing in 1950, Warren Miller Entertainment has become a staple in the culture of skiing. Today, these film festivals include clips from skiers and snowboarders from across the world, their separate videos compiled into one film that showcases the evolution of skiing. Not only do these montages show the incredible talent of these individuals, they also show the undying support from these communities.
After every maneuver, onlookers erupt with encouraging cheers, much like the actual slopes where every trick deserves applause, every single person excited for what that individual was able to accomplish.
Despite the unwavering support shown in the ski community, the closeness of the culture can also create a cult-like atmosphere. Locals can be wary of newcomers due to the growing delocalization of ski resorts across the country. With companies like Vail and Alterra Mountain Company owning a combined 58 ski resorts around the world, and granting access to nearly 100 combined resorts with their respective season passes, the sport is becoming more corporatized every year.
To many people, this is not a bad thing as it allows more mountain access than ever due to the wide variety of ski resorts a person is granted access to with one of the company’s season passes. However, to many locals it can ruin the authentic experience that is so unique to skiing. “When big companies buy up ski resorts, it wrecks the whole culture’s game,” said Bagan, a thought that is shared by many in the community.
In such a unique culture, skiers and snowboarders can bond over the common love for the great outdoors. This special bond is what makes the whole experience of skiing so incredible for many across the world, creating an authentic feeling of togetherness that can not be recreated.
