With the fall season coming to an end and winter starting to lodge its way into everyone’s lives, many are shifting gears in the activities they participate in.

Whether it’s skiing, snowboarding, ice fishing, or anything of the sort, many students at PHS have their own activities that keep them busy in the cold winter months.

“I’ve been skiing ever since I was really little, but I started ski racing in elementary school in Cody,” senior Kik Hayano said. “It’s a great way to stay active in the winter and get outside and see the sun instead of staying home.” 

High school skiing is sparse in Wyoming, but by no means non-existent. There are six Wyoming high school skiing teams throughout the state that compete in competitions as one division. The participating schools include Jackson Hole, Cody, Natrona County, Kelly Walsh, Laramie, and Pinedale. Typically there are around ten competitions that take place, including state.

“Jackson Hole has a team and they crush us at every state tournament,” Hayano said. “I got an honorable mention award last year at state and made all-state my sophomore year.”

While skiing is competitive for Hayano, the activity doesn’t always have to have a winner. For some, it’s just a fun hobby to do on the weekends.

“I enjoy the adrenaline rush when I would ski the double black Diamond runs and skiing in knee-waist deep powder feels like you’re floating on clouds,” PCSD1 employee Rob Paterson said. “I used to love skiing off cliffs and into narrow chutes up at Big Sky Mountain and the glaciers at the top of Cooke City Highway.”

Many Powell residents flock to the Red Lodge Hill (outside of Red Lodge, Montana) and Sleeping Giant Resort (roughly 50 miles outside of Cody, Wyoming) to get some snow time in.

“In ski season I usually teach every Saturday and Sunday,” senior Aubree Fisher said. “I enjoy being outside and not having to worry about anything.” 

On the other side of things, ice fishing is a popular way for students to spend time on the weekend with friends and family.

“I like to go at least three times in the winter,” junior Wyatt Nicholson said. “It’s just a nice way to get out with your family, have fun, and maybe catch a fish or two.”

Ice fishing requires a frozen lake, so typically it can only ensue during the winter months. A typical day includes drilling a couple of holes in the ice, setting up tip-ups so that you don’t have to actively hold the pole, and staying warm inside ice tents.

“Even if you don’t catch anything, it’s still a fun day on the lake,” junior Reece Lowe said. “[I mostly go] with family and we go with friends occasionally. We will probably go more this year, but normally we go out three or four times a year.”