Skiing vs. Beach

She said/She said

Elsa Moore

At the beginning of a new semester, students are able to enjoy a long weekend only two weeks into January, spanning from the thirteenth to the sixteenth, which allows students to take off and enjoy a weekend at the lake, the beach, or even better, the mountains. The mountains are a great way for students to enjoy a fun weekend with friends or family by keeping warm by a nice fire, hitting the slopes, or living out their winter village dreams.

Some students might argue that a trip to the beach or the lake is a better option, but why visit a place that is strictly fun in the summer and spring, when it is much colder? By visiting the mountains, students are able to enjoy the cold weather that they’ve already gotten used to over the span of November to January. A ski trip can also provide physical activity for students who have taken their winter breaks to rest and debrief before the upcoming semester.

However, students may be wary of skiing or they worry about being a beginner, being inexperienced, and not being good enough. This shouldn’t be a concern though as many ski resorts around the country offer ski lessons for anyone at any level even those who are considered more advanced skiers.

Skiing, while very active, can also be very relaxing as nothing beats the feeling of finishing a long day on the slopes, coming back to a warm house with a nice fire, and taking off cold ski boots. For many Wesleyan students, they have not had the opportunity to enjoy a surplus of snow or even not much snow at all. However, at ski resorts in places like Utah, Colorado, and others, the amount of snow is unlike any Georgian has seen before which can be a fun addition to taking a trip to the mountains as winter is in full swing unlike in the south. For southerners, temperatures are relatively warm even for the winter sometimes reaching even sixty degrees, but in places like Utah, Colorado, and Montana, temperatures are much lower and provide the perfect skiing conditions.

Skiing is also a great family activity and can even bring families closer as there is room on the ski slopes for everyone. Not only is this applicable for families, but also for friends as friends of all levels of skiing can enjoy the slopes and go have fun in the winter villages afterwards. Even students with families who aren’t involved on the slopes can always just travel to the mountains for the weekend, enjoy activities like ice skating, and spend time with loved ones.

As opposed to the beach, where the swimming in the ocean is a questionable activity during that time of year, ski trips can offer all-day activities for families who want to be active and moving around or even those who don’t. Instead of taking beach trips in the winter, with volatile weather and less activities, they should be taken in the summer when the weather is sure to be warm, the ocean swimmable, and the activities endless.

Even if a reason for wanting to go on a lake trip is the fear of missing out on tubing, ski resorts typically offer mountain tubing, which is a fun activity in the presence of snow, which is something Wesleyan students fail to see. Overall, a trip to the mountains is something every Wesleyan student should consider doing as there are endless activities like snowmobiling, tubing, snowboarding, and skiing.

Audrey Pursell

With the temperature dropping, escaping the cold is probably on top of the to-do list. A great way to rejuvenate and get a tan is going to the beach for MLK weekend. The beach is a relaxing vacation that takes the mind off the stress at home. Relaxing on the sand, enjoying the refreshing water, parasailing, boating, and dining out; it doesn’t cost a lot to enjoy a beach vacation. The beach itself is enough. It is easy to get to the beach as there are multiple beaches within driving distance. There are even beaches in Georgia, such as St. Simon’s beach, Jekyll Island’s beaches, Tybee Island’s beaches, and more.

Skiing may seem like a fun way to enjoy the break, but it is expensive and not everyone can participate. There are few ski resorts within driving distance, and they aren’t good for skiing. It is expensive to get to a ski resort that has decent slopes. The flight alone can cost over $1,000. Ski rentals are $60, lift passes can cost up to $500, and a place to stay costs even more. The total cost of this trip would be almost triple what a trip to the beach costs.

The cold of January causes colds and illnesses that only the sun can fix. The ocean water and the UV rays are perfect ways to get me back up to 100%, and a way to get a nice tan to conquer the New Year. It is a great opportunity for family bonding as everyone gets to relax together. Bike rides or walks along the beach are a great way to get closer to family and enjoy the sun. Good quality seafood is at the beach and is a fun way to switch up the pallet. With at least 3 months to go before warm weather, the beach is perfect for getting a glimpse of summer before having to go back to school or work.

There are various health benefits of the beach such as the soothing sound of the waves, which studies have shown heightened rejuvenation as the brain’s wave patterns find a calming state. Playing in the water forces the body to send more blood to the heart as people float, which This increases blood flow and maximizes alertness. The heat from the sun’s rays positively affects the endocrine system. This important part of the body is responsible for regulating metabolism, growth, sleep, and other functions. Salt water has the ability to soothe aching joints. So, just being by the sea means health will be improving.

Being in the cold at a ski resort could cause colds and more illnesses or injuries as skiing can be very dangerous. Not everyone can ski, and it can be very difficult to learn how. There is ski school, but that is an additional price on top of an already expensive vacation. At a ski resort, there is only one thing people can do, ski. That makes the vacation very limited and boring. Therefore, the beach is the way to go for MLK vacation.