Feb 19, 2015 2 min read

Chilling wind and the kiss of snow brush against my face as I speed down the slope. Instincts take control of my movements. Stars burn in the sky over the small hill at Oglebay Park. Like me, many people are out enjoying winter’s best pastime – skiing.

And Oglebay Park is a great place to enjoy winter activities. Every year, many people come here to ski and snowboard.

Though Oglebay’s ski slope is small, it contains a steep incline and a small terrain park with jumps and rails.

When people say “skiing,” they often include snowboarding, too. Except, they are nothing alike. Skiing is easier to learn than snowboarding. All you need to do is point your feet in the direction you want to go. Snowboarding requires more technique.

Snowboards are controlled by leaning your weight on the toe or heel edge. Both will leave a person sore afterwards the first few times.

Fellow skier Jonathan Howard, 16, describes skiing by saying, “It is a rush of freshness and speed.”

Regarding his first ski trip, Howard added, “It was pretty bad. I went down the hill my first three times laying on my back.” Now, he goes up several times a week with a group of students from Wheeling Central High School.

I recommend skiing and snowboarding if you enjoy winter, fresh air, adrenaline or need something new to try. If anybody has time, head to Oglebay Park.

Visit http://ski.oglebay-resort.com/hours/index.html for hours and more information.

Time to hit the slopes.