Four Decades on the Slopes: De La Salle Ski Club’s Enduring Tradition

The De La Salle Ski Club is one of the longest-running clubs on campus. A look through old yearbooks reveals references and photos dating back as far as 1980. For decades, the club has brought together students from De La Salle and Carondelet through a shared love of skiing and snowboarding. As one of the few joint De La Salle–Carondelet clubs, the Ski Club creates a unique community where students from both schools connect, form friendships, and share experiences beyond the classroom.

The club is also proud to be one of the only ski clubs in the Bay Area that consistently gets its members out on the mountain through an annual ski trip. Each year, the Ski Club travels to Palisades Tahoe, one of the most well-known ski resorts in the country. This trip is the highlight of the year and something members genuinely look forward to. Both the club and the trip are open to students of all skill levels, and participation is often so high that a waitlist is required. As Ski Club President Gavin Sulaver puts it, “It’s a great opportunity to ski with friends from school and bond with new people over a shared love of skiing.”

The annual Ski Trip doesn’t just happen overnight. Behind the scenes, it takes months of planning by a dedicated student leadership team. Through weekly meetings, countless emails, and plenty of trial and error, the leadership group works throughout the school year to ensure that both the club and the trip run smoothly.

On the day of the trip, dedicated members arrive early at De La Salle, ready for a long but exciting day ahead. As students pile onto the bus with friends, anticipation builds with every mile closer to Tahoe, especially after a breakfast stop along the way. At Palisades, members ski and ride together, meet up between runs, and take in everything the mountain and village have to offer. In the afternoon, the entire group gathers on the slopes for the annual Ski Club photo, continuing a longstanding tradition. After a full day on the mountain, the group winds down with tacos, snacks, and s’mores, giving everyone a chance to warm up, relax, and share stories before heading home. By the time the bus returns, students are exhausted, but happy, having made memories that last long after the snow melts.

The De La Salle Ski Club is more than just a club; it’s an experience built around fun, inclusivity, and adventure. The annual trip, along with the strong sense of community it creates, makes Ski Club one of the most enjoyable and meaningful organizations on campus.