ATLANTA--Approximately 650 teens representing 18 parishes of the Archdiocese of Atlanta attended the annual ski trip to Winterplace, W. Va. the weekend of Jan. 17.

"It was a good opportunity for Catholic youth of Atlanta to share experiences with friends and the Lord over a vacation weekend," said Dan O'Brien, a teen from Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Atlanta.

When the teens weren't on the slopes they could be found dining at local restaurants and attending live concerts.

Saturday evening the teens from the archdiocese gathered at the Glade Springs Resort for Mass which was celebrated by Father Conor Fitzgerald, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Church, Woodstock. Concelebrants included Father Terry Kane, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Church, Kennesaw, and Father Daniel Bradley, MS, parochial vicar of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Smyrna. Father John Howren, parochial vicar of St. James the Apostle Church, McDonough, and Father James Adams, pastor of Prince of Peace Church, Buford, also participated in the weekend.

Sunday the teens met for a buffet dinner and a concert featuring Polar Boy and the Small Town Poets.

"The weekend provided fun for everyone regardless of skiing ability," said Colin Sims, a chaperone from Our Lady of the Assumption Church. "It was a mountain top experience seeing the Lord in nature and in the other Catholics from Atlanta."

The trip was coordinated by Lisa Bohn, youth minister of St. Catherine of Siena Church.