I decided to read this as a distraction from a family emergency and my resulting anxiety. Needless to say, I definitely should have picked something else as this did not help with those real-life issues AT ALL (ha ha). But, that is not the book's fault. It's definitely mine.

Putting those feelings aside this book was really well done. What starts as a fun ski weekend with friends turns dangerous very quickly. I've never been in this situation myself (and I hope I never do), but it seemed very realistic. I will warn you that there is very little light at the end of this tunnel so if you are not ready for a darker, realistic read...maybe hold off till you're ready. Overall, I think the character development was well done, I really like the story and writing style, and I would pick up another book by this author.

Ski Weekend was pretty good. It was more of a survival book then a thriller, but it was interesting enough to hold my attention.

The book had realistic characters with real problems. It was 6 highschool age kids who get stuck on a mountain during a bad snow storm and they have to fend for themselves and figure out how to get rescued.

If you like realistic survival stories, I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this Arc in exchange for a honest review.

Ski Weekend by Rektok Ross is a mostly solid addition to the young adult adventure/survival fiction genre. The book revolves around six teens (and a dog) who end up stranded in a snowbank in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California. The kids are heading out on their senior year ski weekend when a storm hits and they decide to take the road less traveled, which turns out to be a big mistake. With their car stuck on the side of the road and the hours turning into days without rescue, the kids endure cold, illness, injury and arguments that push them to their breaking points.

Our band of teen characters are pretty well rounded, but perhaps a little cliched: a jock, a nerd, a cheerleader, etc. However, I appreciated the way they got to see new sides of one another as they struggled for survival together. A crisis can bring out the best and worst in people of any age.

The pace was compelling even if the tone was a little uneven. They may have been fighting for their lives, but they had some light moments as well.

I will recommend this to readers who enjoy young adult survival stories.

I thank the publisher, SparkPress and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Following 6 teenagers and a dog fighting for their lives while stuck in the middle of nowhere during a snow storm, Ski Weekend is a short easy read, perfect for the winter weather.

Although I’ve read it at the begging of the autumn season, I think this book is better read in winter, because of its atmosphere. I felt like it was all happening too fast, with no shocking twists along the way. Most characters seemed flat and honestly kind of annoying. Also, I’m sorry, but it is not quite possible that both Sam and Hunter can have that much survival skills at the age of 17. Not speaking about the fact that veterinary anatomy and medicine is not like human anatomy and medicine. Sure, it might help when there is literally no other type of medical help, but that was a stretch. I did like the end and thought it provided a good closing. Overall, it’s not like the book was bad, I did enjoy reading it. But I though it was unnecessarily fast-paced and, simultaneously, flat. 3 starts for me.

Ski Weekend missed the mark completely for me in terms of tone. For a thriller, I found very few thrills! The setting and the classic isolated concept weren't used to their fullest potential and had me really disappointed when all was said and done.

Six teens set off for a ski weekend in the Sierra Nevada’s, what could go wrong? Winter storms, closed roads and an ill advised “shortcut” that leaves the SUV stuck in a snow bank and the teens trapped on the mountain with limited supplies. Moody and atmospheric. The frigid snowy weather is as strong a character as the teens. A great YA thriller! This would make an amazing Netflix movie or series!

This book was atmospheric, scary, and quite a thrill ride! I enjoyed this book.

What starts off as a weekend getaway for a group of high school seniors ends up for a fight for survival and a test of faith.

These six teens and their dog crash their SUV into a snowbank on the eve of an impending storm. With no technology and dwindling supplies it’s a fight for their lives against the elements. Their friendships are tested in the process as the storm begins to claim them one by one.

How will they survive?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc.

I did enjoy this book but, I really didn't like the characters much. Spoiled kids with little sense. So I'm only giving this 2 stars. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Ski Weekend by Rektok Ross is a fun young adult thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end! Six teens set out for a ski weekend in the High Sierras. A storm shuts down the road before they reach their cabin and so they decide to take a shortcut to get around the road closure. When the storm worsens, they get stranded in a remote area of the forest with no cell service and half a tank of gas. They do what they can to survive as hours turn into days and their hope of rescue dwindles.

I enjoyed the story’s twists and turns. The author pulls you in right away and keeps you reading until the very end. The characters were just ok for me—I didn’t really connect with any of them—although I’m not a teenager so maybe that has something to do with it. Overall easy read!

While I don't normally read young adult fiction I picked up this book because of the survival aspect of the story. And that aspect of the story was not disappointing in the least, heartbreaking at times, but not disappointing. Although I would have liked a bit more closure at the end, the survival story of the six teenagers stuck in the mountains is a compelling one. The complicated relationships between each of the characters was also interesting to read as things got more and more difficult. Sam and her brother were especially fun to read about with Sam and Gavin a close second. But all the interactions between the characters were intricate and unique, especially as they learn things about each other that they hadn't known previously. Even the dialogue about religion fit into the story as life and death decisions played out among them. What I didn't enjoy was the frequent swearing and profanity and sex talk. Those three things are why I don't read a lot of young adult fiction. But if those things don't bother you or the readers you know, I can recommend this as a compelling, fascinating look at human behavior under the most strenuous of circumstances. The characters are easy to care about which makes the story truly heart wrenching at times but leaves the reader glad to have met them.

2.5 stars, rounded up because I enjoyed reading it. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The premise: Main character, her two love interests, her little brother, her best friend, and a popular girl make stupid decisions. They get stuck in a snowstorm with no way back to civilization.

The characters:
Sam—MC/narrator, extremely judgey but also the only one with common sense
Gavin—her longtime crush and brother's best friend, he is cool and a good person at the same time
Hunter—a cowboy/boy scout with survival skills that occasionally work.
Stuart—Sam's brother. Completely useless and constantly has health issues, but at least he's nice.
Lily—the best friend. The blurb really focuses on Sam's broken leg but neglects to mention that Lily is in a coma for a significant portion of the book. She's kind of unstable.
Britney—the popular girl who is ~secretly relatable~

What I liked:
- I got attached to the characters quickly, which was unexpected since they were really annoying.
- The scary atmosphere is super well-done.

What I didn't like:
- Characters were pretty tropey. This is what a middle schooler might see high schoolers as.
- The medical bits (esp regarding head injuries) were a bit sketchy.
- There were a lot of plot shortcuts taken.
- The ending made me sad, but not in a cathartic way. More of like, why did you end it like this???

I love a great people vs. nature thriller, and Rektok Ross’ debut Ski Weekend delivers chills, thrills, and an eerie atmosphere. This survivalist YA thriller is just the read to pick up (bundled up with a cozy blanket) once the snow sticks this season. Or if you live in a warmer climate, like me, once the calendar approaches Christmas.

Stranded in a deadly environment, six teens and, seriously, the best dog ever (hello, Champion) face impossible odds and are forced to make impossible choices.

Bring together six unlikely teens (think, The Breakfast Club vibes), set them off on a road trip to a ski lodge, and have that trip ended in a snowstorm and disaster, and you’ve got yourself a killer (yes, I went there) YA novel. Sam, Stuart, Gavin, Hunter, Britney, and Lily are six high schoolers from six different walks of life who are all dying (I know, enough already with the terrible puns) to get to a ski lodge. Except for protagonist, Sam. Sam doesn’t really care about the party at the lodge. She’s only on this trip for her younger brother, Stuart.

Through Sam’s eyes readers see the story (and the drama, oh, there is drama) unfold. Sam’s got a smart head on her shoulders and is the one who initially cautions against taking the shortcut that leads everyone into trouble. But it’s (jock) Hunter’s survival knowledge that turns out to be lifesaving. And this expectation vs. reality is only one way in which Sam (throughout the novel) confronts her preconceived notions. Britney is more than just the princess stereotype. Sam’s best friend, Lily, is more than just brainy. People are complex. And so are the characters in Ski Weekend.

Writing a survivalist thriller (making the environment the baddie) is no simple task, and Rektok Ross has knocked it out of the park. From page one, there’s a sense of impending doom. After disaster strikes, just try to set this novel down. The suspense is intense. And as the six teens (and dog, Champion) are left stranded in a hostile, frozen wilderness, we are left with our hands glued to the page. Ski Weekend is a marvel of a YA suspense read, in which character arcs and plot unfold effortlessly in the writing.

What’s more to love: sibling bonds, defied tropes, diverse cast of characters, a delicious slow burn romance, will (almost certainly) make you cry and hug those you love extra tight (the emotions!), disability representation.

A knockout debut.

It is rare for me not to finish a book, but I’m calling it quits on this one at 48% and I have no regrets about it.

The writing style is quite juvenile, which may be appropriate for a YA novel I suppose, but it bothered me. There is zero suspense and no sense of urgency for these kids trapped in a life-threatening situation. The characters are little more than caricatures of teen stereotypes and lack depth. Hunter is quite ridiculous, being a cowboy jock who has spent all his life in California, but dresses and talks like he’s from Texas. He also has some impressive talents. Part Bear Grylls, he’s a survival expert, meteorologist, wildlife expert, mechanic, and medical professional to name a few. Quite the resume for a high school football player….eye roll. And it is for these reasons I am abandoning ship.

I found this to be a great binge read. I liked the fact that it was a thriller where there was no bad guy - it was the environment & their own decisions that were causing their issues. While none of the characters were particularly endearing, I did enjoy the different dynamics each brought to the story.

This was a great book and quick read. I enjoyed getting to see the flashback memories Sam had with some of the characters. Each character had their own personality (sometimes some of them were not like able) and they were well written. You definitely will feel a few different emotions while reading this!

“ A few days ago, we were a bunch of teenagers heading on a weekend ski trip. Now we’re choosing which of us will live and die.”

And how did this happen? Sam decides to go with her brother Stuart and their best friend Gavin on a Christmas ski trip to a resort in the Sierras. She hopes she can keep them out of trouble and besides, her best friend and Stuart’s girlfriend Lily is with them as is Brittany, who may be Gavin’s girlfriend, and his football buddy Hunter. Things go bad quickly when a snowstorm closes the road and they decide to take a short-cut. It’s no surprise that the road isn’t plowed and they end up stuck in a snowdrift, alone in the cold and the dark. Now the story becomes one of survival. Tempers flare. There are injuries. There are animals. And snow. More snow. And more snow. And no spoilers from me.

This is a well-written fast read. These are characters you will care about and want them to find their way out of what seems to be a hopeless situation. Different personalities react in different ways - characters are sometimes likable, sometimes not. Ski Weekend should be a movie. In fact, the characters all think it will be and discuss who will play them. Plan to read this thriller straight through and be prepared. The Christmas scene will make you cry. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, SparkPress and Rektok Ross for this ARC.

I enjoyed this book and all of the emotions it made me feel. Well written and perfect for anyone, YA or adults.

This book was compulsively readable but was confusing in its tone. I liked all of the characters quite a bit. They were believable teenagers. That said, though they were in a terrifying situation, the tone of the book for the most part was somewhat upbeat in such a way that when something truly terrible did happen, I just didn’t believe it and felt nothing.

This book had a major trigger for me (vomit), so that hampered my enjoyment quite a bit as well. I’m not triggered by much, but that’s a big one for me, personally.

Overall, I think the setting of this book is what made it truly interesting. It definitely had its moments, and I never wanted to give up on it but as a thriller, it kind of missed the mark as far as being believable. I’d still recommend it if it sounds interesting to you!

🦄 Summary:
It should have been a nice ski weekend - but after taking a wrong turn and crashing the car, Sam and her five friends are stranded in the snow, with limited amounts of  food, and very different opinions on how to solve their problem. It doesn't take them long to realize they have no possibility to call for help, or to be found soon. And when two of them get hurt, survival instinct kicks in, making them fight over supplies, and insult each other on a personal level. But Sam doesn't only fight for herself - her top priority is getting her injured little brother out alive...

🦄 My opinion:
Ski Weekend is a slow-burn survival thriller that has some characteristics of a locked-room mystery. I really enjoyed the setting and the atmosphere. Though the first half reads very much like the YA-book it is (I didn't like the romance/crush part, but I guess that's just me), the second half picks up on speed, depth and emotional intensity. Heck, this book even made me cry! The characters were well crafted, their worries and problems believable. I also liked how the author characterized the people from different social groups and how this makes them feel about each other. If you like survival stories and books about very different characters being stuck together, Ski Weekend is for you. It is a story about love, faith, and sacrifice that deals with such important topics - like anorexia, racism, and domestic violence, to name a few.
PS: Of course, my favorite character was Champion, the dog! 🐶😂

🦄 I can't wait to see what Rektok Ross will come up with next! 😍

🦄 Parts of this book reminded me of:
Throw No Exit by Taylor Adams and One By One by Ruth Ware together and make a YA edition, and you have this book.

IA group of seven young people and a dog take off for a ski weekend together. They are loving the fact that they are away from home and looking forward to getting on the slopes. On route they encounter some weather difficulties and take action to try and reach their destination, even though the storm is closing in. Their trials and the obstacles they had to overcome had me reading through the night to finish it. A great read suitable for all.