Winter term means many things at Dartmouth. Interestingly, they all seem to start with start with the letter "S." Sickness. Seasonal Affective Disorder. Snowball fights on the Green. And most importantly, skiing and snowboarding.
You've seen the legions of Dartmouth students dressed in their trendy ski jackets, trekking to the bus stop lugging their boots, helmets and sports equipment of choice. Some of these courageous souls brave the elements to get their P.E. credit and in doing so participate in what's seen as a rite of passage at Dartmouth. After all, we've all bragged to our friends and family about how Dartmouth is "so close to nature" and how all of the students here "really know how to make the most of the winter," right?
Because Dartmouth has its own Skiway and is located so close to other ideal ski locations, classes and organizations dedicated to skiing and snowboarding classes are extremely popular. The Dartmouth Ski Patrol, an organization over 60 years old, attracts avid skiers and snowboarders interested in promoting safety at the Dartmouth Skiway. Members of Ski Patrol are certified Outdoor Emergency Care Technicians and provide immediate medical care to Skiway visitors, according to the Ski Patrol website. Ski Patrol primarily consists of unpaid volunteers who undergo approximately 200 hours of training before becoming fully qualified patrollers.
A number of students also teach skiing and snowboarding classes at the Skiway. Michelle Lee '13 taught a snowboarding class last winter and will be doing so again this term.
"I think skiing and snowboarding are really fun ways to get outside, and teaching is a great way to meet random people you wouldn't have met before," she said.
Lee adds that ski and snowboard instructors enjoy perks including a free season pass to the Skiway, free season rentals and a free bus pass.
But there's a world for skiers and snowboarders outside the Dartmouth Skiway, and for those with adequate skills and a mode of transportation, the Upper Valley offers a plethora of ideal winter sport destinations. If you're itching to get off the J-Bar and try your hand on new terrain, look no further than the following nearby mountains:
If you ... never want to ski the same run twice: Killington
Located in central Vermont, Killington's mountain range (referred to as "The Beast") includes six mountains totaling over 70 square miles of terrain. While the resort offers a wide variety of trails, the $84 one-day weekend pass is most worthwhile if you've got the skills to brave the resort's many terrain parks, such as the Stash, the Superpipe and the Dream Maker. If you're an avid skier/snowboarder, consider Killington's College Pass which, at $399, gives you unlimited access during the entire season.
If you ... are going with friends of varying skill levels: Okemo
Okemo bills itself as a family-oriented mountain resort and is located in Ludlow, Vt. A one-day weekend pass costs $79 and allows you to explore over 630 acres of terrain, split evenly between beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Mike Barile '13 snowboards at Okemo and vouches for the size, quality and variety of trails the resort offers: "It has everything from the greenest of the green to the scariest double blacks."
If you ... are looking for a casual skiing experience: Mount Sunapee
Located in southern New Hampshire about 50 minutes from campus, Sunapee is smaller than resorts like Killington, but still maintains a variety of trails, from greens to double blacks. Anne Rosenblum '12 says she has skied at Sunapee with her family for years. "It's mostly medium difficulty, so it's fun but not super challenging for less experienced skiers," she said.
Rosenblum notes that Sunapee can get busy around vacation time, but is otherwise uncrowded. "My favorite part about Sunapee is that they have really good snow quality, and less ice," she said. Weekend lift tickets cost $70, but college students receive $15 off on weekends and get half off during the week.
If you ... aren't intimidated by moguls the size of boulders: Mad River Glen
This resort claims to offer "the most challenging skiing in the East, bar none." Garnering 250 inches of snowfall annually, the resort is for skiers only and offers mostly intermediate and expert trails, with a few beginner routes as well. You can get a weekend day pass for $65, and pre-season deals are also available.
If you ... want to get away for the weekend: Stowe
This resort, located in Vermont about 90 minutes from campus, offers a range of trails of mostly intermediate-and-above levels of difficulty. In addition to traditional chair lifts, the resort features an eight-person gondola to get you from place to place. Julia Kelson '12 said that when visibility conditions are good, you can make the most of Stowe's tougher trails. A one-day pass usually costs $84, but tickets are available for $59 early and late in the season.
If you ... want to get the most bang for your buck: Stratton
This Vermont resort, which climbs more than 2000 feet vertically, offers a range of trails including challenging double blacks for advanced skiers, as well as several freestyle areas and a few beginner routes. A one-day weekend pass costs $79, but the resort is also running a promotion with Okemo and Sunapee full-time students can buy an unlimited season pass to all three resorts for only $299.
