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Life After High School

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715.
Posts: 609 - Karma: 389
Alright NS I am in need of some help. I am very picky and it has been very hard for me to choose what to do with my life. I know i will for sure be going to college but i do not know where. I currently live in Wisconsin and I absolutely hate it here. I would love to move somewhere out west. No I am not the typical NS kid that wants to be mainstream and move to Colorado to ski. I am planning to go somewhere with Ecology and I would love to have an outdoor job.

I am strongly considering moving and gaining residency somewhere in order to afford going to school somewhere else.

Things I consider important about the location
- not TOO difficult to gain residency
- thick forests and places i can hike to
- ski resort within ~2hours (must have a solid park )
- easy enough to get a job
- not too experience to live
- not crappy weather 24/7

Preferably this would be somewhere close to a college I would want to go to. I always dream of being able to look out and see snowy mountains.

As for the college I am looking for
- variety of courses in ecology
- not too small (10,000 plus students) so probably public
- hopefully somewhere i can take my car
- solid party life ( I would like to go out and have fun occasionally but not be overwhelmed )
- not in a big city ( not a fan of them )

I know this is a lot to ask NS but please help me out!?

+k for helpful ideas
Oct 25 2014 8:01PM
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E__
Posts: 5751 - Karma: 4,635
Washington or Oregon for sure.

Or come up to BC!
Oct 25 2014 8:05PM
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715.
Posts: 609 - Karma: 389
My biggest consideration so far has been WWU in Bellingham, Washington. However, I am not a big fan of constant rain and Mt. Baker doesnt have much for a park

BTW i am a sucker for great views and I would love to be able to on weekends hike to secluded spots like this



Blanca Lake in Washington
Oct 25 2014 8:07PM
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cool_name
Posts: 4295 - Karma: 3,131
you learn to live with the rain, just think when it is raining in the city it is snowing in the mountains
Oct 25 2014 8:41PM
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zwilly
Posts: 635 - Karma: 1,908
Canada, its pretty cheap and really has a lot to do outdoors. I dont know about finding very many good parks up there to though.
Oct 25 2014 9:31PM
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steezysteeze
Posts: 1739 - Karma: 1,012
swillyCanada, its pretty cheap and really has a lot to do outdoors. I dont know about finding very many good parks up there to though.


You must have not seen much of Canada then...
Oct 25 2014 9:49PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
It's gonna be tough to find a place that is both cheap and easy to find a job. The more jobs, the bigger the population, and usually - the higher the cost of living.

Bend, OR might be what you are looking for. Not sure if the schools there offer the courses you want to take, but it's on the dry side of the Cascades, close to skiing, mountains and beautiful forests - it sits on the edge of the forest on one side and arid grasslands/desert on the other. A good size town, but not crazy big.
Oct 25 2014 9:58PM
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Hodor
Posts: 503 - Karma: 2,578
BOZEMAN MONTANA!!!! it literally matches every criteria on your list. I just moved here for grad school and this might be the best place on earth. I will list why bozeman is perfect for ya.

1. Bridger Bowl 25 mins away
2. Big sky 1 hr away (better parks)
- but pass is expensive if you are not a student
3. TONS of awesome hikes close to town.
4. Lots of part time job opportunities because so many students are in and out.
5. Big Sky/ Yellowstone club hire lots of seasonal employees in winter
6. great food, great people, super outdoorsy, not too expensive
7. Perfect size for a large town. big enough to not feel limiting, but small enough to have a small town communal feel
8. Residency fairly easy to attain.
9. Montana State University is known fort its ecology, geology, forestry, etc. programs. Very strong in earth and life sciences.
10. MSU has a fun but not too aggressive party scene
11. Great bars
12. Surrounded by mind blowing natural beauty

This place hits every single thing you are looking for.
Oct 25 2014 10:38PM
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toastyteenagers
Posts: 1834 - Karma: 6,793
I guess your not Mormon enough to go to U of U
Oct 25 2014 11:28PM
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loopie
Posts: 142 - Karma: 152
Life after high school is filled with questionable pussy that you wonder if you should raw dog.

Also all your criteria fit in with 100% of the NS population. Yes, I'm being a dick right now, but there are TONS of places like that.

Montana and Utah are the first to come to mind. If you want to gain residency in an area, go out there, get a job, feel it out and if you are not digging it move on to the next place.

Don't we all want a place where it's not hard to get a job?

If you remove wanting a school that has a 10,000+ population the options are limitless around the world (not just the US).

Take a chance and do what feels right.
Oct 25 2014 11:38PM
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crotchvent
Posts: 1527 - Karma: 2,184
Check out University of Wyoming.
Oct 25 2014 11:44PM
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000000000000
Posts: 843 - Karma: 1,552
lord_sauron10. MSU has a fun but not too aggressive party scene


It can get pretty heavy, check out the TRVP house if it hasn't been condemned
Oct 26 2014 3:17AM
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steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,026
loopieAlso all your criteria fit in with 100% of the NS population.


Haha not at all, what are you talking about
Oct 26 2014 9:24AM
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JAHpow
Posts: 7282 - Karma: 17,175
lord_sauronBOZEMAN MONTANA!!!! it literally matches every criteria on your list. I just moved here for grad school and this might be the best place on earth. I will list why bozeman is perfect for ya.

1. Bridger Bowl 25 mins away
2. Big sky 1 hr away (better parks)
- but pass is expensive if you are not a student
3. TONS of awesome hikes close to town.
4. Lots of part time job opportunities because so many students are in and out.
5. Big Sky/ Yellowstone club hire lots of seasonal employees in winter
6. great food, great people, super outdoorsy, not too expensive
7. Perfect size for a large town. big enough to not feel limiting, but small enough to have a small town communal feel
8. Residency fairly easy to attain.
9. Montana State University is known fort its ecology, geology, forestry, etc. programs. Very strong in earth and life sciences.
10. MSU has a fun but not too aggressive party scene
11. Great bars
12. Surrounded by mind blowing natural beauty

This place hits every single thing you are looking for.


Yup, definitely consider this place OP.

As I read OP's post I was like, "he needs to check out bozeman."
Oct 26 2014 10:59AM
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715.
Posts: 609 - Karma: 389
JAHpowYup, definitely consider this place OP.

As I read OP's post I was like, "he needs to check out bozeman."


Thank you guys! I will definitely check out MSU
Oct 26 2014 11:41AM
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gnar_whal
Posts: 1286 - Karma: 3,787
715.My biggest consideration so far has been WWU in Bellingham, Washington. However, I am not a big fan of constant rain and Mt. Baker doesnt have much for a park

BTW i am a sucker for great views and I would love to be able to on weekends hike to secluded spots like this



Blanca Lake in Washington


I was up in the PNW this summer so I had to check WW out. I would love to go there, although it probably won't happen. Bellingham is a really cool place, WWs campus is like an hour from Baker, which gets the most snowfall in the world. The parks may not be the best, but if you want amazing pow skiing, go there.
Oct 26 2014 11:43AM
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,364
1)Hates Wisconsin
2)User name is Wisconsin area code
3)hurrrr
Oct 26 2014 12:08PM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,484
Its not easy to find an ecology type job anywhere. So good luck with that
Oct 26 2014 12:17PM
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715.
Posts: 609 - Karma: 389
gnar_whalI was up in the PNW this summer so I had to check WW out. I would love to go there, although it probably won't happen. Bellingham is a really cool place, WWs campus is like an hour from Baker, which gets the most snowfall in the world. The parks may not be the best, but if you want amazing pow skiing, go there.


Unfortunately im more into park skiing than pow
Oct 26 2014 12:59PM
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715.
Posts: 609 - Karma: 389
El_Barto.1)Hates Wisconsin
2)User name is Wisconsin area code
3)hurrrr


sorry im not as creative as you barto ;)
Oct 26 2014 1:00PM
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Ski_Alot
Posts: 5900 - Karma: 3,619
715.My biggest consideration so far has been WWU in Bellingham, Washington. However, I am not a big fan of constant rain and Mt. Baker doesnt have much for a park

BTW i am a sucker for great views and I would love to be able to on weekends hike to secluded spots like this



Blanca Lake in Washington

I toured there, its awesome. The rain is tolerable when you consider it's all snow in the mountains.
Oct 26 2014 1:00PM
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715.
Posts: 609 - Karma: 389
Anyone know about Nevada At Reno? I'd love to visit Lake Tahoe someday and there's plenty of resorts out there
Oct 26 2014 1:37PM
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
715.Anyone know about Nevada At Reno? I'd love to visit Lake Tahoe someday and there's plenty of resorts out there


Yeah I grew up in the are and went to UNR. Awesome school. Fits all of your criteria. The party scene might be a bit more aggressive than you're looking for, but easily avoided. I dont know how much ecology stuff there is though. Nevada has a very strong school of mines and school of agriculture.

Also, why are you so anti-colorado? There's a reason why its a trend for the NSer type to come to Colorado. It meets every part of your criteria.

If you have questions about UNR let me know.
Oct 26 2014 5:23PM
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Bateman
Posts: 8591 - Karma: 8,600
E__Washington or Oregon for sure.

Or come up to BC!


i'm not too familiar with the US, geographically speaking. I'm from Norway, and I know that if i were to live anywhere in the US it would be Portland, Oregon.
Oct 26 2014 5:54PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51615 - Karma: 162,020
This is one of those tbreads where ns judt becomes travels agents. Its one thing to just ask where ns becomes your travel agent.

Lol at colorado bring too "mainstream" for you. There are good parks all over, there is good hiking everywhere.

Just put a map on a dart board and send it. No jersey no jersey.
Oct 26 2014 6:02PM
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-WZ-
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 6,582
Come up to BC! im in the same boat, last year of HS and im thinking UBC or SFU would be great. Ive thought about going down to the states too though
Oct 26 2014 6:02PM
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gnar_whal
Posts: 1286 - Karma: 3,787
715.Unfortunately im more into park skiing than pow

I'm not saying the parks at Baker and Stevens pass are bad, it's just they aren't the huge parks like keystone or breck have
Oct 26 2014 7:54PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
715.My biggest consideration so far has been WWU in Bellingham, Washington. However, I am not a big fan of constant rain and Mt. Baker doesnt have much for a park

BTW i am a sucker for great views and I would love to be able to on weekends hike to secluded spots like this



Blanca Lake in Washington


i go to wwu and have lived most of my life in bellingham. it really doesnt rain that much. during the fall/winter it's just gray a lot. we only get about 34 inches a year (olympia gets 50+ and the olympic coast gets 140 inches a year). if you have any questions pm me. you can easily ski stevens pass if you have a car as wwu student. lots of people do, because of how cheap season passes are compared to baker.
Oct 26 2014 7:58PM
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tBatt
Posts: 9632 - Karma: 580
Bozeman, Durango, or Crested Butte.
Oct 26 2014 8:19PM
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715.
Posts: 609 - Karma: 389
TheSeaCaptainYeah I grew up in the are and went to UNR. Awesome school. Fits all of your criteria. The party scene might be a bit more aggressive than you're looking for, but easily avoided. I dont know how much ecology stuff there is though. Nevada has a very strong school of mines and school of agriculture.

Also, why are you so anti-colorado? There's a reason why its a trend for the NSer type to come to Colorado. It meets every part of your criteria.

If you have questions about UNR let me know.


I'm not really anti colorado it's just that I've heard it can be a challenge to gain residency there
Oct 26 2014 9:20PM
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Simon.k
Posts: 918 - Karma: 1,053
didn't read past the first line, but it sounds like you need some Washington
Oct 26 2014 10:18PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10815 - Karma: 57,158
Hi, I live in Bozeman, and will be trying for instate starting next semester. Our town seems like the perfect place for you.

Also, I'm from Reno, and know a bit about UNR, I can def help answer some questions about it!
Oct 26 2014 10:26PM
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Ghoster
Posts: 261 - Karma: 1,871
715.Unfortunately im more into park skiing than pow

Wut?
Oct 26 2014 10:36PM
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
I also lived in Bozeman, and I agree with the above posts, except I wouldn't say that we have great parks. BS and MB's parks are fine, but there's certainly much better park skiing to be had in the Western US. We have great inbounds big mountain skiing though, so if you wanna get into that in addition to skiing park Bozeman's a good place to be.
Oct 26 2014 11:04PM
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the~muffin~man
Posts: 364 - Karma: 76
lord_sauronBOZEMAN MONTANA!!!! it literally matches every criteria on your list. I just moved here for grad school and this might be the best place on earth. I will list why bozeman is perfect for ya.

1. Bridger Bowl 25 mins away
2. Big sky 1 hr away (better parks)
- but pass is expensive if you are not a student
3. TONS of awesome hikes close to town.
4. Lots of part time job opportunities because so many students are in and out.
5. Big Sky/ Yellowstone club hire lots of seasonal employees in winter
6. great food, great people, super outdoorsy, not too expensive
7. Perfect size for a large town. big enough to not feel limiting, but small enough to have a small town communal feel
8. Residency fairly easy to attain.
9. Montana State University is known fort its ecology, geology, forestry, etc. programs. Very strong in earth and life sciences.
10. MSU has a fun but not too aggressive party scene
11. Great bars
12. Surrounded by mind blowing natural beauty

This place hits every single thing you are looking for.


I can second this! Just moved up here for school at the beginning of the semester.
Oct 26 2014 11:06PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
only thing iv heard about montana in general is the lady pickings is slim... and the awesome ones who dont have the clap etc are all taken.
Oct 26 2014 11:46PM
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Dlud
Posts: 938 - Karma: 544
DrailIt's gonna be tough to find a place that is both cheap and easy to find a job. The more jobs, the bigger the population, and usually - the higher the cost of living.

Bend, OR might be what you are looking for. Not sure if the schools there offer the courses you want to take, but it's on the dry side of the Cascades, close to skiing, mountains and beautiful forests - it sits on the edge of the forest on one side and arid grasslands/desert on the other. A good size town, but not crazy big.


Bend is a good call. Oregon state university is currently opening a new college in bend, I'd check it out. Not sure if they have an ecology program or not, but you should be able to figure it out pretty easy.
Oct 26 2014 11:53PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
Its sounds like UBC might fit your bill. I can't speak much specifically about Ecology. But I have met some grads in that area, so it does exist.

As an undergrad, your first few years I assume would be general biology. But the school is massive so I'm sure there would be someone that would have a similar research to yours.

There are 3 mountains near the city ( 2 with decent parks) and whistler roughly 2 hours away.
Oct 27 2014 12:22AM
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macavity
Posts: 264 - Karma: 493
TheSeaCaptainYeah I grew up in the are and went to UNR. Awesome school. Fits all of your criteria. The party scene might be a bit more aggressive than you're looking for, but easily avoided. I dont know how much ecology stuff there is though. Nevada has a very strong school of mines and school of agriculture.

Also, why are you so anti-colorado? There's a reason why its a trend for the NSer type to come to Colorado. It meets every part of your criteria.

If you have questions about UNR let me know.


I can second UNR. I'm there right now as a freshman. It has a ton of skiing, all under 2 hours away. Northstar is renown for it's park, and from what I understand, boreal isn't half bad either. It's relatively inexpensive as a school. not to mention, tahoe is absolutely beautiful. the lake is gorgeous and surrounded by pristine forests and a bunch of smaller lakes and ponds, perfect for those who like hiking and swimming out doors.
Oct 27 2014 3:56AM
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daannnnieel
Posts: 5163 - Karma: 4,293
hey man, look at the first post.

Kelowna british columbia is literally what you described, there's a couple pretty good schools, and 2x mountains with solid parks within an hour away. We have seasons, and we also have amazing variety in hiking areas.

Well, bc as a whole kinda does but kelowna likes to fucking party, and it's not a big town.
Oct 27 2014 4:01AM
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Utard
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 305
Utah /thread
Oct 27 2014 10:53AM
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nosnowsnakes
Posts: 301 - Karma: 133
715.Anyone know about Nevada At Reno? I'd love to visit Lake Tahoe someday and there's plenty of resorts out there


UNR is pretty sweet. I have a couple friends studying there. If you're interested in Tahoe Sierra Nevada College is right on the lake in Tahoe. It's really small (600 people) but it fits the rest of your criteria and they don't have any residency requirements. You can be at the closest resort (Diamond Peak) in under 5 minutes from campus - Northstar, Alpine Meadows and Squaw are under 45 minutes away and hanging out in the library is a lot like hanging out in the lodge at your favorite park.... tall boys included.They have a growing Environmental Science program but they're best known for Ski Business Management and Business in general. They're really big on experiential learning and most classes spend at least some time outside every week. I graduated from SNC in 2013.
Oct 27 2014 6:17PM
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edai
Posts: 4987 - Karma: 4,653
UtardUtah /thread


explain
Oct 27 2014 6:25PM
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715.
Posts: 609 - Karma: 389
shastownskierUNR is pretty sweet. I have a couple friends studying there. If you're interested in Tahoe Sierra Nevada College is right on the lake in Tahoe. It's really small (600 people) but it fits the rest of your criteria and they don't have any residency requirements. You can be at the closest resort (Diamond Peak) in under 5 minutes from campus - Northstar, Alpine Meadows and Squaw are under 45 minutes away and hanging out in the library is a lot like hanging out in the lodge at your favorite park.... tall boys included.They have a growing Environmental Science program but they're best known for Ski Business Management and Business in general. They're really big on experiential learning and most classes spend at least some time outside every week. I graduated from SNC in 2013.


I have considered SNC but unfortunately it is way too expensive and a bit too small for my liking
Oct 27 2014 11:50PM
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YUNG_milksteAk
Posts: 1437 - Karma: 4,328
I'm going to Montana state next year

I'm doing freshman year out of state and then dropping down to 6 credits and living in Montana to gain residency sophomore year to get instate tuition for junior and senior year.
Oct 28 2014 11:21AM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10815 - Karma: 57,158
YUNG_milksteAkI'm going to Montana state next year

I'm doing freshman year out of state and then dropping down to 6 credits and living in Montana to gain residency sophomore year to get instate tuition for junior and senior year.


I'm doing this right now.

OP, one thing to consider about UNR is the environment. Reno is a desert, unless you go to Tahoe or the Galena part of town, I don't think anyone mentioned that there is always something going on in Reno.
Oct 28 2014 11:28AM
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SFB
Posts: 8895 - Karma: 26,352
fort lewis in durango sounds like it would be right up your alley.
Oct 28 2014 11:42AM
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errrka
Posts: 2261 - Karma: 6,058
Life after college is even scarier.
Oct 28 2014 12:54PM
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Logan.
Posts: 717 - Karma: 1,862
715.My biggest consideration so far has been WWU in Bellingham, Washington. However, I am not a big fan of constant rain and Mt. Baker doesnt have much for a park


Mt. Baker basically has NO park. FYI

swillyCanada, its pretty cheap and really has a lot to do outdoors. I dont know about finding very many good parks up there to though.


Looooooool. Canada has great parks haha. If you went to UBC (Vancouver, Canada) you have Grouse and Seymour really close with good parks, Grouse is even easy by transit (night skiing woo!). And then on weekends or if you have a day off, whistler is only 2 hours away (amazing park and everything, often voted best resort in North America). Plus UBC is kind of secluded from Vancouver so you only feel like you're at a big university, you don't feel like you're actually in the huge city.

Another thing that a lot of people don't consider is UBCO (That's the okanagan campus of ubc, google maps that shit since you probably don't know where it is.) From there you have big white and silverstar (both amazing mountains with great parks) AND you said you didn't want a huge city, UBCO is pretty small and maybe 20min away from kelowna, which isn't thaaaaat big of a city.

Tl;dr UBC and UBCO, look them up! Have the programs you want, and amazing skiing close by.

Plus they have a sick ski and board club.
Oct 28 2014 1:51PM
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ged.bend
Posts: 156 - Karma: 1,483
swillyCanada, its pretty cheap and really has a lot to do outdoors. I dont know about finding very many good parks up there to though.


lol cheap. no way, canada fucks you on every front, food, alcohol, housing, gasoline, cigarettes, the list goes on forever. I moved to bc for college and I'm getting the fuck out and back to colorado. don't move to canada.
Oct 28 2014 2:35PM
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Dirac
Posts: 1304 - Karma: 335
life ends after high school. Seriously, your best years are behind you.
Oct 28 2014 3:49PM
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