Nendaz Backcountry Invitational

Member of the Month

partyandBS
December, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Best colleges for skiing

profile picture
ethannn
Posts: 79 - Karma: -523
Planning on going to a college with good skiing and want to know which ones have the best ski culture. Ive heard of several but everyone seems to have a different opinion.
Feb 6 2024 5:31PM
12 5
profile picture
profa_212
Posts: 8987 - Karma: 37,020
Dude honestly this gets posted like 25 times a year. Go use the search bar if you want to see actual discussions about it.


UNR
Utah
MSU
UVM if youre into east coast
Western Washington
CU boulder
CSU
Other various CO universities like western CO
yada yada yada
Feb 6 2024 5:42PM
23 0
profile picture
Rock_Inhabitant
Posts: 1231 - Karma: 12,543
Haha I made a thread exactly like this a few months ago. Take a look at mine there is a lot of good info in there
Feb 6 2024 6:20PM
7 0
profile picture
weastcoat
Posts: 6437 - Karma: 74,322
Bishop sycamore
Feb 6 2024 7:02PM
23 0
profile picture
beepski
Posts: 40 - Karma: 378
I’m also applying to colleges soon and I was wondering the same things. Right now my top pick is CU boulder. Great ski culture and awesome school.
Feb 6 2024 7:06PM
4 8
profile picture
midwestcoast
Posts: 214 - Karma: 2,144
If you want a good school, where you still get legit college-life experience, I'd recommend University of Utah or Montana State. I feel like Utah has more to offer, but Bozeman is a great spot too. CU Boulder is a great school but you're not as close to good skiing ~1.5 hours vs 30 minutes at the others....
Feb 6 2024 7:12PM
3 0
profile picture
wyobro
Posts: 44 - Karma: 461
Not biased or anything but if you want cheap go to the university of Wyoming. Tons of people from Colorado come here bc even out of state tuition is cheaper. ~2 hrs to steamboat and winter park which kinda sucks but if you’re willing to car camp it’s not totally awful
Feb 6 2024 7:22PM
2 0
profile picture
SteezyYeeter
Posts: 3669 - Karma: -11,709
profa_212Dude honestly this gets posted like 25 times a year. Go use the search bar if you want to see actual discussions about it.


UNR
Utah
MSU
UVM if youre into east coast
Western Washington
CU boulder
CSU
Other various CO universities like western CO
yada yada yada


if you on the east coast you should be hitting up middlebury, that way you're actually getting an education in addition to skiing
Feb 6 2024 7:33PM
2 6
profile picture
Farmville420
Posts: 4837 - Karma: 62,284
UMass Lowell
Feb 6 2024 7:42PM
8 1
profile picture
ScootSkiLyfe
Posts: 1035 - Karma: 5,526
Don't sleep on University of Minnesota-Duluth if you want to have easy-access to fun skiing. Three different ski hills within 25 minutes of campus. I try to get out 5 or 6 days a week.

Obviously it's not the same vibe as being out west, I highly recommend if you're from the Midwest to get out and explore different areas. But if you love skiing but want to have your focus be on graduating college it's not bad. If you love skiing and you just are going to college cuz your parents want you to/it seems like the best option, go explore!

I started my college experience out west at a place that felt like a good fit to me at the time (Lewis & Clark College) as they gave me a good scholarship and I didn't really want to be in school. I ended up dropping out for a while before I moved back to MN to finish my degree.
Feb 6 2024 7:43PM
7 1
profile picture
isaacwrong
Posts: 2316 - Karma: 17,917
East Coast Schools with freeski reps

Umaine Farmington- Loaf/SR 45min-1hr
Castleton University- Killington 40min
UVM/Champlain/Saint Mikes- Bush 1hr
Plymouth State- Loon/Waterville 30min
UMASS- 1hrish to mt snow

I'd suggest looking at schools first based on interests with their academic program offerings though. Unless you don't care and just are going to attend a massive d1 school with everything
Feb 6 2024 7:58PM
9 0
profile picture
Voyage86
Posts: 928 - Karma: 3,605
midwestcoastIf you want a good school, where you still get legit college-life experience, I'd recommend University of Utah or Montana State. I feel like Utah has more to offer, but Bozeman is a great spot too. CU Boulder is a great school but you're not as close to good skiing ~1.5 hours vs 30 minutes at the others....


i mean eldora is 30 mins from boulder
Feb 6 2024 8:25PM
6 0
profile picture
Farmville420
Posts: 4837 - Karma: 62,284
midwestcoastIf you want a good school, where you still get legit college-life experience, I'd recommend University of Utah or Montana State. I feel like Utah has more to offer, but Bozeman is a great spot too. CU Boulder is a great school but you're not as close to good skiing ~1.5 hours vs 30 minutes at the others....

There is literally a bus from Boulder to Eldora and the ride is almost exactly 30 minutes long hahaha
Feb 6 2024 8:37PM
8 0
profile picture
WoFlowz
Posts: 7985 - Karma: 64,140
SteezyYeeterif you on the east coast you should be hitting up middlebury, that way you're actually getting an education in addition to skiing


or williams, or bates or Dartmouth or colby. Imo middlebury is a sorry ass school. I’ve only met one person who goes there and likes it. Everyone else (4/5) ik has transferred or spent everymoment regretting it.
Feb 6 2024 9:34PM
3 3
profile picture
WoFlowz
Posts: 7985 - Karma: 64,140
midwestcoastIf you want a good school, where you still get legit college-life experience, I'd recommend University of Utah or Montana State. I feel like Utah has more to offer, but Bozeman is a great spot too. CU Boulder is a great school but you're not as close to good skiing ~1.5 hours vs 30 minutes at the others....


U of Utah is an amazing public research uni, especially in the medical/hard sciences fields
Feb 6 2024 9:36PM
3 0
profile picture
jompcock
Posts: 1554 - Karma: 11,629
Voyage86i mean eldora is 30 mins from boulder


Get the east coast ski experience with colorado tuition and cost of living!
Feb 6 2024 10:03PM
10 0
profile picture
WoFlowz
Posts: 7985 - Karma: 64,140
OP of you‘re into a liberal arts education I would suggest SLU. Very large ski culture, the Outing Club actually hosts multiple events on campus and just about every car has a ski box or roof rack on it in canton. Very affordable triple pass to whiteface, gore and bellyare. Not the closest but you will meet tons of skiers and also have the opportunity to live in the outing house (themed house of outdoors and partying) and not just meet but live with like minded people. The usually go on a few trips a year as well as weekly backcountry trips, weekends at whiteface and also hold intercollegiate tailgates at whiteface.
St Lawrence offers a pretty great education and even better connections and opportunities. The alumni network is sorta insane, you have to experience it. The school is also very generous with need and scholarships which makes it easier to attend than you’d think. Lots of kids who do attend however are private/boarding school kids and it shows. However, Canton is cute but not big or lavish so it forces everyone to mix and mingle on campus together, a wet campus encourages this in my opinion lol. Definitely worth looking into OP as i’ll most likely be attending their unless I am accepted to dartmouth.
Feb 6 2024 10:03PM
0 6
profile picture
SteezyYeeter
Posts: 3669 - Karma: -11,709
WoFlowzor williams, or bates or Dartmouth or colby. Imo middlebury is a sorry ass school. I’ve only met one person who goes there and likes it. Everyone else (4/5) ik has transferred or spent everymoment regretting it.

holy cross too. do you know any specific reasons why people don't flip with middlebury?
Feb 6 2024 10:27PM
1 0
profile picture
WoFlowz
Posts: 7985 - Karma: 64,140
SteezyYeeterholy cross too. do you know any specific reasons why people don't flip with middlebury?


course rigor, middlebury name only gets you so far in the northeast, lack of nightlife/things to do, not a ton of ammentities esp for the price
Feb 7 2024 7:12AM
5 0
profile picture
Celery
Posts: 2036 - Karma: 25,096
To add, it's 2hrs from sugarload but Umaine orono has a good chunk of people heading up there every weekend (me) and there's significantly more going on here then there is in Farmington. It's also not far from acadia national park.
isaacwrongEast Coast Schools with freeski reps

Umaine Farmington- Loaf/SR 45min-1hr
Castleton University- Killington 40min
UVM/Champlain/Saint Mikes- Bush 1hr
Plymouth State- Loon/Waterville 30min
UMASS- 1hrish to mt snow

I'd suggest looking at schools first based on interests with their academic program offerings though. Unless you don't care and just are going to attend a massive d1 school with everything
Feb 7 2024 7:17AM
4 0
profile picture
hi_vis360
Posts: 5128 - Karma: 52,338
WoFlowzor williams, or bates or Dartmouth or colby. Imo middlebury is a sorry ass school. I’ve only met one person who goes there and likes it. Everyone else (4/5) ik has transferred or spent everymoment regretting it.


Colby isn’t that close to skiing, tour guides straight up lie about the drive to sugarloaf. Had a good crew there but UMF is the superior Maine ski school by far
Feb 7 2024 7:58AM
6 0
profile picture
isaacwrong
Posts: 2316 - Karma: 17,917
WoFlowzor williams, or bates or Dartmouth or colby. Imo middlebury is a sorry ass school. I’ve only met one person who goes there and likes it. Everyone else (4/5) ik has transferred or spent everymoment regretting it.


hi_vis360Colby isn’t that close to skiing, tour guides straight up lie about the drive to sugarloaf. Had a good crew there but UMF is the superior Maine ski school by far


Also I feel like we should be assuming that the average ns user is probably not going to be able to attend a school with an acceptance rate of 6-12%, nescacs, ivy etc.
Feb 7 2024 8:03AM
11 0
profile picture
hi_vis360
Posts: 5128 - Karma: 52,338
isaacwrongAlso I feel like we should be assuming that the average ns user is probably not going to be able to attend a school with an acceptance rate of 6-12%, nescacs, ivy etc.


What are you talking about this website is full of GENIUSES
Feb 7 2024 8:17AM
11 0
profile picture
WoFlowz
Posts: 7985 - Karma: 64,140
isaacwrongAlso I feel like we should be assuming that the average ns user is probably not going to be able to attend a school with an acceptance rate of 6-12%, nescacs, ivy etc.


i feel like you’d be suprised, ik three kids from public schools going to nescacs and only one from a obscure sport which is ski racing. Ofc lots of these schools r full of prep school kids but i’ve been told by admissions and coaches at a few being a public school kid can benefit you in admissions and aid. Esp since like 90-96 percent of kids that attended nescacs are prep school kids.
Feb 7 2024 8:28AM
5 3
profile picture
WittyCong
Posts: 211 - Karma: 741
In Northern NY/VT specifically...

SLU
SUNY Potsdam
SUNY Plattsburgh
Clarkson
UVM

All are fairly close to some good skiing. UVM probably has the most access to a bunch of different mountains and the best ski culture, but all the other NY colleges have a good ski culture but you have to seek it out
Feb 7 2024 8:29AM
3 0
profile picture
isaacwrong
Posts: 2316 - Karma: 17,917
WoFlowzi feel like you’d be suprised, ik three kids from public schools going to nescacs and only one from a obscure sport which is ski racing. Ofc lots of these schools r full of prep school kids but i’ve been told by admissions and coaches at a few being a public school kid can benefit you in admissions and aid. Esp since like 90-96 percent of kids that attended nescacs are prep school kids.


This is tru..I'm just sayin the majority of NS is most likely not making moves to nescacs/ivys. Sure I know of people that have but the rigorous academics don't really provide for a great school/play balance unless you're a fuckin genius and can just roll out of bed and ace exams. As someone who transferred from SLU to Farmington after a year I can attest to it somewhat. For example, no way was I going to be able to ski 4-5 times per week at SLU. Farmington/the other schools are for the tru ski bums lol
Feb 7 2024 8:43AM
4 0
profile picture
WoFlowz
Posts: 7985 - Karma: 64,140
isaacwrongThis is tru..I'm just sayin the majority of NS is most likely not making moves to nescacs/ivys. Sure I know of people that have but the rigorous academics don't really provide for a great school/play balance unless you're a fuckin genius and can just roll out of bed and ace exams. As someone who transferred from SLU to Farmington after a year I can attest to it somewhat. For example, no way was I going to be able to ski 4-5 times per week at SLU. Farmington/the other schools are for the tru ski bums lol


SLU is sorta far from skiing, don’t disagree. Has a ski culture imo but not super close to skiing, however I have friends who have managed their work/life balance very well and ski 2-3 times a week, all while being athletes and upholding good grades.

I think you bring up a good point, OP I would not consider SLU, Dartmouth or Nescacs unless you have a really good academic standing, work ethic and time management. Definitely something I haven’t thought much about since it comes naturally to me.
Feb 7 2024 8:59AM
4 3
profile picture
ocklemmegetuhh
Posts: 110 - Karma: 1,237
any trade school that will get you a 6 figure union job in 6-8 months
Feb 7 2024 9:10AM
6 0
profile picture
SchizoSkier
Posts: 2780 - Karma: 30,083
Colorado western, CU boulder, fort Lewis college
Feb 7 2024 9:23AM
2 1
profile picture
RyanG603
Posts: 94 - Karma: 535
Plymouth State.
Check out @Plymouthfreeskii
Feb 7 2024 10:37AM
7 0
profile picture
jaxful
Posts: 101 - Karma: 816
Colorado Mountain College has a campus in most of the ski towns in CO. Another option (What I'm doing rn) is CSU online and just living/working at the mountain.
Feb 7 2024 11:12AM
2 0
profile picture
PresidentSkroob
Posts: 209 - Karma: -1,183
Put every dollar you have into cryptocurrency and skip college. What a fucking scam college is nowadays. You’re not paying tens of thousands for your degree, you’re paying tens of thousands to maintain top tier sports facilities for the student athletes who are attending on full scholarships. Young people are getting fucked so hard by universities, and everyone knows it, but it’s not gonna stop because kids are piling in anyways.

Your best bet at success in today’s world is to make a YouTube channel focused around causing disturbances in Walmart and hope that you blow up.
Feb 7 2024 11:22AM
18 3
profile picture
bmatfes
Posts: 13 - Karma: 61
umass is decent check @parkratsofamherst on instagram ski club is mad fun here but ive been trying to start a more freeski community, we have a rail jam on campus most years.
Feb 7 2024 12:03PM
2 0
profile picture
brownetown
Posts: 443 - Karma: 4,361
Gotta shout out university of Washington, it’s a pretty underrated school if you’re into big cities and like to ski. Snoqualmie is 45min away and has night skiing until 10pm so you can sesh central park after class, and crystal, stevens, and baker are all day trippable. There are 4 skiing-related student clubs on campus (husky snow club is the best) and Seattle has a pretty big ski scene, albeit mostly crunchy touring heads. K2, line, outdoor research, and REI are also based out here so you could look into interning/ working at one of those
Feb 7 2024 1:49PM
6 0
profile picture
edollo_dredlocks
Posts: 44 - Karma: 354
I get this could be not the best fit for every nser..Dartmouth has a pretty strong skiing crew with a lot of people from the winter sports club skiing tuckermans ravine each year and club has 1/2 annual hut trips and ski touring equipment for free if your into that. Also killington, sugarbush, and mrg are all within 2 hours and the school has its own ski hill 15 minutes from campus. Also hella private school heads.
Feb 7 2024 2:45PM
1 0
profile picture
PussyFinder
Posts: 277 - Karma: 802
This screams “my parents paying for college, I want a 4 year ski vacation”
only advice is don’t go to Vermont unless you’re into aggressive liberal chicks that dress like a skateshop
Feb 7 2024 2:55PM
4 5
profile picture
BayAreaJerry
Posts: 332 - Karma: 1,139
Fort Lewis is seriously a great one, freshman get a free ski pass too! Good park good snow. We have a rope tow on campus
Feb 7 2024 3:18PM
2 0
profile picture
profa_212
Posts: 8987 - Karma: 37,020
Bernie585This screams “my parents paying for college, I want a 4 year ski vacation”
only advice is don’t go to Vermont unless you’re into aggressive liberal chicks that dress like a skateshop


There's people that aren't into that?
Feb 7 2024 3:40PM
4 1
profile picture
HypeBeast
Posts: 9813 - Karma: 72,858
WoFlowzI would not consider SLU, Dartmouth or Nescacs unless you have a really good academic standing, work ethic and time management. Definitely something I haven’t thought much about since it comes naturally to me.


Didn't you fail algebra lmao?
Feb 7 2024 3:49PM
6 0
profile picture
WoFlowz
Posts: 7985 - Karma: 64,140
HypeBeastDidn't you fail algebra lmao?


passed with a 72 only failed two c
quarters
Feb 7 2024 3:56PM
0 1
profile picture
blazer258
Posts: 1102 - Karma: 655
Biased toward UVM, I did Sugarbush first two years, then Jay Peak, then Stowe. Plus you have Mad River Glen, Bolton, or Smuggs close by. Stowe and Bush are 45 mins to an hour, Jay was more like hour 20. I didn't do the freeski team but there is one, the ski club tries to do events regularly. My first year Henrik and Phil came on their movie tour for Road to Zion and Keynote Speaker, it was great, got to meet them, signed poster etc... On the Middlebury topic from above, I only knew one person who went there, I visited the campus once and would agree I didn't see much around it as far as the town goes but it's a much smaller school
Feb 7 2024 3:59PM
1 0
profile picture
arnie_grape
Posts: 3455 - Karma: 11,737
probably CLOWN COLLEGE! 🤡
Feb 7 2024 4:07PM
0 0
profile picture
keagan.karstens
Posts: 1606 - Karma: 34,938
As someone who goes to Utah. Go to Utah, we're so spoiled here you'll love it.
Feb 7 2024 4:14PM
1 0
profile picture
steez_apprentice
Posts: 896 - Karma: 6,267
I applied to CU Denver instead of Boulder since I didn't really want to be in such a big school, does anyone here have any experience there? Denver itself is a pretty sketchy city but I've only been there once
Feb 7 2024 4:17PM
0 3
profile picture
PussyFinder
Posts: 277 - Karma: 802
profa_212There's people that aren't into that?


Enjoy that mid pussy pimp
Feb 7 2024 4:19PM
3 2
profile picture
Plymouthfreeskii
Posts: 98 - Karma: 1,207
isaacwrongEast Coast Schools with freeski reps

Umaine Farmington- Loaf/SR 45min-1hr
Castleton University- Killington 40min
UVM/Champlain/Saint Mikes- Bush 1hr
Plymouth State- Loon/Waterville 30min
UMASS- 1hrish to mt snow

I'd suggest looking at schools first based on interests with their academic program offerings though. Unless you don't care and just are going to attend a massive d1 school with everything


we are a little bias but, with 3 mountains within 30 min & so many more within an hour, we have it pretty good. Also have a great crew and culture here. Plus campus rail jam
Feb 7 2024 7:57PM
2 0
profile picture
Slugger66
Posts: 128 - Karma: 836
WoFlowzEsp since like 90-96 percent of kids that attended nescacs are prep school kids.

I assume you're using hyperbole, but this number isn't even close to accurate lol.

The bottom line is that the NESCACs/SLU/Colgate are completely different vibes than the larger state ski schools. There's almost no use in comparing them. I'd encourage the OP to talk with his parents, understand funding limitations (if any), and do some real soul searching. Research schools, talk with students, and try to stay overnight with a current student if you have existing connections there. Some people resonate with smaller liberal arts colleges and others want a massive state school.

I will encourage liberal arts colleges for the right kid. The connections, academics, and overall experience are truly unique. You just have to make sure it's what you want.
Feb 7 2024 9:43PM
2 0
profile picture
steezytangerine
Posts: 396 - Karma: 2,529
isaacwrongThis is tru..I'm just sayin the majority of NS is most likely not making moves to nescacs/ivys. Sure I know of people that have but the rigorous academics don't really provide for a great school/play balance unless you're a fuckin genius and can just roll out of bed and ace exams. As someone who transferred from SLU to Farmington after a year I can attest to it somewhat. For example, no way was I going to be able to ski 4-5 times per week at SLU. Farmington/the other schools are for the tru ski bums lol


never underestimate @WoFlowz

you never know what that man is up to
Feb 7 2024 9:47PM
1 0
profile picture
switchlip2
Posts: 2142 - Karma: 25,119
weastcoatBishop sycamore

This made me laugh out loud
Feb 7 2024 11:37PM
2 0
profile picture
SchizoSkier
Posts: 2780 - Karma: 30,083
WoFlowzI think you bring up a good point, OP I would not consider SLU, Dartmouth or Nescacs unless you have a really good academic standing, work ethic and time management. Definitely something I haven’t thought much about since it comes naturally to me.


you are so pretentious lmfao
Feb 7 2024 11:49PM
10 0
profile picture
Way*Mo
Posts: 682 - Karma: 2,329
Bernie585only advice is don’t go to Vermont unless you’re into aggressive liberal chicks that dress like a skateshop

Dude this part sounds awesome!
Feb 8 2024 9:58AM
4 2
All times are Eastern (-5)