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Best college for skiing

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Japaneezy
Posts: 1039 - Karma: 4,267
Sup NS-
As a senior next year, my highschool demands me to hand in a list of 6-8 colleges to apply for next fall term. I compiled a list of some colleges that might be the best for any passionate skier and wanted to ask you guys for some serious opinion. I'm planning on applying to colleges where I can study some business/entrepreneur/marketing while being able to ski quite a lot, with easy access to the slopes, etc.
I'll appreciate any kind of advice.

cheers

University of Utah

University of Vermont

Montana State University

University of Colorado/ Boulder

University of Denver

Westminster College, Salt Lake City

University of New Hampshire

Western State College


＋K to any advice/opinion

Jul 30 2013 3:59AM
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s6p
Posts: 67 - Karma: 54
University of British Columbia is the place to be. The schools good (especially the business school) the skiing is insane, and the people are all super mellow.

There's a pretty sweet crew as well, UBC Freeride, check out their site ubcfreeride.com and hit them up. They'll get you in the loop on how to schedule classes for the most shred and hook you up with people to ride/film with.
Jul 30 2013 4:29AM
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PeterWojnar
Posts: 3937 - Karma: 678
read: ski 5 days a week while doing well in school, for all 4 years.
Jul 30 2013 4:37AM
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bighomieflock
Posts: 2040 - Karma: 2,445
You've got all of the main ones. You could add Williams, Amherst, Dartmouth for reach schools if you have strong test scores and grades. You might have to major in economics or some other liberal arts degree, but they all offer good job recruiting because of the quality of education/ prestige.
Jul 30 2013 6:01AM
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SHINEFEST*2012
Posts: 12 - Karma: 380
utah
Jul 30 2013 6:07AM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7408 - Karma: 11,039
If you want to consider smaller schools (not sure if they all have business schools)
Dartmouth
Castleton (safety?)
Colby
Bates
St. Mikes
Uni. of Puget Sound (2 hour drive, not terrible)
Jul 30 2013 7:56AM
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Japaneezy
Posts: 1039 - Karma: 4,267
thanks for the response guys, which college would be the best in terms of education?
Jul 30 2013 7:58AM
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ndye
Posts: 3756 - Karma: 7,094
study outdoor recreation business administration at Umaine Farmington! 40 minutes to sugarloaf, 45 to the river, and 50 to saddleback, not to mention lil titcomb 2 minutes from campus
Jul 30 2013 9:07AM
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blazer258
Posts: 1098 - Karma: 643
St. Michaels and Bates
Jul 30 2013 9:38AM
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The_Polock
Posts: 345 - Karma: 1,280
I am obviously biased here but go UTES.  University of Utah is a beautiful campus surrounded by awesome ski area's(8 to choose from).  You will find a lot of other skiers there with the same passion as you and its a chill atmosphere.  The only downside is all the momos that you have to share the school with...
Jul 30 2013 9:40AM
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
Montana State is pretty low down in terms of Education. I would knock that one off if you're looking for a credible degree.

You've got some really good choices there. Did you also consider University of Nevada? That's my alma mater and it's a great school. Really gorgeous campus, living expenses aren't bad at all. Northstar, Squaw, Alpine Meadows, Boreal (if you're desperate), and a bunch of other Tahoe resorts are all less than an hour drive from campus.

Jul 30 2013 10:04AM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7408 - Karma: 11,039
For business?

Dartmouth hands down. The Tuck School of Business is one of the top rated business schools in the country.

For the others, it comes down to whether or not you want a university with research professors or colleges with professors who are there to teach. I personally am not a business major (Econ Major so pretty close) so I cannot give any insight to whether or not Business professors conduct research on the same level as others would (Bio, Chem, Physics, etc.). But look at the school websites, look at professors and publications, go on rate my professor, just do a bit of research.

If you dont mind getting a liberal arts education (IMO Business BAs are pretty worthless in todays world) then going to a graduate school for business, look into Colby and Bates. Both are great schools, within distance of Sunday River or Sugarloaf, and have great graduate school placements.
Jul 30 2013 10:07AM
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Brule.
Posts: 3917 - Karma: 6,202
Champlain College
Plymouth State
University of Vermont (UVM)
Lyndon State College
Saint Michael's College
Johnson State College

All these places, that I know of, have ski clubs with freeski clubs, especially UVM. Saint Mike's is right near Stowe, so you can get a good feel of some backcountry and park all in one day. Champlain College just recently made a freeski club through the original ski and ride club, with trips to various mountains in New England.

Jul 30 2013 10:21AM
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Brule.
Posts: 3917 - Karma: 6,202
Also, all of these colleges also have programs in what you are looking to major in.
Jul 30 2013 10:27AM
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Spagett+
Posts: 3499 - Karma: 14,884
Also Middlebury in the liberal arts category.
Jul 30 2013 11:16AM
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Skibumsmith
Posts: 5432 - Karma: 11,813
UNH for sure. stay east.
Jul 30 2013 11:57AM
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matoco
Posts: 35 - Karma: 69
I go to CU Boulder. It is sick in terms of the city, partying, and a pretty good school. The Leeds school of business is good as well but i'm in engineering so I don't know as much. If you want quick access to skiing, you may want to look elsewhere. If you have a car and schedule your classes well, you can easily do midweek days at Boulder and can get to most mountains within an hour and a half assuming the roads are not too snowy. On weekends, expect a lot of traffic, crowded mountains, and hungover ski partners. I love Boulder, the city is awesome, and its a really really fun school. But if you want to ski as much as you can, consider other options.

For east coast schools, you will be relatively close to skiing if you go anywhere in upstate VT, NH, or ME. You can ski a ton at any of these schools, and there are a bunch of really good schools education-wise around the area as many have mentioned above. Drawback is that the skiing is not as good as out west, and a lot of the schools in upstate New England with the exception of UVM are in pretty rural areas with not too much around you besides a small campus. That doesn't mean you cant have fun at these schools though.

If your coming out west, there are also a bunch of options ranging from schools in pretty much all states west of Colorado/Wyoming/Montana. Some notorious ski bum schools are University of Utah which provides really easy access to some great mountains, Western (Wasted) State in Gunnison, CO which is right outside of Crested Butte which is a great area. There are countless other options that are out there all across the mountain west, but I dont know too much about them.

Just consider what you really want in terms of skiing (access/proximity as well as east/west), education, and lifestyle (party school, city school, rural school, etc). You have a bunch of time, it will fall into place.
Jul 30 2013 11:59AM
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Ducky.
Posts: 5811 - Karma: 1,420
Western Washington University!
Jul 30 2013 12:08PM
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mattytru
Posts: 2787 - Karma: 5,595
I know a couple kids on the UVM team that are doing business as well. Definitely give UVM a good hard look, there are something like 30+ kids on the team and the vibe always looked real fun. UVMFST puts on events at various mountains around northern Vermont too. A lot of the team skis at Stowe, which probably has the best terrain/park combination that you'll find around here. I think some other kids rode Sugarbush but that's chill too.
Jul 30 2013 12:23PM
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RIP_leos_shack
Posts: 710 - Karma: 3,200
That's a good list there, but I'd definitely add UBC, Western Washington, and University of Nevada at Reno.
Jul 30 2013 1:21PM
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VerticalDrop
Posts: 324 - Karma: 4,479
if you do a little searching there's quite a few threads on this topic...
Jul 30 2013 1:24PM
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Hodor
Posts: 503 - Karma: 2,578
If you want to go to small school with very good academics and great access to skiing its hard to beat Bates in Lewiston Maine.

First of all, all Bates students ski at Lost Valley Ski area for FREE. The Bates outing club pays for all tickets sold to Bates students. You just show them your bates ID and they give you a ticket. Its about 8 minutes from campus and is really small but has some great parks that go from top to bottom that you can lap each day after class for FREE.

We also have access to the New England College pass at Boyne resorts. Its $350 dollars for unlimited skiing at Sunday River, Sugarloaf, and Loon. Sunday River is an hour away and sugarloaf is just under two hours. Loon is a bit over two hours.

Not to mention, we have access to some of the most famous and best big mountain/ backcountry skiing on the east coast. You can see Mt. Washington and the rest of White Mountains from a hill on bates campus and Katahdin is not far.

Also if you are interested in Urban, Bates is located in Lewiston Auburn, home of Shea Flynn. I think stept filmed there this year and meatheads has a segment. Also I am pretty sure Liam Downey went to Bates which is cool.

One thing about Bates is that is super expensive. 58k per year so unless your folks can afford it, you better start racking in dough pretty quickly after college to pay off those student loans.


Jul 30 2013 3:09PM
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-WZ-
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 6,582
UBC ftw
Jul 30 2013 3:17PM
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NEIL-YOUNG
Posts: 317 - Karma: 423
BYU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! go cougs !!!!!!!!!       go joe smith!!!!!!!!!!
Jul 30 2013 3:27PM
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Hatsnballs
Posts: 836 - Karma: 2,159
I'm going to Utah for park city, briton, snow bird, and alta

west coast is the best coast
Jul 30 2013 3:39PM
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bighomieflock
Posts: 2040 - Karma: 2,445
Tuck is the graduate school only. I believe they offer a couple undergrad business classes, but your degree at Dartmouth would be liberal arts.

Regardless, Dartmouth would most likely give you the best business job prospects, because of recruiting and prestige. Getting in is the problem though.
Jul 30 2013 4:34PM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7408 - Karma: 11,039
whoops. My bad for the false info. Still, if you can get into either Midd or Dartmouth, screw the business education and go for liberal arts. You will come out with great recs.
Jul 30 2013 5:52PM
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J_Christoph
Posts: 2519 - Karma: 8,752
Utah for sure. And maybe, if you supply enough sexual favors, ole 4bi9 will let you tag along to some spots in slc
Jul 30 2013 6:01PM
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IDMT_BC024
Posts: 224 - Karma: 129
For business yes, but MSU is comparable or better than UNR (and you don't have to live in Reno!) in other areas especially research sciences. A degree from MSU is just as credible as one from UNR. (Neither are great schools in terms of academics).
I just did some research and MSU is ranked slightly higher than UNR by US News and slightly lower by ARWU.
Jul 30 2013 6:54PM
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
That may have changed since I was looking at schools. I know that when I was applying(2004, holy shit that was a long time ago), MSU was pretty low down on the ranks. If they brought it up that's awesome, cause I was supremely disappointed that it wasn't a recommended choice.

And hey....living in Reno isn't that bad! Especially as a college kid, there's a great nightlife available since downtown is walking distance from campus. And tons of housing around campus.
Jul 30 2013 7:02PM
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methscratchface
Posts: 1203 - Karma: 4,445
UU tuesday/thursday schedule. Decent education, shitty party school, shitty beer, guaranteed 5 days a week of shred time. Beware of mentally unstable mormon chicks.
Jul 31 2013 12:18AM
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jacksonbathgate
Posts: 31 - Karma: 13
UBC or the University of Alaska Fairbanks. terrain park on campus and you get to ski in alaska, sounds pretty good to me
Jul 31 2013 1:41AM
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zrote
Posts: 263 - Karma: 52
Gonzaga in Spokane Washington has Schweitzer 45-60 minutes away and Mt Spokane even closer. Head East and you have Montana, head West Crystal, Stevens, Head North you have 49 degrees North and a bit further Revelstoke.

GU has an excellent School of Business as well.

Somebody stated Western Washington - that is epic as well - Mt Baker will change your life.
Jul 31 2013 1:50AM
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HentaiHero
Posts: 298 - Karma: 1,099
Im thinking somewhere in utah just because the resorts are so close to slc, but you can really never go wrong with cu boulder
Jul 31 2013 3:45AM
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Bjudes
Posts: 174 - Karma: 331
University of Denver is one of the best business schools in the nation. It is an amazing program and highly regarded. It is a bit farther of a drive to go skiing then done of the other schools but it is a great college
Jul 31 2013 8:21AM
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jshetz10
Posts: 4 - Karma: 15
What about Oregon University or Oregon State? How close are those to hood and other good Pacific Northwest mountains. Would going to school in Oregon be a legit way to still ski a lot on good terrain?
Jul 31 2013 9:29AM
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FreeskiThe603
Posts: 861 - Karma: 1,409
UNH actually is not a great school for skiing. I believe Gunstock is the closest mountain, and that is an hour away. However after reading this article (link below) it seems to have a very nice ski and board club.

Jul 31 2013 9:48AM
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coldcuts69
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 1,887
truth right here
Jul 31 2013 9:53AM
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josefe
Posts: 49 - Karma: 10
No. Both are a pain in the ass for skiing. OSU has a remote campus in Bend which would be sick but Cornvegas and Eugene are not really close to resort skiing like most people are talking about in this thread.
Jul 31 2013 11:23AM
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Bozite
Posts: 981 - Karma: 561
U of U and Westminster are bout 30-40 min from lcc and bcc and MSU is bout 30 min from Bridger and an hour from big sky and moonlight. But in the end remember, Salt lake has 1 million in the city area and 2 million in the valley while Bozeman has like 60K in the valley
Jul 31 2013 11:30AM
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2_fadez
Posts: 7780 - Karma: 4,183
58 grand a year for a liberal arts degree in a post-industrial town offering no local major employment: awesome
Jul 31 2013 11:59AM
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UPSman
Posts: 109 - Karma: 27
I did the same hunt back in 2004.  Ended up @ CU Boulder for Leeds School of Business for Marketing and Finance degrees.  Easily skied 3-4 times a week.  Certainly have to concentrate as the campus can get pretty distracting.  I made it out in 4 years, but a lot of kids stick around for the 5 or 6 year plan who can afford it.  Regardless, had some really great and influential teachers.  Lot's of CEOs kids go or went there who tend to visit the campus and speak to the business school on a regular basis.   I'd for sure go west to get the better snow if you are from the east coast.  You can always come back.  A lot of friends did Utah and Denver which I looked at, but not as fun of schools in my opinion.  Enjoy and good luck! 
Jul 31 2013 12:12PM
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Anchorfilms
Posts: 879 - Karma: 1,888
WARNING: Don't go to University of New Hampshire for skiing purposes alone!
Jul 31 2013 2:44PM
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dirtyshithawks
Posts: 64 - Karma: -28
BYU
Jul 31 2013 2:47PM
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the_armidilo
Posts: 189 - Karma: 1,488
i dont know about the other places but i know for a fact that montana state has a good business program. I know this because my dad works in business (banking) and is very sucessfull.
Jul 31 2013 4:55PM
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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,842
I go to Colby College and I can't say enough good things about it. It offers a solid liberal arts education, we have a small rail garden on campus, and the entire student body loves to ski. It's very close to Sugarloaf and the New England Pass can't be beat.
Click for larger image
Jul 31 2013 6:41PM
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Rekkil
Posts: 169 - Karma: 146
utah or boulder for sure
Jul 31 2013 6:45PM
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prbrownie
Posts: 9 - Karma: 61

If you're interest is in the backcountry the University of Alaska is a strong option. I'm in my senior year of the Mechanical Engineering program in Fairbanks, which has better academics than UAA but is much further from the mountains than Anchorage. Anchorage campus isn't anything special, but 45 minutes to Alyeska, and an hour to Turnagain Arm and some of the biggest/baddest peaks in the world. You'll want a sled for sure. The engineering programs have 95%+ placement rates into 70k+ salaries. Since you're going for business, lets face it, you're not getting paid much off the bat regardless of where you go to school unless it's got a super strong reputation. Go for the skiing.

AK is not for the light of heart, but if you want to go as big as possible this is the place. UBC would be super sick if you can get in. I had problems with admissions coming from the U.S. when I tried. I am in love with that area, BC is probably the most consistent place to shralp varies terrain with stacked snow in the world. If you're an in-bounds or sidecountry rider, look at Bozeman, MO or Western in Bellingham, WA. Baker is ill. Just my $0.02, all of the above suggestions are probably really good.

Jul 31 2013 7:08PM
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jshetz10
Posts: 4 - Karma: 15
What about Oregon University or Oregon State? How close are those to Hood or Baker or any other good Pacific Northwest mountains. Would going to school in Oregon be a legit way to still ski a lot on good terrain?
Jul 31 2013 11:49PM
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1kewldewd
Posts: 796 - Karma: 1,147
UAF has a terrain park on campus
Aug 1 2013 1:18AM
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HarryPotter
Posts: 359 - Karma: 52
I'd say the West Coast has quality schools and quality skiing-- although it'll be a little more of a drive.

In Socal, USC is very good, as are the liberal arts schools in Claremont. They're all close to Big Bear and Mammoth. Bay area schools like Stanford and Cal are a few hours from Tahoe/Squaw, and are pretty strong for business. Skiing on the west coast is always closer than you'd think, what I did when I was applying was to look up schools I was interested in on google maps, then search a ski resort I'd heard of in the area and look at the estimated drive time. Most schools will also have a ski club, check out their page for where people ski. I was always surprised by most places' proximity to quality resorts. Even places in Boston are under 3 hrs from Killington, and there are plenty of schools there!

The one thing I wills say about all the California schools I just mentioned is that there is for sure not as much of a ski culture as the other schools you just listed. I went to high school in Boulder and took some classes at CU Boulder, and there's a huge sense of ski culture there. A lot of people are super into freeskiing and you see a lot of jiberish etc. if you know what I'm getting at. You can always find fellow skiers & somewhere to ride basically anywhere though! Just don't go south.
Aug 1 2013 1:56AM
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