College List: 5 Campuses with Access to Great Skiing

Does your student love to hit the slopes? Some students choose to base their college search partially on their new home’s proximity to activities and environments that they enjoy, such as skiing and snowboarding. Looking to plan a combination ski trip/college tour this winter? Check out these 5 universities with great access to skiing. 

Colby College: Located in Maine, Colby provides plenty of opportunities for skiing and outdoor recreation. The Outing Club is the largest club on campus with 300+ members and organizes trips, skills clinics, and gear rentals. Colby students who love to ski might explore the Perkins Arboretum, nearby Quarry Road, or trips to Sugarloaf Mountain.

Montana State University: Montana’s terrain creates many options for skiing and snowboarding. Students looking to hit the slopes can choose from many related student organizations, including the Ski Mountaineering Club, Nordic Ski Club, and Freeriders at MSU. Montana State also offers many academic resources that might interest ski enthusiasts: an academic concentration in Snow Science, courses in Avalanche Training and Snow Dynamics, and the Subzero research lab. 

Reed College: The Portland, Oregon location of Reed puts it within driving distance of many ski resorts. Reed’s Outing Programs & Education department offers avalanche training, wilderness first response courses, and gear rentals. Students can even take a skiing course to fulfill the physical education requirement. The college also owns and operates the Reed Ski Cabin on Mount Hood, which prioritizes students and student organizations for reservations. 

University of Colorado-Boulder: CU-Boulder is nestled into the Flatirons rock formations, boasting scenic views and opportunities for skiing and other outdoor activities. The Boulder Freeride ski and snowboard club claims to be the largest college ski club in the country, providing plenty of ways to connect with other skiers. Boulder’s Outdoor Pursuits program offers equipment rentals, courses in topics like avalanche safety, and ski bus shuttles. 

University of Vermont: UVM’s location in Burlington, Vermont, near the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain, fosters a variety of ways for students to interact with nature, including multiple ski resorts near campus. Beyond the century-old Outing Club, UVM offers more than 20 organizations relating to the outdoors, with clubs for Nordic skiing, Alpine ski racing, freeskiing, and female skiers. For those interested in the academic implications of the sport, the 

campus is home to a Ski Safety Lab testing and creating innovative ski gear. 

Need more help guiding your skier through their college search process? Learn more about Galin’s college counselling services here.