By Leanne Costantino
Campus News
If you live in the Northeast, you are familiar with the quick transition from warm, sunny days to blustery, cold and snowy days. For most people, the absence of the warmth is a time to switch to indoor hobbies and stay warm for the winter. For skiers and snowboarders, the opposite is true!
The winter ski and snowboard season is underway. Ski resorts across the region are in full preparation for the snow to start flying. Some resorts, like Killington, have already opened for the season.
Skiing and snowboarding are the perfect sports to bring into, and even start in, adulthood. They are completely individualized and can be enjoyed at any level and on any slope. Many college students are used to being on sports teams, but when college ends they quickly find themselves missing their athletic careers. Since it becomes increasingly harder to play team sports as an adult, individual sports allow recent college graduates to continue staying active and having fun all year long.
Most ski areas offer lessons for beginners that are a great way to get introduced to the mountain without your best friend who’s been skiing for 20 years bringing you up to the summit and just telling you to “take your time and figure it out.” Many skiers and riders never return to the sport after a terrifying and dangerous first experience like that. Instructors at ski schools will take beginners on nearly flat terrain to teach them the basics of how to move and, more importantly, stop. An instructor is certified to teach beginners and will have many small and useful tactics for new skiers and riders to implement into their form.
Along with lessons, mountains usually offer packages that include rentals so that beginners can try the sport without investing in all of the equipment.
For students in the Northeast, there is a never-ending supply of winter fun. From Maine to New York, the ski resorts come in all sizes. Some big, some small, some that offer night skiing and after-school programs to ones that host alpine world cups. The best mountains for beginners to get the most for their money and to have the most exposure to beginner terrain are at smaller local mountains.
West Mountain Ski Area in Queensbury, N.Y., is finishing up some renovations to make the upcoming ski season one for the books. The old Face chairlift is being replaced with a new quad lift that will get more skiers and riders up to the top of the Face trail. West Mountain will also have complete east to west snow making on all trails, which means there will be more terrain open for a longer duration during the season. All major trails will also be available during night skiing hours this year. Night skiing is a great option for college students, because you can get some hours in on the snow after a long day in class.
For college students who are continuing their education and already have families of their own, mountains like West Mountain offer after-school programs for younger students to get on the bus with their classmates and come to the mountain to learn to ski. These programs are affordable and are a great way to keep young athletes active in the winter months. Since 1961, West Mountain has hosted over 35,000 students in its afterschool programs.
The biggest perk of being a college student is that most ski areas sell college season passes that are heavily discounted from the adult season passes. A lot of mountains will also offer discounted food, rentals, and lift tickets for friends to season pass holders.
College students can also enjoy tubing at most ski resorts in the northeast. Tubing is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a day out with friends, throw a birthday party, or host a casual event.
Still not interested in getting out in the snow? West Mountain Ski Area, as well as many other ski areas, have plenty of fun things to do in the summer as well! West Mountain is currently building a zip-line and tree-top adventure course that will be ready in the summer of 2019 that will cover a lot of ground on the mountain. Adventurers can look forward to enjoying the course for hours in the warm weather.
Most mountains also have downhill mountain biking terrain. Riders can enjoy the thrill of riding downhill without the exhausting task of getting the bike up to the top! Lifts are fitted with attachments that allow mountain bikes to sit on one of the chair lifts, while the rider sits on another. Lift attendants help the riders remove their bikes at the top of the trail.
All year ‘round, outdoor sport enthusiasts can enjoy a wide array of activities at ski areas, while learning new things and challenging themselves. Get out there and enjoy the ride!
Facebook Comments