While some may use the cold weather and snow-covered grounds as an excuse to stay indoors, others find themselves taking full advantage of the season by venturing to the numerous mountains in the area.
According to sophomore and member of the Ski & Snowboard Club Madison Rice, snow sports have been a part of her life ever since she was a young girl.
Kyle Bailey / Photo Editor
“I am a snowboarder but I have also been skiing since I was four. I started skiing because my parents were super into snow sports, so I was always at the mountains growing up,” Rice said. Rice continued, “I decided to switch to snowboarding because I skate and surf as well, and figured snowboarding was an easy progression to make.”
During the semester, Rice said that she tries to make her schedule specifically work with her snowboarding so that she can get some time on the snow.
“When I am not in class I usually go to Stratton, Killington, Mount Snow, Gore [NY], or Jay Peak. Last semester I was probably able to be on snow about four days a week or more,” Rice said.Rice added that she goes to the mountains around the Keene area every year. This year she said that she would be working as an instructor at Granite Gorge. During the weekdays Rice said that she usually goes to the mountains on her own, but on the weekends she goes with a group of friends one-day and the KSC Ski & Snowboard Club on another day.
“The Ski and Snowboard Club mainly travels to Stratton and Mount Snow. They are very popular for students in the club that do not have cars,” Rice said.
In terms of the mountains offering passes and discounts for students, Rice said that almost all of the ones in the area offer deals and discounts for college students.
“A lot of mountains often join up and offer joint passes for college students,” Rice said.
Senior and President of the Social Activities Council, Ryan Mahan, also shares an interest in snow sports.
“I have been snowboarding for seven years. I started when I was fourteen after I went on a ski and snowboard trip with my Boy Scout Troop. My friends snowboarded and inspired me to learn,” Mahan said. Mahan said that among students who also ski and snowboard, Sunapee, Snow, Straton and Okemo are the most popular.
“I try to get out to the mountains one to two times a month, or as often as possible,” Mahan said. “I usually go with a few friends and get a small group to go out together.”
Mahan added that he has also been able to take advantage of deals that the mountains offer.
“I have been able to take advantage of a few deals with my student ID at all of the locations that I go to. Mostly on day-long passes,” Mahan said.
Senior Jacob Pastor also weighed in on his participation in winter sports. According to Pastor, he has been skiing since he was younger.
“I have been skiing since I was either three or four-years-old. I really don’t know how I got into skiing, but my mom signed me up for a lesson and I guess it just started from there. I have not missed a season yet,” Pastor said. Pastor said that he frequently visits the mountains during the semester and even more during winter break.
“I go to the mountains at least three times a week when school is in session and when there is good snow, so mostly second semester. During winter break I will usually go four to five times a week,” Pastor said. Pastor said that when he wants to go skiing he would usually go to Mount Sunappe, Mount Snow, Stratton, Okemo and sometimes Killington.
“I have been going to Mount Sunapee for years. I started skiing there in the seventh grade and joined their freestyle program. It’s like family there. I know everyone and everyone knows me. It is kind of cool and actually feels like home,” Pastor said. As far as pass deals for college students, Pastor said that there is a plethora of deals to choose from.
“The two passes that basically all students at Keene get are either the double down pass or the 4.0 pass. The double down services Stratton and Mount snow, then the 4.0 pass services Okemo, Sunapee, Pico Mountain and Killington,” Pastor said.
Pastor added that since he helps run the Ski and Snowboard club, they usually advise students to get the double down pass. “We advise students to get the double down pass because Stratton has reached out to us and they have given us a discount that we can give to our members and along with anyone who wants one. The discount lowers the price of the season pass,” Pastor said.
Although others may have their own opinions on which mountains are the best, Pastor said that among KSC students, Mount Snow, Killington and Okemo seem to be the most popular.
Brogan Wessell can be contacted at bwessell@keene-equinox.com
