Hello! My name is Mario and I'm a Dartmouth '28. I plan on majoring in Government with a concentration in International Relations (Focusing on Foreign Policy or International Security). During my free time I love spending time down at the Connecticut River or at the Dartmouth Skiway!
Winter Term or Ski Term? Exploring the Dartmouth Skiway
Hello!
In this blog, I want to introduce you to one of Dartmouth's most beloved winter traditions: learning to ski or snowboard at the Dartmouth Skiway!
I am from Arkansas, where knowing how to ski or snowboard is not very common. Learning a new sport requires an ability to commit to it and practice regularly which entails affordability and accessibility. This makes it incredibly difficult to learn a snowsport while living in the south since there are no ski resorts or mountains easily accessible to practice, at a reasonable cost. However, Dartmouth made it possible for me to learn to ski this Winter because Dartmouth makes it incredibly affordable and accessible!
Dartmouth owns a Skiway about twenty minutes away from campus. Since Dartmouth manages its Skiway, it makes it incredibly affordable for Dartmouth students to buy season passes—passes that allow unlimited access for the entire season—this year passes cost fifty dollars for first-year students and one hundred dollars for upper-level students!
Another benefit of the Dartmouth Skiway is that starting this year, Dartmouth provides free skiing/snowboarding lessons and gear; students can sign up for free rentals (skis/snowboards and helmets) for the entirety of the winter quarter. On top of that, Dartmouth provides free transportation to the Skiway during the week and weekends through the Skiway Shuttle!
Free gear available for the entire season!
Even though Dartmouth offers free rentals to all students learning a snowsport, I decided not to make use of it this year. Instead, I elected to buy my own ski equipment as a form of committing myself to learning the sport—something that kept me from quitting after falling the first few times!
The ease, affordability, and accessibility to learning to ski or snowboard at Dartmouth is what makes it one of its most beloved winter traditions. Going to the Skiway is one of the best ways to take a break from classes, homework, and extracurriculars—all while remaining active. Skiing early in the morning with friends, especially after fresh snow, is an experience every Dartmouth student should experience at least once!
Me and my friend Juan (I'm the one in the background)!
Even though the Dartmouth Skiway might not be as vast as other ski resorts, it embodies the values of community and friendship at Dartmouth. Every weekend I skied, I was guaranteed to see at least one familiar face while riding the Skiway Shuttle or while putting on my ski gear at McLane Family Lodge!
Dartmouth is also the perfect location for more experienced skiers since it has advanced runs and is incredibly close to several other ski resorts in the area—such as Killington and Jay's Peak!
Thus, the Dartmouth Skiway is a perfect place to launch your skiing/snowboarding career because Dartmouth makes it incredibly affordable, accessible, and enjoyable. Suppose you can imagine yourself going skiing right before your afternoon classes or going for a few runs down the Skiway's slopes after lunch. In that case, you're envisioning a possible winter schedule at Dartmouth!
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