Hi everyone! I'm Tess, and I live 30 minutes outside of London. I love everything Dartmouth, including the sunsets, the traditions, the classes, and the merch. I'm super excited to experience everything I read about in this blog over the next four years. Come along with me as I explore the ins and outs of life in the woods.
A course that definitely surprised me, I did not know what to expect and had very little philosophical knowledge before taking this course. It was a mixture of current and past readings, with the final project to make a group video, testing my technological ability. Professor Bumpus was amazing, and I got to know her more when I took her to breakfast at Pine through the Take Your Professor to Lunch Program.
I was recommended to take a history course, specifically a history course with Professor Lu, and it has not disappointed! This course is cross listed with Asian Studies, my major, but it has made me consider a history minor... We start every class off with a song relating to the topic of that class, and then we move on to discussion based activities.
We've been through basketball, football and squash, and so finally, let's head over to skiing! From previous blog posts, you can see how big of a culture of skiing there is here at Dartmouth. And we love our ski team—coming #3 in the country this year!
Noemie is an alpine ski racer from Montreal, Quebec, and she went to high school in the US. I met her at International Student Pre-Orientation (first day at Dartmouth!). She is looking to major in Economics.
So, let's get onto some questions.
1. How did you get into skiing, and what led you to compete at the collegiate level?
My parents put me on skis and into ski lessons at two years old. At first, there were many tears, but once I joined a ski club and started competing, skiing became my passion. Academics and skiing have always been fundamental parts of my life, which led me to compete at the collegiate level.
2. What made Dartmouth the right place to continue your ski career?
Dartmouth was the perfect place for me because it combines a very high level of skiing (third in the country this year!) with an elite level in academics. I found that the supportive environment created by the team and coaching staff was amazing, making it the perfect place to develop myself as a skier and a person.
Big finish for the Big Green!
3. Dartmouth won every carnival this season—what do you think made this year so special?
To win every carnival, the team has to be good on all four fronts (men and women, alpine and nordic). This year was phenomenal because we had incredible skiers on every team that kept pushing each other, carrying momentum into the next races. We are also a very tight-knit team that really cares about each other, and everyone will give everything they have to get the best results for the team.
4. What was the most memorable race or moment from the season?
The NCAA ski championships at Dartmouth overall was incredible—specifically, the second day of alpine skiing on Friday. The student body really showed up, cheering loudly for the Dartmouth skiers competing. It was a very wholesome moment as it showed how much the school cares about the ski team, and it meant so much that so many people came and supported the team.
5. What is the team dynamic like, and how did you push each other to be better?
The team dynamic is great. Everyone on the team wants the best for each other. As a first-year, when I first arrived, all the upperclassmen made sure that I felt welcomed in this new environment. Now, the whole team are some of my best friends. We push each other by working as hard as possible in everything we do, whether it be at lift, training, or races. Having good leadership that shows that hard work is the key to success is crucial for a good team dynamic.
6. How does Dartmouth's ski training compare to what you've experienced elsewhere?
Training is pretty similar, but I would say we do a lot more quality over quantity than what I'm used to. With school, we have a lot less time on snow, so we have to learn to maximize the days we have on the mountain.
7. What is it like balancing academics with the demands of the ski season?
I won't lie, it's tough. Every day I ski, find time to tune my skis, go to class, and on top of that complete the work. I have learnt to be very efficient with organizing my time. It's a ten week grind, but everyone on the ski team is doing it together, so we support each other and push ourselves to excel both in school and on the hill.
8. How does being on the ski team shape your overall experience at Dartmouth?
Being a part of the Dartmouth Ski Team is something extra special. Having a place where you belong and feel included is the best feeling, especially as a first-year, where everything is so new. Having upperclassmen that are there to show me the ropes and guide me through the first year is so helpful. Being a part of the team is something that I will cherish forever.
9. What are your goals for next season, both personally and as a team?
Win the NCAA Championships, of course! Personally, I want to learn to enjoy the racing process more and not let stress affect my skiing.
The NCAA nordic race
10. What's one thing about being a college ski racer that might surprise people?
Skiing for a team is a lot more enjoyable because you have more than just individual goals and purpose. You want to ski fast for yourself, but also for your team.
Race Day
I attended the two ski races held at Dartmouth this season: the Dartmouth Carnival as well as the NCAA Championships. Both had an incredible atmosphere, and left me in awe of the ski racers (I struggled to make it down the mountain without falling). I am already looking forward to next season!
The Dartmouth Green is more than our school color. These words describe Dartmouth's commitment to sustainability. If sustainability is important to you, read through this post to discover a non-exhaustive list of sustainable initiatives on campus.
It's hard to fully express just how meaningful Cabin and Trail (CnT) is to me. Since coming to Dartmouth a year and a half ago, this community has shaped me in ways I never expected. It is a source of hope and a new home.
When I first came to Dartmouth, the last thing I wanted to experience was the infamous, chilling New England winter—but I've discovered that Dartmouth's climate was a blessing in disguise, and even perhaps my favorite thing about campus.
