![A photo of three members of the men's hockey team](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/wysiwyg_full_width/public/admissions/wysiwyg/text_400x400_menshockey.jpg?itok=xRdQMNLo)
From the laid-back sports fan to the aspiring Olympic athlete, Dartmouth offers plenty of opportunities for sportspeople of any interest level and ability. With state-of-the-art facilities and the stunning outdoor venues of the Upper Valley, there's never a lack of new activities to explore. It's no wonder that 75% of the student body is involved in sports. With everything from fly-casting practice on the Green to downhill racing at the Skiway, here's the breakdown:
Varsity Sports
With 35 Division I varsity teams, the Dartmouth Big Green are known worldwide as a member of the prestigious Ivy League, where our athletes compete against a collection of the nation's oldest schools. The most demanding tier of Dartmouth athletics, our alumni include an immense number of Olympic athletes and numerous professional players across a range of sports. With free admission for all students to regular-season games, there's never a lack of cheering fans to pack the stands.
Club Sports
Dartmouth's 33 club sports teams vary from nationally competitive to casual and recreational. From Water Polo to Tae Kwon Do, these student-run squads compete against other colleges across the region. Some clubs hold tryouts whereas others are open for sign-ups, all which depends on the competitiveness of the organization. Much less of a commitment than a varsity sport but far more than intramurals, club teams often have practices sporadically throughout the week and usually play games on weekends.
Intramural Sports
The most casual and beginner-friendly tier of Dartmouth's athletic hierarchy, intramural sports are a fun way to get active without making too much of a time commitment. Students organize teams and compete against each other in a multitude of sports, all of which have different skill-based brackets to make sure that the matches stay competitive. Also a fun and cheap way to try something new, Dartmouth's IM scene is super inclusive and is available to anybody who can gather up a couple friends.
![](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/admissions/wysiwyg/text_400x400_flyfishing.jpg)
Physical Education
Physical Education courses offer students countless opportunities to get active for credit. From dance to martial arts and from yoga to skiing, Physical Education experiences are lead by undergraduate students and faculty alike on activities they're passionate about. Some are even Dartmouth Outing Club-sponsored programs, which involve weekend excursions to explore New Hampshire's scenic countryside. Unlike other courses, PE classes don't meet in normal blocks. Rather, they get together at different times during the week, usually with very lenient schedules. A great way to give something new a try, students need three PE credits to graduate, and with a wide range of activities to explore, there's truly something for everyone!
Athletic Facilities
Dartmouth boasts a wide array of beautiful facilities surrounding athletics and recreation. With over $94 million invested into our state-of-the-art venues in recent years, students are provided with the best resources possible to reach the top of their game. Some of these include:
- The Zimmerman Fitness Center, with over 16,000 square feet of new workout equipment for student use
- The Hanover Country Club, campus' very own golf course
- Thompson Arena, the skating rink home to Dartmouth's on-ice sports
- The Boss Tennis Center and Gordon Pavilion
- The JDB Rock Climbing Gym
- The Karl Michael and Spaulding Pools
- The Friends of Dartmouth Rowing Boathouse
- And much more!
Outdoor Programs Office
The Outdoor Programs Office (OPO) helps create opportunities for members of the Dartmouth community to explore and enjoy the amazing natural landscape of New England throughout their time at Dartmouth and beyond. Within OPO, The Dartmouth Outing Club is the oldest and largest collegiate outing club in the country. Anyone—member or not—may stay at their cabins, go on trips, rent gear, and take classes, and funding and grants are available.
The Upper Valley
Dartmouth is defined by more than just buildings; seated in the picturesque Upper Valley, we like to use the terrain to our advantage. With the Connecticut River nudging up along the western edge of campus, there's always an open spot to row, kayak, canoe, or even go for a swim. Also, just twenty minutes from campus lies the Dartmouth Skiway, two mountains complete with a lodge and shuttle that runs to campus during the winter months.
Featured on our Blog
![A group picture of Dartmouth triathletes waiting on the pool deck before the swim.](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_4154_original.jpg?itok=RQyS5aUJ×tamp=1715540491)
I got to participate in my first official race, Polar Bear Tri, with the Triathlon Team! Read on to hear about an action packed weekend.
![Nathan in his Dartmouth sweatshirt in his bedroom](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_3925_-_nathan_hammerschmitt_le_gal.jpeg?itok=b101ewC2×tamp=1694611771)
![Running heat map of Hanover, NH](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/screenshot_2024-03-02_at_6.23.56_pm.png?itok=Fp-DP5Om×tamp=1709427857)
Like running? Come explore some of my favorite routes!
![Nathan in his Dartmouth sweatshirt in his bedroom](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_3925_-_nathan_hammerschmitt_le_gal.jpeg?itok=b101ewC2×tamp=1694611771)
![blog_4320 × 3240_skating](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_1533.jpg?itok=ucws-5gh×tamp=1709672695)
With the start of winter term comes the beginning of winter sport season! Between academic courses and clubs, one class served as both a helpful learning experience and a fun winter activity where I could destress and unwind: Ice Skating!
![Me! blog_828 × 1026_brendilou](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_1226.png?itok=U8hQQ4ev×tamp=1663881287)
![an over-head photo of the Dartmouth swim pool. A few swimmers are in the water, as one walks in the background](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/dartmouth_swim_pool.jpg?itok=y8zsczEt×tamp=1708313984)
I'm on the club swim team here at Dartmouth. Read further if you want to know more about what club sports at Dartmouth are like!
![Martin sitting and smiling](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_0579_-_martin_skacel.jpeg?itok=nyj3P4ls×tamp=1694611967)
![Me posing with my pom poms, one hand on my hip with my other hand raised.](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_9546.jpg?itok=iPvI_H9R×tamp=1707075528)
A post highlighting the differences between cheering in the fall for football season and cheering in the winter for basketball season. Read more to learn about my favorite parts about basketball season so far!
![Arianna smiling at the grocery store](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_7676_-_arianna_dunkley.jpeg?itok=eQQiMmwB×tamp=1694612412)
![The Dartmouth Skiway](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/unnamed-2_0.jpg?itok=KxeToWlZ×tamp=1707162554)
![A picture of a vast snow covered landscape beyond a wooden fence.](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog/list-item/img_3676.jpg?itok=wDv7cTb0×tamp=1705989166)
This term, I'm ramping up my extracurricular involvement by checking out as many clubs as possible.
![A selfie of a young man smiling. He has brown hair, a red beard, and is wearing a blue hoodie.](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_0106.jpg?itok=H2SYYuA3×tamp=1708899927)
![a group of Dartmouth students in hockey skates and helmets, mostly wearing green-and-white striped shirts](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_6618.jpeg?itok=AjfGOgYP×tamp=1705692540)
Trying out something new this winter :)
![Portrait of Simon Lamontagne](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/lamontagne_simon-photo_1_-_simon_lamontagne.png?itok=L2r4zEBu×tamp=1691589892)
![Dartmouth vs Harvard Football Game Two girls wearing Dartmouth green colors smiling in front of Harvard football stadium.](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/dartmouth_vs_harvard.jpg?itok=4LEfnMz-×tamp=1703136731)
Traditions at Dartmouth are neverending! This fall, I participated in two sports traditions that I had yet to experience!
![Griselda Chavez '24](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/griselda_chavez_24_resize.jpg?itok=NlPXC0g1×tamp=1600899980)