Ski resorts are opening over the next few weeks, beginning Colorado’s six-month ski season, a long-awaited activity for UCCS students. Students have discounts and services to look out for to help them hit the slopes.
Campus recreation, the Student Outdoor Learning Experience Center, and the Ski and Ride club provide tools to have fun at resorts without breaking the bank. A solo trip to a resort will have costly rentals and an even costlier season pass, so take advantage of campus resources.
The SOLE Center, in Gallogly Recreation and Wellness Center, has information on how to properly prepare for outdoor activities and offers inclusive student trips for all skill levels.
The center offers discounted trips and services for activities such as mountain biking, hiking and snow sports. Their trips are from early morning to night and cost on average $130 including rentals.
SOLE will host their annual Ski and Soak trip at Monarch Mountain and Princeton Hot Springs on Dec. 1. Other ski trips include Copper Mountain on Dec. 17 and Loveland Pass on Dec. 21.
Riding the slopes requires gear, and campus rec helps with that, too.
Students that have lived in Colorado before may already have some essential gear, but those who moved from other states may not have all the preparations they need. In either case, it is important to have well-maintained helmets, goggles, neck gaiters, coats and skis or a snowboard.
SOLE allows students to rent all this gear at a cheaper price than resorts offer. They offer ski packages for only $22 a day, which is better than nearly $50 in the popular resorts around Colorado. There is also a ski and bike shop, a service that allows students to repair and maintain their boards and bikes. The staff can wax and tune skis and snowboards for $15.
Students can also take advantage of the Rec Center gym to keep up their strength and muscles throughout the season. The Wellness Center offers physical therapy and concussion care to help students recover in the event of an injury.
Campus recreation hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday. For a full list of SOLE trips, visit their website.
Photo from smithsonianmag.com.