October 10, 2016
Halle Thornton
With the first snow of the season making its appearance on Pikes Peak, it could be time to start thinking about skiing and shredding down the slopes this winter.
At UCCS, the Ski and Ride Club will host their third annual silent auction on Oct. 11 from 7-11 p.m. at the Stargazers Theatre.
Two pairs of skis and a snowboard from ski shop Icelandic will be auctioned at this year’s event.
Money raised will be used for a down payment on a cabin, which will be rented out by club members for their trip to Breckenridge during winter break. Last year, the club raised $1,400. In 2014, $900 was raised toward club expenses.
Junior mechanical engineering major, Chad Frankenberger, event coordinator for the Ski and Ride club, is excited about this year’s fundraiser.
“It’s a chance to win awesome products that haven’t been released yet,” said Frankenberger.
Teton Gravity Research, an extreme sports-media company from Wyoming, will show their new film, “Tight Loose” before the auction.
“‘Tight Loose’ should be really great. They do a really good job,” said Frankenberger.
Last year, the media company featured “Paradise Waits,” and the film was a big hit, said Frankenberger.
Rail Jam, hosted by 10 Barrel Brewing from Oregon, will take place before the event as well, according to senior criminal justice and psychology major Renee Swartz, club president.
Participants, including members of the club, can compete against each other on a terrain park complete with real snow and rails. Each participant will compete individually for a few rounds, and a winner will be chosen after the final round.
“Basically it’s a terrain park but they only pick a few features. It’s really rad and super cool,” said Swartz.
The club is also trying to get involved with intramural sports to encourage social events between members and other students, said Frankenberger.
“I just sign the club up for any event that sounds fun like dodge ball and kickball. We’re really pushing for social gatherings this year, not just ski trips,” said Frankenberger. The number of members in the club is difficult to keep track of, according to Frankenberger.
The club has 400 members on Facebook and 150-200 on Mountain Lion Connect, and 100 people attended the club’s first meeting this semester, said Frankenberger.
To sign up for the rail jam, visit surveymonkey. com/r/prayforsnow.