5 November 2019
Derek Lee
As winter weather glides into our lives, so too does winter sports. Two of those sports, in particular, are skiing and snowboarding.
The Ski and Ride Club at UCCS provides students with the opportunity to engage with people of similar interests. “The ski and ride club is a recognized campus club that’s all about skiing and snowboarding,” said Ski and Ride club vice president Naomi Hayner via email.
“We are a club that values inclusivity and diversity, bringing people of varying ages, ethnicities and skill levels together through the commonality of a love for snow,” Havner said.
“We work to reach large populations of campus through a multitude of outreach/social platforms and embody the vision of bringing people together to have some fun,” said Ski and Ride club president Jessica Battin, adding that, “We work to provide a supportive and fun atmosphere for our veteran skiers as well as engage newcomers to the sport daily.”
Hayner, who is a senior majoring in inclusive elementary education, said the club provides a space and outlet for people to connect and create genuine friendships with others who have a common interest.
Battin, who is a senior majoring in biomedical science, says the club hosts various trips, including day bus trips to the mountains, multiple-day trips and a training trip to Woodland Park.
Anyone can join the club, said Battin.
“Club dues are $15 and last the entire season. These dues get you access to free bus trips that include lunch to Keystone or Breckenridge. You do need to have your own equipment or be able to rent gear since the club does not have any more members to borrow [from].”
Hayner said that perks of being a member include free bus trips that include lunch, a low cost four-day trip to Breckenridge, discounted tickets for a Mount Princeton hot springs trip and discounts at local ski and/gear shops. There are around 40 members in Ski and Ride club, said Battin.
The trips that the club have planned for this semester are a bus trip to Keystone on Nov. 16, a bus trip to Copper on either Nov. 23 or Nov. 30, and the Ski and Soak trip to Monarch and Princeton Hot Springs on Dec. 7.
When it is not ski season, Hayner said that the club wax their skis and pray for snow. They also like to jib, which is using skis or snowboards on anything but snow. Battin said that some of the other members have interest in other outdoor activities and will go rock climbing, mountain biking, rafting and hiking during the summer.
With Arapahoe Basin opening on Oct. 11, there has been a little over a month since the ski season started.
“This year has had record breaking early snow fall with several good storms helping to create a nice foundation of snow for the season,” said Hayner. “With such cold weather so soon, resorts have also been able to start producing their own snow sooner, aiding their early openings.”
After the latest round of snow, A-Basin reported an 18-inch base, and had two trails open to skiers, served by a single lift.
Keystone Resort, the second ski resort in Colorado to open its slopes, also reported an 18-inch base, with four trails and six lifts open.
For more information on ski and ride club, search for “Ski & Ride Club @ UCCS” on Facebook and follow @skiandrideuccs on Instagram.