Where to get your ski pass?
I don’t know about you, but accessibility to skiing is one of the main reasons why I chose to come to UVM (other than the academics of course). The UVM Ski and Snowboard Club was started in 2003 in an effort to have an organized way to get UVM students discounted season passes, rides to the mountain using shuttles, and a fun community to meet new friends who also enjoy skiing. Since its inception in 2003, The UVM Ski and Snowboard Club (UVM SSC) has grown to be the largest ski and snowboard club on the east coast and is currently the second largest in the country behind Colorado University, Boulder.
UVM SSC offers many discounted season passes to various mountains around the greater UVM area and it isn’t always easy deciding which mountain to get your pass to. Your number one priority should be to ski or ride with your friends, so my first recommendation is to get your friends to all decide on a pass to get because it’s no fun skiing alone! In order to decide this, here is a list of all the mountains that UVM SSC offers passes to and what kind of skiing and riding experience you can get out of each one. Whether you are a Vermont local or have never skied in Vermont before, picking your ski pass is never an easy task. That’s why we’re here to help!
STOWE
Stowe Mountain Resort is arguably the largest and most developed resort in Vermont. With a brand new base lodge and world class amenities, Stowe is a beautiful place to be. If you’re looking for an experience similar to skiing out west, Stowe offers a wide variety of terrain for all skiing/riding levels and some of the best sidecountry/backcountry terrain on the east coast. Additionally, for the 2019-20 season, added onto your Stowe pass is also unlimited days at Okemo Mountain Resort in southern Vermont and Mount Sunapee in New Hampshire as your pass is an epic local pass through UVM SSC.
SUGARBUSH
It’s difficult to get bored at Sugarbush. Over the past three years or so, sugarbush has become one of the most popular mountains amongst UVM students. Sugarbush offers a little bit of everything. A laid-back atmosphere, the best terrain parks in the area, and two peaks for skiers and riders to enjoy. Mount Ellen (one of the two peaks), is where the renown Sugarbush Parks lives. Their setups are easily some of the most creative and well thought out parks I’ve ever seen and is THE place to be if you are into freestyle skiing or snowboarding. There are also many levels of passes that you can get for Sugarbush. For more info on these options, swing by the SSC Clubhaus on the first floor of the Davis Center.
MAD RIVER GLEN
With the tagline “Ski it if you can”, Mad River might as well be called the Alta of the East. With some of the gnarliest skiing on the east coast and a no snowboarders allowed’ policy, MRG offers a local-centric atmosphere that truly brings you back to how skiing felt in decades past. MRG is the epitome of Classic New England Skiing. If you are into freeskiing, this is the place for you. From side hits to legendary liftline cliff drops, Mad River Glen has it all.
JAY PEAK
Jay Peak is the most northerly located and farthest away resort that SSC offers a pass to. This means that although you have to drive about an hour and a half to get there, you get rewarded with often an extra six inches of snow compared to the storms that more local mountains receive. Jay is home to the only aerial tram in the area, making it extremely easy to ski top-to-bottom runs all day. While it may get a little extra cold up there, Jay’s powder skiing rivals any other mountain in Vermont.
SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH
Located just on the backside of Stowe, Smugglers’ Notch offers fantastic skiing and riding for those looking to beat the crowds at Stowe. With a more laid-back atmosphere, skiing and riding at Smuggs will make you feel like a true local. Similar to Mad River Glen, Smuggs is definitely a quintessential, classic New England Skiing experience. Additionally, this is a great mountain to ski or ride if you’re newer to the sport, as SSC offers their Learn to Ski and Ride Days here during the spring semester.
BOLTON VALLEY
Bolton Valley is a great place to ski if you’re not looking to drive far as it is only about a half hour away from UVM’s campus. Bolton valley also offers night skiing which is very popular amongst students who have very busy schedules during the day. Although it is a very small resort, there is a great ski community and it is a very laid back and fun environment to be in.
