Winter in upstate New York can be seemingly endless for many Colgate University students. Fortunately, the Colgate Ski and Snowboard Club (CSSC) helps make the cold weather a little more enjoyable. CSSC invites students to embrace this winter wonderland instead of staying inside and avoiding the snow.
A student-run organization, CSSC offers weekly ski and snowboard trips free of charge. These trips include transportation to nearby mountains, rental equipment, lift tickets and lessons. Junior Emilia Colabello is a co-president of CSSC.
“The club is here to make winter sports accessible for everyone,” Colabello said. “Our mission is to help skiers and snowboarders develop and enhance their abilities in a comfortable environment. This especially applies to students who might be restricted, either financially or geographically, from snow sports.”
Junior Anneliese Coleman works alongside Colabello as the club’s co-president. She was inspired to join CSSC her freshman year because of her experience with a geographical barrier.
“Growing up in northern Virginia, it was easy to go to the mountains and ski. However, I eventually moved to Texas and lost that ability,” Coleman said. “[I thought] what a cool idea to reach out to students like me and give them an opportunity to try something new or explore an interest.”
First-year student Meredith McKenna joined at the club fair her fall semester and shared a similar challenge.
“When I was younger, I absolutely loved skiing. However, once I moved to Miami in high school, my interest became less attainable. I immediately joined CSSC once I saw it at the club fair, knowing that my passion could be rekindled once again,” McKenna said.
Over the course of five weeks, hundreds of Colgate students like McKenna participate in CSSC. Every Friday and Saturday, 56 students bundle up and take about an hour bus ride to either Song, Labrador or Greek Peak Mountain Resort. Upon arrival, rentals are distributed, lift tickets are organized and beginner lessons are coordinated. Per tradition, the night concludes with a trip to Donovan’s Pub after arrival back to Colgate.
For those who have never skied or snowboarded, assistance is provided at every step. With a beginner-focused design, inexperienced students partake in lessons where experienced members help teach basic steps. Through club fairs, GetInvolved emails and a GroupMe with over 600 individuals, CSSC looks to spread involvement far and wide.
While CSSC aims to expand access to students of all different backgrounds, they also value creating connections and memories to last a lifetime. Colgate students swap stories, compare runs, meet new people and chat on the long bus rides to and from the mountain.
Coleman shared a key memory from her sophomore year.
“My first time learning to snowboard, I met some seniors who were also learning the sport. I had never met them before, but quickly developed a connection. Having that shared experience and learning together made the whole process less scary and overall more memorable,” Coleman said.
Shared challenges like this help to foster connection and build lifelong talents. Looking ahead, CSSC will continue to reach as many first-time and beginner skiers and snowboarders as possible. For the first few weeks of the season, students are limited to one trip to ensure new members can participate and the thrill of skiing and snowboarding can be shared with as many individuals as possible.
The Colgate Ski and Snowboard Club helps transform the bitter weather into something positive. Regardless of whether you are an experienced skier or have never strapped on a pair of skis, CSSC shows students their interests have no barriers. Winter does not have to be something to escape, but instead embrace.
