The Best Colleges for Skiers

There are a lot of questions to consider when choosing a college. What are the degree programs? What’s its reputation? How much does it cost to attend? And the list goes on. If you’re a skier or snowboarder, however, and especially if you’re a winter sports athlete, then you probably want to know what the best colleges near ski resorts are. So we’re here to help in that search with a list of some of the best colleges for skiers and riders. 

There isn’t a specific set of criteria that we used when selecting schools. Rather, we wanted to offer a well-rounded list of colleges that would most likely appeal to a wide variety of skiers and riders. Some of these schools are known for their ski and snowboard clubs, others have highly decorated ski teams, and some of the colleges and universities have specialized degree programs for those who want to pursue a career in winter sports. So continue reading for our list of the best colleges for skiers and riders in the U.S.

The Best Colleges in America for Skiers

University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 

Fittingly, we start in Vermont, one of America’s most historic and famous ski regions. At the University of Vermont (UVM), just minutes from downtown Burlington, the UVM Ski and Snowboard Club is the largest collegiate ski and snowboard club in America, and the largest club on campus with more than 3,000 members. The University of Vermont also has a number of other clubs related to winter sports including the UVM Outing Club, Chicks on Sticks, People of Color Outdoors, and more. New students will have no problem finding tons of like-minded snow lovers to connect with. Perhaps most importantly for ski racers, University of Vermont’s race team is top notch, with the team taking home six NCAA Skiing National Championship titles.

The University of Vermont’s ski access is also hard to beat. The main campus is located within an hour’s drive of some of the East Coast’s top ski resorts, including Stowe, Bolton Valley, Sugarbush, and Mad River Glen. Other renowned New England ski resorts, like Killington, are just over an hour away. Additionally, the University of Vermont has a Bachelor of Science in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism program for students who want to channel their love for the outdoors into a career path. If you love East Coast skiing and want a blend of urban amenities and mountain access, then the University of Vermont is a great choice.

Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont 

Middlebury College fosters an environment focused on building leaders across a variety of specializations in the picturesque Champlain Valley. What’s arguably most unique about Middlebury College, especially for skiers and riders, is that the college has owned and operated nearby Middlebury Snowbowl, the oldest ski area in Vermont, ever since ski trails were cut there in 1934. Across the ski area are four lifts, 28 trails, and tons of glades. The ski area recently added night skiing during the week, which for busy college students is the perfect end to a long day of classes. Students receive discounted ticket rates and can attend events that the ski area hosts regularly. Bonus: Students can even earn physical education credit for taking ski or snowboard lessons at the Snowbowl Snow School.

Additionally, Middlebury College has a men’s and women’s alpine racing teams, a Nordic racing team, and a Nordic ski club team.

Colby College, Waterville, Maine 

Colby College, one of the oldest colleges in Maine, is just an hour south of skiing powerhouse Sugarloaf. Its location is especially favorable for cross-country skiers, granting students access to a wide network of cross-country skiing via the Quarry Road Trails, which can be enjoyed with the Colby Outing Club. Colby College also has a mountaineering club and Nordic skiing club. Additionally, Colby has a men’s and women’s alpine ski team and a men’s and women’s Nordic ski team. The Alpine Ski team trains at Sugarloaf, though the campus itself is close to a number of other mountains. Titcomb Mountain, Spruce Mountain, and Lost Valley Ski Area are all smaller ski hills within an hour’s drive of campus. For those willing to make the extra drive for less crowds and slightly more terrain, Black Mountain is an hour and a half away.

Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 

Dartmouth College, the only Ivy League school on our list, founded the first collegiate ski team in 1909 and hosted the first downhill and slalom races in America. Dartmouth’s men’s and women’s alpine ski racing teams have continuously produced exceptional athletes, with more than 100 former Dartmouth athletes having competed in the Winter Olympics. They are the only university to have at least one current or former student on the U.S. Winter Olympic team since the Winter Olympics began in Chamonix in 1924. While Dartmouth may not have the name recognition as other schools on this list, its history of producing winter Olympians is unparalleled.

Just 15 minutes away from campus, Dartmouth Skiway, like Middlebury, is owned and operated by the college, with shuttles available to take students to and from the mountain daily during the winter season. Dartmouth has competitive men’s and women’s alpine racing teams and cross-country teams, while there’s the Dartmouth Outing Club for less competitive snow sports opportunities.

SUNY Platsburg, Platsburg, New York 

SUNY Platsburg, part of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities, offers an impressive 70-plus academic programs across a wide-variety of disciplines. Students looking to forge a career path in the outdoor industry can start with Adventure Sports and Expeditionary Studies Department. Studying in this program can provide students with the means to work as ski patrollers, park rangers, and mountain guides. It’s the best of all worlds, giving students the chance to spend time outside, learn about some of the most important outdoor careers, and start building a career in the outdoors.

Look no further than the Plattsburgh Ski/Snowboard & Outdoors Club for winter sports opportunities. Full time undergraduate and graduate students can enjoy unlimited access to Belleayre Mountain, Gore Mountain, and Whiteface through the Ski3 College Club Pass at a discounted rate. What’s more, SUNY Platsburg’s location in Upstate New York, near the Vermont border, also puts students close to a number of Vermont ski resorts, including Stowe and Bolton, both of which are a couple hours away.

Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana

Montana State University is conveniently located just an hour south of one of the West’s best ski resorts, Big Sky Resort, while local favorite Bridger Bowl is just 25 minutes away. It’s particularly a popular choice among young alpine ski racers; Montana State University has a men’s and women’s alpine ski racing team that recently placed 5th at the 2024 NCAA Championship. Montana State also has alpine, Nordic, freeride, backcountry skiing, and ski mountaineering at the club level for skiers of all levels.

For those students who simply want access to ski terrain, they’ll have access to a lot of it at Big Sky, which is one of the largest ski resorts in North America with 5,850 acres of terrain. Big Sky Resort offers MSU students the Blue Pass at student-friendly prices with the Bobcat Pass. It comes with access to the mountain Sunday to Friday (with blackout dates), along with a variety of perks and discounts. Note that it doesn’t include entry for the Lone Peak Tram, which can be purchased as an add-on.

University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 

With 16 National Championship titles under their belt, the University of Utah is an acclaimed school for young ski racers. Located in the heart of Salt Lake City, the University of Utah has unmatched access to some of the best skiing and best powder in the country. It’s located just 40 minutes away from Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon, where students can ski renowned resorts like Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, and Solitude. The campus is also about 40 minutes from Park City and Deer Valley. 

There’s no shortage of programs and clubs for snow lovers at the University of Utah, including the Utah Freeskier Society, University of Utah Freeride Ski Program, and the U of U Alpine Ski Club, all of which are aimed at getting students outside and connected with the Utah ski community. The One Love Ski and Snowboard Club is the largest club on campus, open to skiers and snowboarders of all levels. They run regular trips to Utah’s best ski resorts and offer students the opportunity to get discounted ski passes. The U’s Outdoor Adventures rental shop, which is also open to the public, helps provide students with gear for everything from first-time set-ups to advanced backcountry or telemark needs.

University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 

The University of Colorado Boulder, one of the four institutions in the University of Colorado system, won the 2024 NCAA Ski Championship, making it the school’s 20th NCAA title and cementing the varsity ski team as the university’s most successful sport (only the University of Denver has more NCAA skiing championships). In addition to the ski team, the University of Colorado offers a snowboarding club, a freesking club that competes in big mountain moguls, ski cross, and various park events, and Boulder Freeride, which is the main ski club that has been in operation since 1933. The Boulder Freeride club also takes annual ski trips outside of Colorado to destinations like Jackson Hole, Canada, and the Alps.

The University of Colorado Boulder is just a 35-minute drive from Eldora Mountain, which has 61 runs spread across 680 acres of skiable terrain. Getting to the other resorts on Colorado Front Range will take a little longer, usually a two and a half hour drive. Nevertheless, there’s a university ski bus that picks up at various points across campus and offers transportation to Vail, Aprahoe Basin, Copper Mountain, and Breckenridge. 

Reed College, Portland Oregon

While Reed College, located in a beautiful forested area in Southeast Portland, isn’t set to the backdrop of mountains like some of the other schools on this list, it shouldn’t be overlooked. This small private liberal arts college is just an hour and a half away from Mt. Hood Skibowl, while Mt. Hood Meadows, home to 2,150 skiable acres of terrain, and Timberline Lodge, featuring the longest ski season in North America, are also nearby. Mt. Hood Skibowl is a good choice for students, since it’s home to America’s largest night skiing operation. It’s perfect for those post-class laps.

Skiers can join the Reed Outing Club or take a PE course that heads to the mountains at least once a week. Also, students, faculty, and alumni can all take advantage of the Reed Outing Club to reserve a cabin near the mountains for prime trail access. The Government Camp cabin, located in Government Camp Village, is just a short drive to Mt. Hood Skibowl, Timberline, and Mt. Hood Meadows, making it the ideal spot for a weekend break from campus. Reed College is great for those skiers looking for a small, creative college experience in an urban environment.

Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan 

Finally, we couldn’t talk about colleges for skiers without highlighting a university in the Midwest. Located on the Upper Michigan Peninsula on the border of Wisconsin, Northern Michigan University is just a ten minute drive to Marquette Mountain Resort for some hot laps in between classes. Mount Bohemia, one of the Midwest’s preeminent ski resorts, is just under a three-hour drive away. They have a USCSA level alpine racing team who placed high at the 2024 National Championship. Northern Michigan University also has a Nordic Club that is open to skiers of all levels who are interested in fostering a lifetime love of the sport. They practice a couple times per week, meeting at the Forestville Trailhead.

Northern Michigan University is particularly a great university for those who want to pursue a career in the ski industry thanks to its Ski Area Business Management program, which is a joint offering with Gobeic Community College. Find out more on NMU’s website.

Header image: Stowe/Vail Resorts