By Mia Morgillo
Just an hour away from campus is the fifth highest peak in New York, Whiteface Mountain, a popular ski and snowboard spot. Full time SUNY Plattsburgh students are able to purchase the SKI3 pass, which typically cost $689, for $329. The pass allows them to shred Whiteface, Belleayre and Gore mountains.
The SKI3 College Club Season Pass is available for purchase through Dec. 8. The exact expiration date is to be determined, but it will occur in Spring 2022. To access the pass, there is a link in the Ski and Snowboard Club Instagram bio. Only full-time students — 12+ credits for undergraduates and 9+ credits for graduate students — may acquire the tickets. Students can reload a SKI3 card from last season with gift code PLATTSBURGH21.
One group of students who put this pass to use every year is members of the SUNY Plattsburgh Ski and Snowboard Club, or as they call it “The Most Fun Club on Campus.”
In past years, the club hosted Rail Jam, a freestyle ski and snowboard competition that unifies the club with rails and music set up outside of Memorial Hall, has been an annual tradition for the club for years. However, it was not able to take place last year, and might not this year either.
Rails and safety supervision have historically been supplied by local mountains, but this year, none were willing to be of service.
Vice President Kerri Murphy said, “one big impact [of COVID-19] was not having a rail jam due to staffing and liabilities.”
However, losing this event has not slowed the club down. With at least 65 active members, the club has shown it’s impossible to keep a shredder down. This past Wednesday, the Ski and Snowboard Club started a new tradition with a back country avalanche safety speech presented by expeditionary studies professor Casey Henley. This gave students the opportunity to learn how to safely navigate slides before heading to a mountain — to prevent injury and ensure a great experience. Additionally, the club is working toward hosting a beginners day in February at Titus Mountain.
“They are allowing up to 50 rentals, unlimited tickets for beginners day and lessons for all,” president Nick Lawler said.
Tickets will be $44 per person without rentals and $69 plus tax with rentals.
