With seven ski resorts just 45 minutes from the University of Utah, campus is full of skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. If you’re among them, it’s time to start preparing for winter now before resort pass prices rise and classes fill up. The U has you covered with discounts, gear rentals and skill-building courses, whether you’re a student, faculty or staff member. Get ready to hit the slopes and enjoy the season with these tips.

Join a student ski/snowboard club

Students can connect with fellow snow lovers by joining one of the university’s ski or snowboard clubs. Whether you want to compete or just have fun, there’s a club for you. (Bonus: Some clubs offer discount ski passes. See the next section for more info.)

• One Love Ski and Snowboard Club: This club is for anyone and everyone with an interest in snow sports, regardless of skill level. Anyone with an interest in snow sports can join.
• Utah Freeskier Society: This club helps students get involved with the local Utah ski community and get out on the mountains for reasonable prices. The club hosts events with prominent ski companies to get students who love the mountains together and stoked for the upcoming ski season.
• University of Utah Freeride Ski Program: The Freeride Team facilitates a competition club team for students at the University of Utah interested in freeride skiing and snowboarding.
• U of U Alpine Ski Club: The purpose of the University of Utah Alpine Ski Club is to provide a safe environment where students can continue or begin their individual and team ski racing careers.

Score deals and discounts on ski passes

• U students: Get discounted season passes through these U of U ski clubs: Freeskier Society and One Love. To qualify, you must be currently enrolled in college and will need to verify your student status. Follow the instructions on the club or ski resort website.
• Nonstudents: Check out Ski Utah for information on deals and discounts.

Learn skills and safety

The U offers a range of snow sports courses for students and the wider community. Gain skiing or snowboarding skills, join a guided winter backpacking trip, learn avalanche safety and more.

• Students: If you missed out this semester, register for spring semester classes.
• Nonstudents: Sign up for snow sports classes through Continuing Education.

Rent winter sports gear

Need gear? The U’s Outdoor Adventures rental shop has everything you need for winter recreation. Open to the public, the shop carries downhill, cross-country and telemark skis, snowboards, snowshoes, outerwear, avalanche safety gear and more.

Avoid canyon congestion

Home to two ski resorts a piece, Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons get bogged down in traffic during winter, and resort parking lots fill up quickly. Avoid the hassle and help improve Utah’s air quality by taking public transit.

The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) offers seasonal ski bus service to Alta, Brighton, Snowbird and Solitude. Service for the winter season usually runs from late November/early December through April. While most UTA services are free for students, faculty, and staff, ski bus fare is not included. However, many resorts offer free ski bus access as part of their season pass packages.

• Read about how to ride the ski bus like a pro.
• Download the Transit App for mobile trip planning.

Cheer on the University of Utah ski team

Last, but not least, make sure to follow the Utah Ski Team this upcoming season to see some impressive talent on the slopes. Check out these stats:

• The U ski team claims the most team national championships of any University of Utah Athletics program. They’ve won 16 team national championships in skiing, 15 of which have been NCAA championships.
• Utah Athletics has 123 individual national champions, including 86 by the skiing program.
• Both the ski team’s 86 individual championships and 15 NCAA team championships rank third-most of all ski programs in the country.
• Since the NCAA combined genders in skiing beginning with the 1983 Ski Championships, the Utes are the first program to win four straight team NCAA Championships.