The Facts
The Columbia Ski and Snowboard Racing Team is Columbia University's only skiing and snowboarding club. Also known as CU Ski and Ride or Harlem Alpine Racing or any combination of the above, the team provides a competitive environment for skiers and snowboarders to hone their skills on the racing slope while fostering development among less advanced skiers and riders. Competitions, both Slalom and Giant Slalom, are run under the auspices of the US Collegiate Snowsport Association within the New Jersey Conference. With plenty of time to free-ski off the racing slope there's no limit on creativity. As a club sport at Columbia, the team is afforded a degree of freedom and community sometimes not experienced at the varsity level. The team affords a fun social environment, providing the opportunity to make year-round relationships that may well last beyond graduation.

The Season
Lasting from the end of January to mid-March, the season consists of a training trip over the last week of winter break, weekly practices that run throughout the season, and a number of weekend races--some of which include overnights. Practices are held Fridays at Hunter Mountain in New York's Catskill range, just two hours north of the city. Its excellent snowmaking capacity allows for continuous skiing throughout the season regardless of fickle weather conditions. Prospective students should be aware that Friday classes are rare at Columbia and students may plan their semester schedules around extracurriculars. CU Ski and Ride has also often qualified for the post-season Mid-Atlantic Regional Competition, warranting an additional weekend-long trip to a different resort each year. Look out for the season end banquet that celebrates another successful season.

The Training Trip
As winter break draws to a close in mid January, the team runs a training trip that draws its members away from the rolling steeps of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and downstate New York to one of the premier resorts on the east coast. A favorite choice in recent years has been Quebec's Mt. Tremblant, with diverse trails for all levels, feet of powder to take advantage of, pristine glades, and both natural and man-made terrain that could keep one busy for days if not weeks. The trip is not obligatory and as a result trip fees are kept separate from regular season dues. But be advised, with incredible team rates, additional Columbia subsidization, special catering of resorts to our needs (such as privatizing trails for the sole purpose of CU Ski and Ride training), endless opportunities to free ride, daily apres ski festivities, and inherent social opportunities, pre-season training trips are NOT to be missed.

Post-season: Haven't had enough? Organize a trip with your new friends for spring break and take advantage of special deals offered by companies like CollegeSkiTrips.com

The Deal
The Columbia Ski and Snowboard team has been fortunate to enjoy the benefits of high Columbia subsidization since its inception into club sports so take advantage! All levels of riders are welcome to join and share our passion for speed, style, socializing and freshly fallen powder.

Contact
Don't be shy, contact a captain right now!