Mountain Sports

Transcript

Let’s talk with Kate. While most universities have sports teams, Western students can combine their passion for adventure with collegiate athletics through the Mountain Sports program. Kate, a recent graduate, took skiing to the next level by participating on the Freeride Team. She’s here to tell us all about her Western experience on and off the slopes.

– Thanks, Alex. Hey, everyone. I am so excited to talk about Western’s very unique Mountain Sports Program. Since I grew up skiing 10 minutes from home and with great outdoor access, I knew I had to continue my education in the mountains. Western Colorado University made for a perfect fit because of its location. I could receive a high quality education while also living in a beautiful and active place. With interest in bringing my skiing to the next level, I decided to join the Mountain Sports Freeride Team. Freeride is a form of skiing and snowboarding that involves taking full advantage of the terrain of the mountain, whether that be skiing technical lines or dropping cliffs. I came to the team with no competitive experience and had never taken my skis off of the ground. Over the next four years, I learned how to ski fast and drop cliffs, made the greatest friendships, and traveled all over the country and even Canada to compete. A highlight was winning a competition in Juneau, Alaska and sharing the podium with my teammates. The Freeride Ski and Snowboard Team is just one of seven Mountain Sports teams. Western also offers alpine skiing, rock climbing, mountain biking, trail running, ski mountaineering, and Nordic skiing teams. All teams provide quality coaching and several travel opportunities at an affordable cost. Some people join for personal growth, and others hope to become professional athletes. The program also ensures balance between your academics and sport of choice. I graduated summa cum laude and never felt overwhelmed by being a Mountain Sports athlete. During my time at Western, I fell in love with not only skiing, but the school, the people, and the area. I loved it all so much that I now work for Western as a Marketing Content Coordinator. I hope to help bring new students here so they can share an equally fulfilling college experience. That’s all from me. See you on the mountain, Alex.

– It’s not at every university that students get to finish up their days with world class skiing and snowboarding. Some students have even gone on to earn professional sponsorships following their time on Mountain Sports teams at Western. This place truly reaches another level when it comes to providing an educational adventure. Thank you so much. That was an amazing story.