Snow Club gets Aggies to the mountains

By Kate Stewart

STAFF REPORTER

Utah State University’s Snow Club provides Aggies the opportunity to come together and enjoy various snow sports.

USU professor Sean Michael is the first faculty member to oversee the program.

Michael is originally from West Virginia but has been in Utah for 14 years. He came to Utah to be the department head of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at USU.

Michael said skiing and snowboarding is something he has done his whole life. He loves to be out in the mountains.

Bowman Caldwell, a former USU student who started the club, originally approached Michael about being the club’s adviser.

When Caldwell created the Snow Club, it was called the Snowboard and Ski Club.

“Each club has to have a faculty advisor, and so I was happy to do that,” Michael said.

Michael has held his position of faculty advisor for three and a half years.

Michael said one of the coolest parts of the club is how it survived through the pandemic, and has continued to steadily grow ever since.

“To me, a cool story is how the passion of the students kept the club alive, and then they rebranded and made it their own by renaming it to the Snow Club, which I think is awesome,” Michael said.

USU senior Jackson North is the current president of the club.

North said his favorite part of the club is seeing the growth in students as well as offering them a source of community and inclusivity.

Both Michael and North touched on the welcoming atmosphere of the club.

“I think the thing is, the Snow Club is really focused on getting Aggies into the mountains, especially if they’re new to the sport. It’s definitely about welcoming everyone, not trying to be a club that’s only for those with tons of experience,” Michael said.

To those who are curious about learning to ski or snowboard, but might feel a little hesitant, North said to give the club a shot and see what happens.

The club is organized in a way that allows students with any type of snow sport experience to enjoy themselves and meet new friends.

They host various events for club members throughout the year. Michael said some of the activities they have done are barbecues, movie nights, wax nights, rail jams on Old Main Hill and going up to Beaver Mountain.

“Clubs like this, they’re really about bringing Aggies together, and they’re bringing benefits to Aggies, especially those that haven’t been able to get into sports,” Michael said. “We’ve been really fortunate that several immediate companies, specifically Beaver Mountain, and Directive Board Shop, have been very supportive of the club and have extended discounts to the club members, which has been great.”

Specific discounts through these partners and sponsors can be found on the club’s website, ususnowclub.com.

The partnerships the club has established gives students an easier opportunity to ski and snowboard for better rates.

“What I love is being able to make it easier for students to be able to get involved in these sports in particular,” Michael said.

This year, for the first time ever, the USU Snow Club is hosting a spring break trip.

The three-day ski trip will take place from March 7-9 at the Snowbird ski resort in Salt Lake City.

To participate in the trip, you must be a USU Snow Club member and a USU student.

North said they are very eager to have some Aggies join them in the mountains this year over spring break.

Michael said he hopes everyone can feel welcomed to the club and get out into the mountains if they want to.

“They’re really just a fun social club,” Michael said. “I know there are some snowboard/ski clubs that are really focused on doing competitions, but this one doesn’t have that focus. It’s really about getting the Aggies out into the mountains.”

Kate Stewart is a junior studying journalism and marketing. Kate is from the Portland, Oregon area and loves all things outdoors, family and friends.