From Rainy Campus to Snowy Cascades

How UO clubs and local programs are making snow sports accessible for students.

UO clubs and local programs make it easy to plan your next trip to the mountains this year.

“It doesn’t snow in Eugene, so the presence of snow sports here on campus are fairly small. Yet we’re trying to make it bigger because we love it,” M McFetridge said. McFetridge is a third-year student and the President of UO Snow, the University of Oregon’s official club ski and snowboard team.

Eugene is not known for snow; rather, the pouring rain truly captures Eugene’s winter. This being said, the rain quickly turns to snow as soon as you make your way into the Cascade Mountains. With resorts such as Willamette Pass, Mt. Hoodoo, and Mt. Bachelor just a quick drive away, along with resources like UO Snow on campus, snow sports are readily accessible to students.

“There’s nothing quite like waking up at 5 a.m. on a Saturday, and hauling your ass to the Rec to get on a cold school bus, and spending your whole day shredding fresh powder down the mountain,” McFetridge laughs.

For UO Snow, winters consist of weekly trips to Mt. Bachelor, where members are up by 6 a.m. to be the first on the mountain, and back by the late evening. “They are long days, but it’s really so much fun because you are doing it together and meeting new people,” McFetridge said.

From ski trips to club events to partnering with other organizations, UO Snow is home to 200 students who share a passion for snow sports. It’s all about the community for McFetridge and the rest of UO Snow. No matter the skill level, everyone is welcome.

UO SNOW Club

“I’ve watched people who have never done a jump before, who are now spinning and doing flips,” said McFetfridge. One of his favorite parts of leading this club is seeing how riders of all levels improve each session. Within the club, skill levels vary. “Some people ride the easier slopes, then hang out in the lodge the rest of the day, while others are sponsored athletes.”

Whether it’s clubs like UO Snow, UO Elevation and the Alpine Team or places to plan events and rent equipment like Tactics Sport Store, Bergs Ski and Snowboard Shop and the Outdoor Program Barn, there are many ways to get involved locally. These resources can make your next trip to the snow possible.

Tommy Hurley, a fourth-year student, has taken advantage of the snow sports community at UO. As an active member of UO Snow, he found himself a job with the UO Outdoor Program Barn after being a frequent customer. The rental Barn houses all the gear that students, faculty, and community members can rent. It also serves as a hub for trips and outings.

Hurley speaks very highly of these trips, “I have made some of my closest friends that I can count on with these outings.” He adds that the inherent risks of outdoor travel are easier to handle when he’s surrounded by people he’s grown to trust.

The community aspect is huge for Hurley. After facing a season-ending injury last year, he became a trip coordinator as an attempt to make his recovery better. “I felt really grateful to have a reason to be around the community and the energy of winter sports,” says Hurley.

The Outdoor Program harnesses the community and tries to help build the snow sports presence on campus. Assistant Manager of the Barn, Lucy Sholz, explained it as “everything you need.”

Offering discounted prices, funded trips, and partnerships with groups like the Latino Men’s Center and the BIPOC Student Union, the Outdoor Program makes getting involved easy. “We try to keep prices very low, because we know getting outside can be expensive,” Scholz says.

Staff organize regular outings for students. In addition, Common Adventure Trips lets students initiate their own adventures and access vans and gear at discounted prices, making snow sports more accessible.

The price, gear, skill-set and transportation make the mountain seem larger and scarier than it really is. Rather than a massive jump, getting involved in snow sports should come with the same ease and comfort as a bunny hill. These clubs, events, and organizations are just some resources that can help with that. Instead of using the rain as an excuse to hibernate, use the snow as a reason to get outdoors this winter.