“Ski Buddies” Breaks Down Barriers for New Skiers

James Oatis

He/Him

Staff Writer

2/7/25

One of Plymouth State’s most popular activities during the winter is skiing and snowboarding. Its proximity to Waterville, Loon, Canon, and Tenney Ski resorts makes Plymouth a perfect winter sports location.  Ski culture is so ingrained into the university that classes are called off to celebrate Ski Day, which takes place on February 12^th this year. 

Though skiing is popular at PSU, it is a costly activity for ski veterans and newcomers alike. For a day at Loon Mountain, a ticket costs $71 and rentals can cost upwards of $60. With lessons costing more than $100, beginner skiers can expect to spend some $250 for one day of learning to ski. This also does not factor in transportation, as some students do not have a car on campus. Luckily, PSU’s outdoor center has the Ski Buddies program to make winter sports more approachable and accessible to PSU students.

The Ski Buddies program is part of the outdoor experiences program, meaning most of it is already paid for by student fees. At Ski Buddies, transportation is provided with the Outdoor Center’s vans, making it easier for students without cars to get to a mountain. The program also includes helpful advice and pointers from student volunteers familiar with skiing. When comparing costs, the ski buddies program is one of the best ways to get either just a ride to a mountain or receive some helpful tips on skiing. With rentals and a discounted ticket at Tenney Mountain using a PSU ID, my full bill was only $65. A pair of ski rentals was $45, while a helmet rental was $10. The RFID card and ticket for a first-time visitor was $10 with a student ID, compared to the regular $65-90 for a day. If you have a Tenney RFID card already from previous skiing trips, it is only $5 for student tickets. 

Ski Buddies was started by PSU senior Laylah Tsay to give novice skiers and snowboarders helpful advice. Tsay was inspired to start the program after a skiing trip she took when she was a junior in high school, where she was shocked at skiing and snowboarding’s high prices and learning curve. “It’s a pretty frustrating sport to just get into when you’re older,” Tsay said. “A lot of people, when they’re young, don’t realize people who started learning from a young age at the age of three or four, it takes a lot of money.” Ski Buddies helps break down barriers by “creating a supportive environment for all skill levels, with assistance from experienced outdoor experience leaders,” Tsay said.

If you would like some advice on how to ski before Ski Day, consider signing up for Ski Buddies on February 9^th.  Ski buddies is also hosting another event later this month on February 28^th. To stay updated on future events hosted by the outdoor center, make sure to follow @outdoorexperiencespsu on Instagram.