Snow Club brings students together ‘on and off the mountain’

Students looking for a way to ski or snowboard more often this winter have an option beyond going solo: USU Snow Club, a student-run group that pairs resort meetups and campus hangouts with discounted passes, rideshares and gear deals. 

The club is open to skiers and snowboarders across the Utah State University community, and its goal is simple. 

“Our mission is to help foster a community on and off the mountain,” said Jessi Swearingen, the club’s events coordinator. 

Photo Submitted by Aidan Cone

Members of the USU Snow Club meet around a large club sign at Beaver Mountain Ski Area.

Club president Aidan Cone said Snow Club is meant for a wide range of riders.  

“I don’t think we really set a standard for skill level,” Cone said. “It’s focused on bringing people together who are like-minded and creating a community and a place where they can connect.” 

That community comes with a low barrier to entry. A season membership costs $20 for the 2025-26 school year, and it unlocks access to partner discounts, including Beaver Mountain and Ikon pass codes, plus perks like free film night entry and industry discounts, according to the club’s website. 

For many students, cost and transportation are the biggest hurdles to getting on the hill. Snow Club tries to address both, leaders said. 

On the pricing side, the club advertises Beaver student season passes for $420 and Ikon Base and full Ikon passes listed at $729 and $999 through its pass-discount page. Cone said the Beaver deal is a major reason students join. 

 “We were able to negotiate a $420 Season Pass price,” Cone said. “We offer that really, really amazing price throughout the season.” 

Cone also urged students to pay attention to early-season deadlines for larger pass products.  

“That price kind of creeps up throughout summer and fall, leading into the season, and those go off sale on Dec. 1,” Cone said. 

On the logistics side, the club uses a Discord group chat to help members connect for carpools, updates and event announcements. Cone said the club avoids promising transportation, but the carpool channel stays active.  

“We try and limit, like advertising that we help get people to the mountain for liability reasons,” Cone said, “but we do have a group chat … focused towards setting up carpools.” 

“We’ll see people weekly at least,” Cone added. “You know, say, ‘I’m heading up. I have a few open seats if you want to go. Let me know.’” 

Most winter programming centers on Beaver Mountain, which the club calls its home resort, about 40 minutes outside Logan. Throughout the season, the club hosts barbecues at Beaver on alternating Saturdays and Sundays so more members can attend, Swearingen said, and officers often spend the day riding with newcomers. 

Those resort days are meant to be flexible rather than rigid, Swearingen said. A typical Snow Club event includes officers setting up in the parking lot, flying a club flag and grilling around lunchtime, with members stopping by between runs to meet people and then heading back out. 

Cone described the spring schedule as an on-hill meet-up that feels like a tailgate.  

“We have on mountain tailgates from the parking lot,” Cone said. “We cook up hot dogs and have pancakes sometimes.” 

Snow Club also leans into off-mountain events to keep people connected before and after snowfall. In the fall, Swearingen said the club typically hosts a film night with sponsor giveaways, plus wax nights where members can learn, tune equipment and hang out. Cone said those fall events are often the easiest way for newcomers to show up. 

 “Those events in the fall, the movie night, tailgates, bonfires, those events are honestly our most popular,” Cone said. “You’re not having to drive up 40-50 minutes to Beaver to meet. It’s right here on campus.” 

For students who are curious but intimidated, both leaders emphasized starting small and finding support. Swearingen recommends USU’s ski and snowboard PE classes as an entry point, especially because buying a Beaver pass through the club can make the class cheaper and create more opportunities to practice outside of class. 

Cone agreed that cost can keep students away from snow sports.  

“No secret, getting into skiing and snowboarding is extremely expensive,” Cone said, adding that rentals and lessons can be a lower-cost way to test the sport before investing in gear. 

While Snow Club does not run beginner-only events, Swearingen said the community is meant to be welcoming at every level and focused on getting people together on the mountain regardless of ability.  

Cone put it more simply: “Our goal with events is to welcome everyone,” Cone said.