As the new semester kicks into gear and temperatures drop below freezing, students look for ways to enjoy the winter weather without spending a fortune. Schussmeisters Ski Club, run exclusively by students, is focused on providing UB students with the chance to enjoy two of the best recreational activities that Buffalo has to offer: skiing and snowboarding.
"We try to offer services to students that are fun and relaxing and get students to enjoy Buffalo and what it has to offer in the winter," said club chairman Robert Mercurio, a senior business major.
Schussmeisters deals exclusively with local resorts including Holiday Valley, Kissing Bridge, Peek'n Peak, and Cockaigne. For one seasonal price, Schussmeisters provides lift tickets to these locations up to 10 times each week, giving members opportunities to ski and snowboard at a variety of locations.
The club provides transportation to Kissing Bridge and Holiday Valley. Buses are available 4 times per week on both North and South Campus at designated locations.
Schussmeisters also offers membership to UB alumni and family members. Andrew Kulpa, a sophomore business major, joined Schussmeisters while his sister was a UB student.
"I've been in the club since I was eleven," Kulpa said. "I like it because even in high school I could use my pass and my family members could join the club too."
Club member Joshua Haentges, sophomore biological sciences major, is excited for the upcoming month and anticipating better skiing conditions. Although Haentges is eager to enjoy the fresh powder, he plans on not taking too many risks on the slopes.
"I have too much to lose," Haentges said. "I wouldn't want to break my arm and not be able to write for the semester."
Shawn Baisley, a senior exercise science major, has been a member of Schussmeisters since last semester and is looking forward to starting the season.
"I went once before winter break," Baisley said. "Not all the hills were open yet because it was the beginning of the season, so it wasn't that crowded."
Although the winter sports season usually winds down around March, Schussmeisters is open for business all year round, planning social events, dealing with club business and preparing for the upcoming season.
Schussmeisters also plans trips each year to offer students a weekend getaway or an inexpensive spring break option. Trips are open to all students, not just club members.
"Thirty years ago we started running trips," Mercurio said. "We started taking adventures out west and down south."
In the past, the club has visited places like Florida and Breckenridge, Colorado. This year, the club will be taking a weekend ski trip to Killington, Vermont from Feb. 8-10. In addition, the club will be hosting a trip to Jamaica from March 8-15, with 2 spots still available.
Joshua Klein, a junior biomedical sciences major, is a big fan of Schussmeisters' annual trips.
"Breckenridge was awesome," Klein said. "The trips are great because each year you get to see a new part of the country."
Any students interested in either trip can stop by the club office located at 360 Student Union. All other information, including rates, schedules, trip information and winter weather condition hotlines can be found at the club's official Web site at www.schussmeisters.com.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
