Winter at Westminster Program Director, Liz Rogers, recently had to opportunity to talk to Ross about his experience at Westminster and his clothing line. Here are excerpts from their conversation:

Liz: What was your favorite aspect of the W@W program? Did you have a favorite activity?

Ross: Honestly I just loved having access to the mountains and being around people who has the same passions as me. I loved trying split boarding. I never thought I would ever do that. Just having access to stuff you normally wouldn’t do like snowmobiling and learning about avalanche safety. It seems so out of reach but it’s just right there.

Liz: What would you tell someone considering attending the program?

Ross: Don’t forget your snowboard! No, it’s definitely an experience that people might overlook because it’s advertised as an alternative study abroad program in Utah. People might not realize how awesome it is. Getting to take part in the winter activities, just embrace it get the most out of it.

Liz:  Do you feel that attending the W@W program help you get where you are today?

Ross: It did in the sense that I’ve been able to create long lasting relationships. I’m still close friends with a lot of the people I met through Winter at Westminster. Also, it helped with contacts and just spreading the love. Somebody knows somebody else and it grows from there.

I started hitting full stride with the Chazer clothing when I was out there. I started it as a junior in high school but the Winter at Westminster program gave me contacts with real depth. I worked with local shops and talked to buyers and what they look for in purchasing a line. I got to see the back end and curtail my design based on buyers’ feedback.

Liz:  Tell me a little more about your business and how you got started.

Ross: I was actually sponsored when I turned 15 for snowboarding. I had a snowboard and goggle sponsorship but not clothes. I decided to make my own stuff. I started out with a logo. I got 25 t-shirts made and then printed more. From that point on I thought I would stick with it – designing and printing and trying to get as much exposure as I can. I am getting national distribution next spring which is really exciting.

If all your application materials are postmarked by October 10, 2011, you’re accepted into the program, and your program deposit is received by October 24, 2011 you’ll have your choice of some great gear:

• Backcountry beacon – a must for heading out into the backcountry
• Backcountry pack – you’ll need a bomber pack for all your gear
• Flip video camera – catch air and catch it on video

Don’t miss out on this offer or this incredible program and send in your application today or apply online.

Canyons

Canyons, the official resort of the Winter at Westminster program, is the single largest ski and snowboard resort in Utah and one of the five largest in the U.S.

Mountain Stats:

Average Snowfall: 355”
Base Elevation: 6,800 ft
Summit Elevation: 9,990 ft
Vertical Drop: 3,190 ft
Total Mountain Peaks: 9

Bowls: 5

Natural Halfpipes: 6

Terrain Parks: 1

Lifts: 19

Trails: 182
Total Skiable Acres: 4,000

www.thecanyons.com/

Snowbird

Snowbird is in the heart of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Little Cottonwood Canyon, one mile down from Alta.  Snowbird is legendary for offering Utah’s longest ski and snowboard season – mid-November through May (Last season they were open through July 4^th!)

Mountain Stats:

Average Snowfall: 500” (783” last winter)
Base Elevation: 7,760 ft
Summit Elevation: 11,000 ft
Vertical Drop: 3,240 ft
Number of Runs: 85

Lifts:  1 Tram, 4 Quads, 6 doubles

Terrain Parks: 1
Total Skiable Acres: 2,500 acres

www.snowbird.com

Alta

Alta is the ultimate resorts for skiers (sorry, no snowboarding allowed). Deep powder, a variety of terrain, and spectacular scenery make Alta world-renowned destination.

Mountain Stats:

Average Snowfall: 560”
Base Elevation: 8,530 ft
Summit Elevation: 10,550 ft
Vertical Drop: 2,020 ft
Number of Runs: 116+

Lifts:  11
Total Skiable Acres: 2,200 acres

www.alta.com

All Winter at Westminster students will receive one season pass to their choice of either Canyons, Snowbird, or Alta. They will also have access to several of Utah’s other 11 amazing resorts, including Snowbasin, Brighton, and Solitude.

Photo credit: Canyons Resort

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Here’s what they had to say:

“I loved the Yurt trip.  I think it’s a great workout and definitely worth the couple untouched runs you get as a result of it.  The food was fantastic.  The solitude was really fun.  Sleeping outside in the snow was a first for me.”

- Luke Hostetter

Messiah College

Major: Mechanical Engineering; Minor: Adventure Education

“I really liked the snowmobiling activity. It was super fun to ride around. I wish we could have been out there longer!”

- Joe Rickabaugh

Minnesota State University

Major: Information Systems; Minor: Computer Science

“Bobsledding was my favorite activity. Bobsledding was something that I had always wanted to experience, and I would say that it lived up to every expectation that I had.”

- Justin Aaron

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Major: Marketing

“The Yurt Trip was my favorite because it gave us all a chance to step away from reality and really get to know everyone better.  I’ve never camped in the winter before and it was really amazing to get that experience.”

- Haley White

Roger Williams University

Major: Architecture; Minor: Photography

Vancouver 2010

At Westminster College, the Winter Olympics are more than just an evening’s TV entertainment. In 2010, 14 Westminster students competed in Vancouver in events like freestyle aerials, skeleton, and cross-country skiing. Student, Bryon Wilson took the bronze in freestyle moguls. Other notable Westminster students include Lacy Snchnoor (Freestyle Skiing, Aerials) and Ryan St. Onge (Freestyle Skiing, Aerials). Click here to hear more about Westminster and the 2010 games from NPR.

Looking forward to Sochi 2014

On April 6th, 2011 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that for the first time in Olympic Winter Games history, women will participate in ski jumping, beginning in Sochi, Russia in 2014. Previously, ski jumping and Nordic combined were the only disciplines in the Olympic Winter Games that did not allow women to participate. Westminster has five students on the U.S. Women’s Ski Jumping team:

Nita Englund -Freshman
Avery Ardovino – Sophomore
Abby Hughes – Sophomore
Jessica Jerome – Junior
Alissa Johnson – Junior

“It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. To have it accepted feels amazing,” said Jessica Jerome, who finished sixth overall last season, about the IOC decision. “This decision gives our sport more validity in the sense that it can only keep growing from here.”

Congratulations ladies. See you in Sochi!

2011 Westminster Yurt Trip from Tom Bear on Vimeo.

Here’s what they had to say:

“Quite possibly the greatest thing I’ve ever done!  I think more people should participate in this program.  So many of the things I did I thought I’d never get the opportunity to do and I am so glad I did.”

- Haley White

Roger Williams University

Major: Architecture; Minor: Photography

“It is so much fun! You get to do all the things you have ever wanted to do as far as winter activities go: Bobsled, skiing at all of Utah’s resorts and other outdoor recreation activities.”

- Joe Rickabaugh

Minnesota State University

Major: Information Systems; Minor: Computer Science

“Winter at Westminster is a great program. If you want to be able to snowboard up to 5 days a week and gain experience in the backcountry, and do other fun outdoor activities too, then this program is perfect for you.”

- Justin Aaron

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Major: Marketing

“It’s almost like the longest, best, coolest vacation of your life.  The classes are fun, and the people and culture are great.  The skiing is phenomenal!  The climbing is just as fun.  There is plenty to do.  It is one of the greatest experiences of my life!”

- Luke Hostetter

Messiah College

Major: Mechanical Engineering; Minor: Adventure Education

Every year Winter at Westminster students are invited to create a video chronicling their experience in the program and compete for fabulous prizes. The students, who are split into teams of 2 to 4, are loaned video cameras to document their activities and answer the question “How do you Winter at Westminster?” on video.

Each team is partnered with a video apprentice from Spy Hop Productions who mentors them through the post-production process, including digital video editing and music integration. The finished videos are screened at the end of the semester at the awards ceremony and party. This year Zack Bryant and Justin Aaron of Team One and a Half Men swept the awards – they took home every prize! Check out their video:

To see other 2011 video contest entries visit our YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/user/winteratwestminster

The 4^th was the closing day of Snowbird’s longest ski season – 202 days.
 

 
Read more and see more photos and video from ABC4 or Utahoutside.com.
 

Sponsored by the Associated Students of Westminster College (ASWC) and Galvanic Designs, the inaugural Rail Jam featured Westminster skiers and snowboarders who competed for prizes in men’s and women’s categories. Contestants were judged on tricks and how well they hit the rail.

“We  hosted this first-ever Rail Jam to capitalize on our students’ passion skiing and snowboarding,” explained Alyson Vander Steen, ASWC activities coordinator. “We have some amazing talent at Westminster and our students really don’t get to showcase on campus.”

Check out it out on YouTube:

And see more on Facebook:

Next year’s Rail Jam is already schedule for January 6th!