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Save big on skiing and participate in one of 91��ɫ’s favorite traditions without breaking the bank.

Winter Carnival, one of 91��ɫ’s most beloved traditions, is back for its 65th year, and students have plenty of ways to join the fun—both on campus and in the mountains—while staying within their budgets. Organized by the�� (91��ɫPB), this year’s festivities run Feb. 16-22.��

Students can enjoy an entire week of free on-campus events, from�� on Monday, where students can get their skis waxed for free while enjoying a cup of hot chocolate, to the student-favorite and Paint on Saturday. See the full schedule��.

Winter Carnival also gives students a once-a-year opportunity to go up to the popular Winter Park Resort for a community-oriented weekend of skiing, tubing, and other winter adventures. Going to the mountains isn’t cheap, but 91��ɫPB is continuing its tradition of offering students discounted lift and tubing tickets and more to ensure everybody who wants to can go.

The basics: Transportation and lodging

Getting up to Winter Park for all of the fun snow-filled activities is the first hurdle, especially for students who don’t have a car on campus. But 91��ɫPB has you covered with an affordable and reliable transportation option.��

Riley McCarthy, 91��ɫPB’s traditions co-chair and a second-year majoring in psychology and religious studies, says, “We’re happy to offer $15 bus tickets to take students to and from the mountain each day of Winter Carnival weekend and eliminate worries about transportation.”��

Other transportation options include Colorado’s Bustang bus service and Amtrak. Bustang has a quick and direct way to Winter Park via the Craig-Denver route, starting at just $34 per ticket when . To get to the pick-up point for Bustang, students can use their MyRTD pass to take the light rail E-line from the 91��ɫ station to Union Station. Amtrak offers departures from Union Station, too, starting at just $9 each way. Learn more about Amtrak departures, arrivals, and policies. Get more information about all the transportation options on��.

Securing lodging is the next step. Bright Mleta, program coordinator of student engagement and a 91��ɫPB advisor, lays out an easy solution. “We are continuing our partnership with Vintage Hotel this year, and students will get discounted rates for the Winter Carnival weekend,” he says. Prices and availability of rooms vary; check out the special link��

Save on the ski-tivities and rental gear

Thanks to 91��ɫPB’s collaboration with Winter Park Resort, skiing, snowboarding, and tubing are much cheaper than the usual prices. As it has in past years, 91��ɫPB is offering discounted lift tickets costing $50 and tubing tickets for a mere $15.��

Without the 91��ɫ discount, lift tickets typically cost around ���Ի��� run $30-$50, depending on the time of purchase. Purchase 91��ɫ-discounted tickets and get more details��

On top of that, 91��ɫPB has teamed up with Nathan Page, assistant director of 91��ɫ Outdoors, to help students save on ski rentals. As Mleta explains, “The work with KMC has allowed [91��ɫPB] to prioritize using the resources we already have to make these things more affordable for students and expand our partnerships with campus organizations.”

Students can rent their skis for about $25 from the on the corner of Asbury Avenue and University Boulevard; rentals are available Thursday-Sunday, 3-7 p.m. If students have ski rental questions, they can email��Nathan.Page@du.edu.��

An extra boost��

Once transportation, lodging, and ski rentals are covered, there still might be some additional costs that students can’t afford comfortably. 91��ɫPB is aware of this and is working with the Financial Aid Office to provide scholarships to sponsor student trips. The application deadline is today, Feb. 16, at 11:55 p.m.; and is available

McCarthy is proud of the ongoing work that 91��ɫPB has done to make Winter Carnival as affordable as possible. The experience is quintessential to 91��ɫ, she says. “We want to encourage students to get outdoors, enjoy the Colorado mountains, and make connections with classmates.”

Aimee Harling, marketing coordinator for 91��ɫPB and a third-year studying business management, agrees. “By having more accessible options for the off-campus portion of Winter Carnival, we are allowing students to feel a part of something bigger than 'just another campus event,’” she says. “Winter Carnival is often the only time that some 91��ɫ students get to experience being in the mountains in Colorado, so it’s great that we get to help make that become a reality.”

For more information, check out 91��ɫPB’s “How to Winter Carnival”�� and check your email for a special 91��ɫPB edition Winter Carnival Newsletter. For specific questions, reach out to��91��ɫPBTraditions@du.edu. See you out there!