***WAIT DON'T DELETE ME YET***


Still here? Cool. Yes this is yet another campus blitz, and a long one at that, but it's really meant more to serve as a reference for you as a winter-term Dartmouth student. Recommendation: and take what's relevant.


Ok Dartmouth, so it’s winter and chances are you’re in Hanover, New Hampshire right now. It’s cold, it’s really snowy, and it gets dark pretty early… kind of a bummer, yeah? We know and you know it definitely can be.


BUT, here’s the thing: the whole Upper Valley area is one big winter playground right now. Seriously. Well-groomed trails, glassed-over ponds, awesome slopes - it’s all out there and within reach! All you have to do is to want to go get out into it. Corny? For sure. True? Definitely.


If you’re looking for ways to experience the best that a northern New England winter has to offer, even and especially if you've never tried some of these activities, then read on...



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Want to go climbing...

  *   ...on pillars of ice? Yeah, seriously, that's a thing. The Dartmouth Mountaineering Club (DMC) is running ice-climbing trips intermittently this term! To express interest and for more info, blitz: <[log in to unmask]>

  *   ...without even leaving campus? Work out with friends, get fit, AND have fun? Then come to the Dartmouth Climbing Gym! ALL are welcome, from absolute beginners to regular climbers. The gym is located in the basement of the Maxwell River Apartment cluster, right behind Thayer. Look for signs for "Jonathan Belden Daniels Climbing Gym" and "Max Kade German Center” - they're next door to each other.
     *   Hours: Sunday-Thursday 5 to 11 PM, Friday and Saturday 5 to 8 PM
     *   Cost: $5 for student day pass, $35 for student term pass (a great deal!).
     *   For more info, blitz: <[log in to unmask]>

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Want to go skiing...

  *   ...downhill and fast? Get out there and lay down some crisp arcs? Interested in relieving stress and punching down plastic gates? Come join the Alpine Ski Clubfor practice and some fun racing!
     *   When: practice is every Tuesday and Thursday at the Skiway.
     *   For more info, blitz: <[log in to unmask]>

  *   ...across a perfect snowscape? The brand-new Nordic Ski Club exists to make Nordic skiing affordable, convenient and fun. The club holds regular low-key practices at Oak Hill XC Ski Center (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays after 2s until 5 PM). They also organize fun ski outings to other New England ski areas, play capture the flag on skis, and represent Dartmouth at local races on weekends. Whether you’re from Florida and never cross-country skied before or are itching to relive your glory days from high school ski racing, the DOC Nordic Ski Club is for you!
     *   Cost: free equipment rentals and $5/3 daily ski passes for DOC members.
     *   For more info, blitz: <[log in to unmask]>

  *   ...in the backcountry? The Winter Sports Club is running backcountry skiing trips intermittently this term all over the Upper Valley!
     *   For more info, blitz: <[log in to unmask]>


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Want to go hiking or snowshoeing...

  *   ...with a community of like-minded explorers? This winter, Cabin and Trail is running a whole variety of trips for all sorts of difficulty and experience levels. There will be plenty of easy day hikes going out like Gile Mountain and Cardigan, and also several winter mountaineering trips up in the Presidential Range. Watch out for the"This Week in Cabin and Trail" campus blitz to sign up.
     *   Cost: varies, low.
     *   For more info, blitz: <[log in to unmask]>


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Or maybe you just want to get out there with some friends or on your own! You could...

  *   ...hop on a free bus to our very own Dartmouth Skiway.
     *   Click here<http://www.dartmouth.edu/~skiway/docs/2015busschedule.pdf> for the 15W Campus-to-Skiway bus schedule.
     *   Ski and snowboard rentals are available on-site!

  *   ...walk the short walk out to the DOC House on Occum Pond to go ice-skating, XC skiing on the golf course, or just to enjoy an awesome winter scene.
     *   Click here<http://outdoors.dartmouth.edu/services/xc_ski_center.html> for info about rentals.
     *   For more info, blitz: <[log in to unmask]>

  *   ...head out to Oak Hill (~5 miles north of campus) to XC ski at Dartmouth's own XC Ski Center! Rentals available.
     *   ​Click here<http://outdoors.dartmouth.edu/services/xc_ski_center.html> (same link as for Occum) for info about rentals and trail conditions.
     *   For more info, blitz: <[log in to unmask]>

  *   ...or, last but not least, rent a cabin with some friends for a night - very low probability of not having fun, very high probability of great memories. There are eight different DOC cabins that run geographically from Hanover up to the White Mountains.
     *   ​Click here<http://outdoors.dartmouth.edu/services/cabins/> for info re availability and rates. Reservations are made in person in Robinson Hall or over the phone.


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Financial aid is available for any DOC-related activity; details and sign-ups here<http://outdoors-dev.dartmouth.edu/opo/finaid.html>.


Know also that the Dartmouth Outing Club is always​ psyched for new people wanting to get involved, at whatever level, with whatever amount of outdoor experience you happen to have.


The big idea, whether or not you decide to do it through the DOC, is just to get out and take in the uniqueness of this part of the world! You probably won't be in Hanover forever, and we really believe you'll have a healthier, more fun, more successful Dartmouth for making the most of what this place has to offer.


Feel free to blitz this account (or <[log in to unmask]>) with any questions.


YITOOD (Yours-In-The-Out-Of-Doors),


The DOC