Clarke’s annual Snowboard and Skiing night at Sundown Mountain last Friday, January 31, 2025, turned out to be a huge success! This year’s event looked different for Clarke students, setting a record of students in attendance with eagerness to experience winter sports in a fun, social setting! This yearly experience brings entertainment and solidarity together, with beginning snowboarders and skiers, and seasoned riders showing off their skills in the snow. CAB hosted the event, providing snacks and drinks for students as well. Because of the high success of the event in the last few years, Clarke hopes to follow the tradition once a year for many years to come.
The energy from Clarke students on the slopes was contagious and alluring. With the most attendees from the Clarke community, the environment sprawled with high spirits, smiles, and laughter. Participants had the opportunity to take chances down different levels of hills to test their courage and skills. The experience of riding at Sundown can be described as fun, exciting, and gratifying but comes with a lot of falling. However, the falls showed determined individuals who were ready to get back up and take upon the challenge again! The substantial number of students who engaged, created an environment of encouragement, and genuine love and enjoyment. The best part of it all was that all grade levels showed up to show out. The students present consisted of all years of undergrad and even grad students! Sundown has been a fortunate and victorious opportunity for the Clarke community to have a lively experience in a social setting.
The Sundown Mountain Resort is located outside of Dubuque, Iowa, and is a prime spot for Midwest skiers and Snowboarders. The resort holds 85 acres, 21 scenic trails, and provides man-made snow for participants. Sundown is one of the only Midwest resorts to win the NSAA Award of Excellence. They cater to skiers and snowboarders of all levels and ages and offer diverse terrain options. Typically, a normal one-day lift pass ranges from $45-$68 a ticket depending on the day.
On a regular day at Sundown, participants from ages 12 and up pay $104 for a ski rental and lift pass or $107 for a snowboard rental and lift pass. Youth ages from 6 to 11 pay $84 or $87 for a ski or snowboard pass. Not only that but Sundown experts also offer group or private lessons for purchase. Lessons are one hour long, available to ages 9 and up, and sell for $30 in a group setting or $75 for an individual private lesson. Fortunately for Clarke students, the first 60 students received a free lift pass and only spent $13 for skis or $18 for snowboarding! Any Clarke guest lift passes were $27. Students had the luxury of discounted tickets and spent hours on the slopes, with the event lasting from 4 pm to 12 am.
Overall, the annual Skiing and Snowboarding night at Sundown Resort was the perfect way to bring the college community together for some outdoor fun. It was a resounding success, leaving students with lasting memories of an unforgettable evening on the Midwest snow. Although the main purpose of attending was to have an entertaining experience and encounter a thrilling winter sport, there was a sense of unity and excitement that were a bigger part of the adventure. With much enthusiasm and positivity generated, it’s coherent that this tradition will continue every year, bringing students and communities together and offering an exciting way to embrace the season.
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