Fifty years ago, students at the University of Denver launched Winter Carnival, one of the school’s most enduring traditions.
“So many people come to DU and love DU because of our access to the mountains,” says Ally Veneris, co-director of the Traditions Committee for DU Programming Board “Why not go with all of your fellow DU students to celebrate the mountains and being part of a great community of Pioneers?”
DU students will celebrate the 50th annual Winter Carnival with a weeklong series of events culminating in an on-mountain celebration at Winter Park Resort in Winter Park, Colo.
Veneris hopes 500 students will attend the event and is encouraged by registration numbers so far.
“The goal of the event is to get people up in the mountains to have fun and celebrate our community,” she says.
The carnival kicks off Jan. 30 in Denver with the Ruby Hill Project — Rail Jam. Hosted in conjunction with Winter Park Resort and Denver Parks and Recreation, the open-class ski and snowboarding exhibition and competition is open to the first 120 amateur or professional competitors. Registration begins at 1:30 p.m. at Ruby Hill Park. Buses will be available to take students from campus to the event. More information and a downloadable registration form are available at rlyrd.com/ruby_hill_project.html.
On-campus events include “Grill-N-Chill” from noon – 2 p.m. Feb. 1 on the Driscoll Lawn. The DU Grilling Society will provide food.
On-mountain activities begin Feb. 6 at Winter Park. Weekend activities include a bonfire and ice-skating event at the village on Friday evening, skiing and snowboarding at reduced rates, tubing and a Saturday night concert featuring DJ Milkman.
Bus transportation to and from the resort is available for $15. Special lodging rates are available for DU Winter Carnival attendees at the Vintage Hotel in Winter Park and the Zephyr Mountain Lodge or Frasers Crossing/Founders Pointe for graduate students, faculty, staff and guests.
Registration forms and additional information is available at through the DU Student Life Web site. The registration deadline is Jan. 24.