Middlebury College students will enjoy skiing free of charge at Rikert Nordic Center and the Snow Bowl for the remainder of the season, including equipment rentals and lessons. The College announced the plan on March 4, along with several other measures to give students more access to outdoor recreation while minimizing the potential spread of COVID-19 on campus and in the community.

Students must make reservations through the ski areas’ websites (detailed reservation and equipment instructions are below) and must follow all College and state guidelines for COVID-19 safety, including wearing masks, physical distancing, and limiting gathering sizes.

Public transportation to the ski areas is available through the Snow Bowl Shuttle run by the Tri Valley Transit, which stops on campus. Students should review COVID-19 safety guidelines on the TVT website. Students who wish to travel in their own vehicles must follow the guidelines for Traveling Safely with Others.

Safety Protocols

  • Reservations are required (see instructions Below).
  • Masks are mandatory at all times.
  • Physical distancing is required.
  • Chair lifts are loaded as single chairs unless with family or with travel companions.
  • No alcohol is allowed on Snow Bowl property.
  • Be especially mindful to not congregate at lift lines or offloads.
  • The base lodges are open for bathrooms, grab-and-go snacks, rentals, and retail only.
  • Bring plenty of warm layers––there is no public warming space.
  • Please make sure to have a partner if you ski or ride off maintained trails. 
  • Be COVID-19-conscious at all times. The Snow Bowl and Rikert are public venues.
  • Failure to follow COVID-19 mandates and protocols will result in loss of lift tickets and privileges to visit Snow Bowl.

Reservation Instructions

Rikert Nordic Center

  • Visit the Rikert Nordic Center | 2020-21 Season Passholder Daily Reservation website.
  • On the calendar, select the date you wish to arrive then click “Buy Tickets.”
  • In the right hand column, change the first item, “adult,” from 1 to 0.
  • Scroll down to “Middlebury College Student” and select 1. (Please don’t register as anything other than as a Middlebury College Student.
  • Click “Continue.”
  • Enter your name and email address, then click “Save Your Information.”
  • When asked for your season pass number, enter “MC STUDENT.”
  • On the final screen, click “SUBMIT ORDER.” Your reservation isn’t complete until you click SUBMIT and receive an email confirmation.

For multiple person reservations, all email addresses are required. The remaining persons in party may be added to the reservation after the primary person’s information is complete.

Snow Bowl

The following are step-by-step instructions for Middlebury students to access the Snow Bowl for the month of March:

  • Visit the Middlebury Snow Bowl | 2020-21 Season Passholder Daily Reservation page.
  • Select the date you wish to arrive then click “Buy Tickets.”
  • In the right hand column, change the first item, “adult,” from 1 to 0.
  • Scroll down to “Middlebury College Student” and select 1. (Please don’t register as anything other than as a Middlebury College Student.)
  • Click “Continue.”
  • Enter your name and email address, then click “Save Your Information.”
  • When asked for your season pass number, enter “MC STUDENT.”
  • On the final screen, click “SUBMIT ORDER.” Your reservation isn’t complete until you click SUBMIT and receive an email confirmation.

For multiple-person reservations, the person making the reservation will be required to enter all email addresses. Information about the remaining persons in party may be added to the reservation after the primary person’s information is complete.

Equipment Rentals (No Charge)

Rikert

  • Rentals are complimentary and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Snow Bowl

  • Complimentary rentals will be available on a reservation basis. Numbers are limited, so please be mindful that other students will also be in need of equipment. Please only reserve equipment if you are 100 percent sure you will be using it.
  • Reservations must be made through the Snow Bowl website.
  • A valid Middlebury College Student ID will be required as collateral when you come to pick up your rentals.
  • Please note that the ski shop has a capacity limit of two people at a time. If there is a line, please take a number and wait your turn to pick up your reservation. 

Snow School

Lessons will be available at both ski areas. Please click Rikert or Snow Bowl to learn more.