Member of the Month

abjectwoe
May, 2025

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Canadian universitys

profile picture
funkmaster
Posts: 617 - Karma: 1,876
what canadian universitys are good for skiing? like have a decent hill within a reasonable distance and a good community of skiiers? i was looking at maybe University of north BC, another one in BC, i heard theres a good one in alberta... what else is there? where are the skiiers up here at
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,289
I think quest college is really near whistler. Dont know if its any good tho.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
ValPow
Posts: 1049 - Karma: 10
I suggest you learn to spell before you attempt going to university
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
SAronson
Posts: 514 - Karma: 62
unbc is far from any good skiing
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
7ATS9ST
Posts: 60 - Karma: 12
UofS.......
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Testicles
Posts: 1432 - Karma: 13
SFU is a little over an hour by bus to the nearest skiing, and only about 2 from Whistler. UBC is maybe 15min closer. In my opinion they're both horrible universities though, I'm going to SFU for my first year and am definitely transfering next year
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
jason...
Posts: 9006 - Karma: 780
UBC, SFU, UBC Oakanagan Campus, Quest, anything in Vancouver or Squamish. But it's all like a minimum 30 minute drive/hour long bus ride, except Capilano University. But CapU has no residences.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
ataraxia
Posts: 903 - Karma: 117
Quest University is a huge joke. However, there is some amazing skiing in the area.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
DaveM
Posts: 2936 - Karma: 1,562
I have a bunch of skiier friends that go to UBC
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
rudager
Posts: 11336 - Karma: 4,650
The Alberta (Calgary) ones would be Mount Royal, UofC and Athabasca.
They are all within no more than a 3.5 hour drive from Kicking Horse, Lake Louise, Sunshine, Norquay and COP.

Then there's also your colleges and ITs kicking around here and there.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
AhrenStein
Posts: 1941 - Karma: 177
It's just private, I don't think it's really that bad, I may be wrong though.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
johnnypsunami
Posts: 5024 - Karma: 221

UBC for sure. Can't beat Whistler.

If you consider any East Coast schools go to Carleton. They have an awesome ski-scene and Tremblant is serviced by a weekly bus from the school and its only 2-hours away.

15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,788
UBC is probably the best you'll find.

I'm at UVic though in BC on Vancouver island. We have a super tight ski crew, one of the most relaxed campuses ever, a 3:2 girl to guy ratio (I think it might be better than that but I'm not sure), but skiing isn't very accessible. 3.5ish hour drive to Mt. Washington, or a 2 hour ferry ride plus a 2 hour drive to whis. Day trips aren't the best, but if you have a place to stay near one of the hills, weekend trips are easy.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
funkmaster
Posts: 617 - Karma: 1,876
haha guess i had that coming

i was looking at SFU the other day and it seemed alright, pretty crappy community there though? I was reading that they have a trimester system which means you can not go to school in the winter and go work at a hill... which would be unreal

i've never heard of quest but i'll look that up

these ones in alberta sound like a pretty long drive... i wonder how much i could actually go because who knows how much work i will have to do on weekends (i want to be able to ski a lot in the winter, so close hills=good)

UBC might be hard to get into i was reading something and it said i needed an 88 average to get into a science program, but being in okanogan would be dope i used to live out near there when i was little

and im definately considering east coast schools too, it would be a lot cheaper to get to since i live near toronto. Anyone go to lakehead? (any other tips about east coast schools would be appreciated too)
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
AhrenStein
Posts: 1941 - Karma: 177
Don't go to lakehead unless you plan on becoming a meth head. I'm from barrie. If you wanna stay in Ontario go to Guelph and ride blue or go to uOttawa/Carleton and ride MSS/Avila/Tremblant. If you're gonna go out west you could go to University of Calgary, Only an hour from Banff, it's a pretty shitty school though. UBC is solid if you enjoy the company of a billion asain people (university of a billion chinese). It is a good school though. If you got the marks you could hit up Mcgill in Montreal, party scene is second to no other Canadian city and your under an hour away from solid parks. UBC Kelowna is easier to get into than the main campus, but it doesn't have all the same programs, and you got some decent skiing around there.

I just took two years off between HS and uni, lived in mammoth last year and living in Whistler now, then probably going to Guelph next year, that may be your best choice if your parents are down for a gap year(s).
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
UNBC- 2.5hrs from Powder King
UBC- 2hrs from whis, 30-45 to grouse,seymour, cyrpess
SFU- Almost the same deal as UBC maybe a bit closer
Capilano University- Its in North Van so umm closer.
UVic- Ummm maybe 3-4 hrs to mnt wash?
UBCO- 45 to Big white, maybe 1.5 to silverstar?
TRU- 1 hr to Sun Peaks maybe?
UofC- 30mins to COP maybe 1.5 to Sunshine,Lake Louise, Norquay. No idea how far to Nakiska.
Quest- 45 to whislter.
UofA- Rabbit, Snow valley or whatever its called near the city, and then maybe 3 hours to Marmot?


No idea what the east has.



15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
Ummm have you been to the Northern Rockies? If you have a sled it would be the best snow in Canada just no resorts. Snow at powder king is insane just limited lift access terrain.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
paige.
Posts: 1932 - Karma: 926
i'm pretty sure it's falling apart, at least it was as of like a year ago.
the enrollment was WAY less then they had hoped the first year (75 kids in a place designed for 800 and then even less kids started the second year). they were having issues with keeping staff... i can't remember whether it was the president or the dean but they went through 5 or so in the first year and a half. i think it is doing a bit better now.
also to consider is that they haven't had a full graduating class yet so it's got no reputation- a problem for finding a job/getting into grad schools.

it's a very cool concept though. a large focus on experiential learning and they bring in professors who are the top in their field for each block. also it's designed so that you take one course at once and focus on it fully for 3.5 weeks.

i haven't seen the campus since it was under construction but back then it was way up the side of a hill in the middle of the forest (not too far from the main area of squamish but definitely hard to get to without a car). I would assume they have actually paved the road to the school now and that they have some sort of transit set up.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
Ya I read an interesting article on Quest. And I really liked their approach to education. But like who can afford its tuition? I could see it going either way. I would be pissed if my school closed down halfway through my degree.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
panojibber
Posts: 3382 - Karma: 216
Alberta is amazing for close skiing. U of C campus is really close to COP which has a sick park and a decent season, sunshine is super close to calgary, and you can do weekend trips out as far as kicking horse in the winter. School's not bad either.

I'm at UBC right now, skiing is a little farther than calgary but its better. More snow and a bigger park at Whis, but the local mountains are too far for it to be worth it for me.

And whoever said UBC and SFU are horrible universities is an idiot.... UBC was ranked 30th in the world according to globecampus. Definitely a good school.

Also check out UBCO, its really close to big white which is a pretty sick mountain.

If you want anything other than liberal arts and sciences don't go to quest, as they only offer 1 degree program and the school isn't well thought of generally. If you have a good average and want to ski but can't afford university though they give full rides for anyone over 90% I believe so check that out too.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
SFU is closer to skiing. I did my first year at SFU and have since transferred to UBC I enjoy it much more here.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Contender
Posts: 3318 - Karma: 232
Ontario wise Guelph is an alright school depending on what you are doing.

However uOttawa (aka University of zero) and Carleton (Last Chance U) arent the greatest schools.  i would stay away from them.

You might want to look at schools in quebec such as Mcgill and Concordia.  Those are both great schools with a good reputation and in central quebec.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Jibbidy
Posts: 787 - Karma: 19
Don't forget, although in Richmond, BCIT which is apparently very good and underrated.  Thinking about going there for Marketing
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
isn't BCIT in Burnaby? But yes I've heard its good, more trades orientated though isn't it?
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
rudager
Posts: 11336 - Karma: 4,650
don't know about Burnaby. But it is more trade oriented. It's an institute of technology (IT).
I'm at SAIT. Southern Alberta IT. Pretty much the same course offerings. Just in Calgary
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
k-fred
Posts: 5363 - Karma: 1,598

yeah if you go to a montreal university like mcgill, there a lot of mountain around it an the skier comunity is freaking nice(thats why if3 is in montreal) =)

15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
VT_scratch
Posts: 8854 - Karma: 6,725
yeah just come to ubc vancouver
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
chicken
Posts: 6844 - Karma: 2,122
UBC, University of Calgary, and UBC Okanogan are probably your best bets for good schools with good skiing. If you go to UoC then you will definitly want a car though, Calgary is such a driving oriented city. But the mountains are close, like literally it take less time to get on a mountain here then it does to get to whistler from UBC. Plus COP is 10 minutes away for all your weekday park needs.

Also the cost of living in AB is almost cheap enough to offset gas/insurance on a shitty car
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
rudager
Posts: 11336 - Karma: 4,650
You don't need a car. I'm in Calgary. Didn't bring mine. Too much on parking. You can just be a bum, and bum rides. People are always heading out to ski on the weekends. Mostly Sunshine. Anywhere you'd want to go too in Calgary in along the C-Train Line. Plus buses.

If someone is coming from BC, and heading to a school in Alberta with a car, keep your BC insurance. Don't get me wrong, since it might be different to others, but it would be $200 extra to insure my car in AB as opposed to BC. Gas in cheaper though. Especially in Calgary.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
chicken
Posts: 6844 - Karma: 2,122
yeah not really needed if you live on/near campus I guess. Still, Calgary is built around cars. Vancouver is almost less of a hassle to get around on public transit.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Testicles
Posts: 1432 - Karma: 13
I was at UVic this weekend and I definitely saw at least 3 NSers while I was there. I talked to one dude and I saw two kids people walking, one had a super tall hoodie that looked home made and I was like damn, these kids look like skiers. I was gonna call them out but I was like nah, there's no fucking NSers here. After they walked by though I noticed the other kid was wearing a Saga tee and I was like shitttt. That's crazy that there's a bunch of skiers there, I couldn't live without being within 2 hours of a hill. UVic is probably the coolest uni I've been too by far though, if you don't mind 3-4 hour trips definitely go there for what the guy I'm quoting said.

Cool story iknow
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
chicken
Posts: 6844 - Karma: 2,122
There are more of us who don't wear tall tees to!

This year especially I have been stoked on how many kids I have seen wearing ski related clothing. Also have seen some kids displaying their skis in dorm room windows. I'm gonna have to join ski club this year.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
DHogg
Posts: 3462 - Karma: 242
Doesn't UBC have a Kelowna campus? That would be a awesome place for skiing & school.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
rudager
Posts: 11336 - Karma: 4,650
UBCofO I believe.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
dbchili
Posts: 2555 - Karma: 1,658
i went to laurier and it was fine. Chicopee is small but 15 min away so you can ride nights, and you can even bus there if you don't have a car. Blue is an hour and a bit if you do have a ride, and if you don't theres alot of people who do ride so it's probably not hard to carpool
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,169
If you are looking for east coast check out Bishops University in the Eastern townships of Quebec. You are within an hour of 8 ski hills including Jay Peak, Mt.Sutton and Mt. Orford. Apparently the school has an amazing atmosphere and people.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
AhrenStein
Posts: 1941 - Karma: 177
Guelph is a real good school if you're going to to agriculture of any kind, some sciences, and hospitality. uOttawa and Carleton are alright, middle of the road I would say, better than BrockU or Trent.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Contender
Posts: 3318 - Karma: 232
yes guelph is the place to be for those things.

but if you really match up uOttawa and Carleton against other schools in ontario, its got nothing.

McMaster (bias because i go there), U of T, Queens, Western, York, Laurier, Waterloo.

All top notch schools in their own fields.  (Life/Health sci, commerce, engineering, kin, etc.)

not trying to spark an argument here, uOttawa and carleton are good schools skiing wise but reputation wise, you'll have a hard time matching up.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
funkmaster
Posts: 617 - Karma: 1,876
this is great info thanks everyone

so im thinking guelph sounds like the best if i stay in ontario because its close to blue and its a pretty good school

sounds like there's tons of good schools out in BC, although some of them sound a bit far away from skiing, UoC sounds pretty unreal skiing wise but i've heard it doesnt have a very good rep...

i dont think i want to go to carlton or uOttawa... but that one that someone mentioned in quebec that's like an hour from like 8 different hills sounds pretty cool
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
tbayjibber
Posts: 326 - Karma: 62
I go to lakehead and trust me if you're a serious skier don't come here there's 2 hills with shitty parks and very little in the way of ski scene unless you join the freestyle team. the only advantage is that its pretty cheap and the hills are super close like sub 20mins
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Alp1ne
Posts: 717 - Karma: 203
If your looking to ski on weekdays you really can't beat UBC or SFU, theres 3 local hills open till 10 and whistler is an hour and a half away.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
hucksplat
Posts: 966 - Karma: 1,124
UBC is the best option in BC, hands down. best education, best campus, best wenches. close to whistler and cypress, seymour, and gay ass grouse. snowmobile capital of north america.

going to quest in squamish would be sick too, but i don`t know how good the education is there.
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Testicles
Posts: 1432 - Karma: 13
The Saga tee wasn't tall at all haha. Fuck I almost wanna transfer there next year, such a fun campus. But I'll probably try and go somewhere closer to some hilllssss
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
16candles
Posts: 1728 - Karma: 516

UBCO
its an hour from bigwhite and silverstar

and 2 hours away from revelstoke!

15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Cptn.J
Posts: 51 - Karma: 44
If you're looking for cheaper tuition an living expenses, University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) is a decent option. Add about 30-40min to SFU times.

Its also about 40min from Hemlock resort and only 1hr away from the most underrated and best value lift ticket mountain in North America...Mt. Baker
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
chicken
Posts: 6844 - Karma: 2,122
I just love how chill UVic is. It's like being on vacation year round. Once the rainy season comes it is pretty much ski season too.

The skiing situation isn't great though . Every time you want to go skiing it becomes a day trip, or a weekend if you want really good skiing (whistler). Also Mt.Wash is pretty hit or miss. The pow can turn to concrete pretty fast and the park is not great. The jumps are small and the snow used for the 5 of them should really be pushed into 2 big ones.

The good news is when the snow isn't looking good you can always just go surfing.

Honestly though, I did not get that many days less in than my Calgary friends and we all used to be 120+ day skiers. School is a bitch for that.

15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
skeedle
Posts: 6156 - Karma: 628
the campus might be the most beautiful one i have ever been too but the school is a joke.
you would get a degree that has 0 credentials.

although quest has opened a new way of learning, i don't really think its worth paying the $25,000 per year to go there. (although most people get scholarships)
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,788
Haha dude that was me in the saga tee. The striped blue one right? My buddy Matt (BlackieChan) was wearing the huge Sitka hoodie. Small world. Where did you see us?


15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
dbchili
Posts: 2555 - Karma: 1,658
guelph is def not the best skiing situation for ontario. There's no local hills in guelph, and blue is still about 2 hours away. The closest things are chicopee and glen, and you need a car to get to both, and theyre both about 1/2 hour to 45 min drive.

If all you want is to ride blue and louis, the best schools are honestly u of t, york and ryerson, theyre all in the city so louis is an hour away, blue an hour and a half. York also has some cooperative at the georgian campus but i've never looked into it.

And please don't go to carlton, everyone i know says it's impossible to transfer out of because nobody recognizes their credits, and its not a very highly accredited school. Uottawa is much better, but there's still improvements to be made.

If i could do it all again i would have chose mcgill, just my two cents
15 years ago
0 0
profile picture
ataraxia
Posts: 903 - Karma: 117
Queen's has some urban features in the area that look alright, but as far as being in close proximity to a ski hill it really isn't close to anything. I know i'll be missing skiing like crazy out here.
15 years ago
0 0
All times are Eastern (-4); Currently it's 9:44PM