
<=”" img=”"> Photo Courtesy Of Sports Illustrated / The Dartmouth Staff Despite what the lack of snow would tell you, it’s just about time for the oldest collegiate festival in the nation, Dartmouth’s Winter Carnival. A 101 year-old tradition once deemed the “Mardi Gras of the North”, Winter Carnival has gone from being a “30-ring circus” featuring Dartmouth “imports” and frat parties even F. Scott Fitzergald couldn’t handle to a slightly less rowdy and more family-friendly extravaganza that includes community events and recent classics like the Polar Bear Plunge and the Human Dogsled Race. In its January/February 2012 issue, National Geographic Traveler magazine ranked Winter Carnival as the number six winter carnival in the world, beating out festivals like the Quebec Winter Carnival, and even the annual Snow Festival in Sapporo, Japan. The article does not indicate how NatGeo ranked the carnivals. “Launched in 1910 as a field day for students, the Dartmouth Winter Carnival has become an iconic event in New England. In 1955, Sports Illustrated described the weekend, famously used to attract women to the school before it went coed in 1972, as a “30-ring circus.” Visitors cheer on Division 1 ski competitors or watch less elite athletes—often decked out in capes,… Read more »

For Max Hammer ’12, there is nothing better than a good day of skiing. It has been a major part of his life since he could walk, and will be until it is no longer physically feasible, he said. Hammer recently shared a part of his skiing experience with the Dartmouth community at a movie screening in Dartmouth Hall. Hammer was one of a handful of freestyle skiers to star in “Wyoming Triumph,” a movie about skiing in Wyoming, where Hammer grew up. KGB Productions made the movie in partnership with Trevor Hiatt, who had the idea for the film and organized the group of skiers, including Hammer. “It was a new approach to something I already loved doing and I just got really absorbed in it,” Hammer said. Unlike most ski movies, which feature fast clips of extreme skiing, they wanted to create a more narrative film about skiing in Wyoming. Everyone involved in the film had day jobs in addition to their life as a skier, and they wanted to put together a work not about professional skiing, but about regular Wyomingites doing what they love. Over half of Wyoming’s land is public and the group capitalized… Read more »

<=”" img=”"> I’ll admit it; I’m something of a fair-weather runner. Where I come from it never dips below 28 so I can get away with ¾ length running tights and a T-shirt year-round. Something tells me that that’s just not going to cut it for the New England winter. I’m determined, however, to make the most of the great outdoors this year and avoid spending the next four months on the treadmill. So I started to make a winter running-gear wish list – but where to start? What is the best thing to wear for an early morning jog when it’s below 20? It was time to call in the experts – Dartmouth Cross Country runners Meggie Donovan ’15 and Pete Jankovsky ’12. Born and bred New Hampshire girl Meggie certainly isn’t averse to a bit of cold weather. “Most people do run outside year-round”, she told me. “You get used to it! You have to wear spandex, and fleece mittens are key”. She recommends running tights, a long-sleeved synthetic base layer, a waterproof windbreaker (I personally like [this Nike one(http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/? l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-1/pid-414700) – it looks warm and the reflective strips will be great in low light) and… Read more »
Hanover experienced a flurry of inclement weather last week, just a taste of the frigid days to come. In spite of this, members of Occupy Dartmouth, the cabal of students on campus aligned with the ongoing national Occupy Movement, emphasize that their resolve is frozen in place no matter what Mother Nature throws at them. Students involved in movement, clustering on a small plot of grass in front of Collis, are not yielding on the original motivations behind their protests. “The basic message is still the same,” reiterated Nathan Gusdorf ’12, who has been an active member of Occupy Dartmouth for eleven days and has slept in the group’s makeshift tent for each night of his involvement with the movement. When asked about the impending cold season, Gusdorf said that he remains undaunted. “We’re just going to keep insulating the tents,” he said. “People keep donating blankets.” Though their message remains unchanged, Occupy Dartmouth is hoping to continue expanding their reach on campus, particularly by working with other College organizations. The movement has gotten involved with the Multi-Faith Council, the Afro-American Society and the Dartmouth Society of Investment and Economics (DSIE), according to Gusdorf. The movement hopes to gain additional… Read more »
A white Halloween? What? Like most, you probably didn’t expect snow on the ground here in Hanover until after Thanksgiving. You also may have left your warm jacket, gloves, snow boots and other winter necessities back home. However, there are a few things you can do to bulk up your November wardrobe to weather it out until turkey day. First off, you must LAYER. The more layers the better. This is particularly important since the buildings on campus are extremely heated and you’re going to want to remove your outerwear quickly. A pair of gloves and a warm scarf will also go a long way, even if your coat is thin. A hat is also a solid way to keep your ears cozy and avoid the sting of the cold. Try looking for these accessories at the GAP, they often have good discounts and sales. When it’s snowing, the worst thing is to have wet feet. Investing in a pair of wool socks may be a game changer. Another option is to order online wool inserts for your boots. You may not have your snow boots, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be warm – waterproofing spray can work wonders… Read more »

Snow in October?!? There are a lot of reasons to be distressed about this mid-fall snow shower, but I can’t help but get excited for ski season after seeing some real snow on the ground. Ski season doesn’t begin until the end of December (earlier if you’re hardcore and are willing to scrape down lightly powdered back-country trails), but now is the time to purchase season passes. Though the winters in Hanover can be brutal, being here puts you in a prime location to access amazing skiing. Here’s a breakdown of the passes for resorts in the area: The SOS College Pass gives you access to Mt. Sunapee, Okemo and Stratton. If you purchase it by Dec. 19 it’s $315, and if you’re looking for a variety of slopes with pretty good snow-making equipment this is a solid choice. The Triple Major lets you ski Bolton Valley, Jay Peak and Mad River Glen. It’s $299 if you buy it by Nov. 7. Great for skiiers interested in more back-country style slopes, but snowboarders should take note that they won’t be able to ride the trails at Mad River Glen. A Stowe season past will cost you $399 if you buy… Read more »