Montpelier, Vt. – Getting a ‘higher education’ in Vermont offers not only a meaningful education at the state’s institutions of higher learning, but also expanding students’ horizons in the mountains of the state, ripe with ski and ride opportunities. The Consortium of Vermont Colleges (CVC) and Ski Vermont recognize the value of this whole learning experience and aim to enrich students’ experiences with opportunities to ski and ride in Vermont, student budgets in mind.

Last season, Vermont saw 4.3 million skier visits and 40,383 students enrolled at colleges and universities statewide.

“CVC and Ski Vermont share a passion for providing high quality, transformative experiences, whether on campus or in Vermont’s mountains, said Nate Ball from Vermont Technical College and chairman of the consortium’s promotions committee.

“Vermont’s colleges and mountains make a positive and a lasting impression in the minds and hearts of our students and visitors.”

Student Pass offers include:

The Beast Encourages Higher Altitude Learning
Killington appreciates that scholars put down the books once in a while (every powder day) to study the positive psychological impacts of carving, jibbing, bumping and grinding. To celebrate the Northeast’s largest Institute of Higher Outdoor Education for the upcoming season, here’s a sweet deal. How does $329 sound to ski/ride Killington all season long? Read it, learn it, know it…find out more and purchase your 2011-12 College Season Pass today; this is the Beast’s best college offer and it will expire. www.killington.com/winter/plan/tickets_and_cards/college_pass.

Thinking about how you can earn some extra money this fall while at school? Killington is hiring Campus Reps to sell passes, promote the Beast and make some cash.

Magic Mountain College Pass
For those seeking a place to call home that’s a short drive from New York and Mass. and has challenging, diverse terrain, Magic Mountain Ski Area in southern Vermont is an A+. Full time college students can ski or ride all season for $149 with no restrictions. For more information, check out www.magicmtn.com/seasonpass.php.

Mount Snow Higher Education Pass
Five mountains, zero blackout dates – one season pass. Ski and ride every day of the season at Mount Snow in Vermont and have access to four affiliated eastern ski areas for the early season price of $319. There’s no need to go it alone because every Higher Education Pass comes loaded with two, $40 midweek “Buddy Tickets” so pass holder’s friends can come along to Mount Snow for cheap.  Insider tip: Check out www.mountsnow.com to find out how to earn a free season pass as a college representative.

Smugglers' Notch Resort's College Pass
Smugglers' Notch Resort's College Pass is $279 when purchased by Halloween and $399 when purchased after that. The pass gives full time college students access to 78 trails on three mountains and four terrain parks. College passholders can also take advantage of a variety of discounts, such as 50 percent off equipment rentals and group lessons, 20 percent off purchases at 3 Mountain Outfitters and 3 Mountain Equipment, and 20 percent off tuning at 3 Mountain Equipment. For more information, visit www.smuggs.com/skiride.

Sugarbush Resort College Pass
Sugarbush rocks it for the college crowd in 2011-12 with a super affordable college student season pass priced at $319. That price is good until November 1, 2011, giving students enough time to scrape up cash from relatives or collect enough returnable bottles. The college pass gives unlimited skiing and riding at Lincoln Peak and Mt. Ellen. 2600’ of vertical, 111 trails, and 20 wooded areas. Unlimited fun. Includes all resort and valley discounts. For more details, visit: www.sugarbush.com/vermont-skiing-snowboarding/season-passes.

The Triple Major: Bolton Valley Resort, Jay Peak Resort and Mad River Glen
The Triple Major season pass includes unlimited access with no blackout dates all season long to Bolton Valley, Jay Peak and Mad River Glen. The pass is for full time college students and is available at www.triplemajor.com.

These resorts are currently running a summer special and students may purchase the Triple Major at last year’s price of $289. This price will increase after September 5th.

• Bolton Valley is just 30 minutes from Burlington, Vt. and offers the most extensive night skiing in Vermont.
• Jay Peak averages 355 inches of snow annually, features 2000 feet of vertical and a 60 passenger tram.
• Mad River Glen is just 45 minutes from Burlington and features 2000 feet of vertical which includes its legendary expert terrain.

For college pass updates, visit the Press Room of skivermont.com.