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.”

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. The central Vermont resort offers a $329 season pass to college students. Those looking to eat more than ramen noodles this winter should consider becoming a campus rep for Killington to sell passes, promote the resort and make some cash.

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.

Mount Snow is also convenient to Massachusetts and their college season pass features five mountains and zero blackout dates. Ski and ride every day of the season at Mount Snow in Vermont as well as Attitash, Crotched Mountain and Wildcat in New Hampshire, plus Jack Frost/Big Boulder in Pennsylvania, 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.  Mount Snow college representatives earn a free season pass.

Smugglers’ Notch Resort’s College Pass costs $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.

Sugarbush rocks it for the college crowd in 2011-12 with a 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 feet of vertical, 111 trails, and 20 wooded areas.

The Triple Major season pass includes unlimited access with no blackout dates all season long to Bolton Valley, Jay Peak and Mad River Glen. 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.