The thought of spending the winters in Hanover, New Hampshire—home to Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business—might send shivers down your spine. But those who hang tough and embrace the cold can discover some rewarding winter experiences, such as ice hockey and downhill skiing. Both beginners and seasoned veterans participate each year in ice hockey games organized by Tuck hockey leagues. Never played? Not to worry—teams are organized by skill level, so you can find a team of hockey players who will not care if you trip over the blueline (that is ice hockey lingo—you will learn). And those who are not quite ready to play hockey can always get in the game by cheering on their classmates!
Meanwhile, the Ski and Snowboard Club takes advantage of the Dartmouth Skiway in Lyme, New Hampshire, and organizes trips beyond campus as well. The club’s major event is the weekend-long Tuck Winter Carnival, which draws more than 650 people from approximately 15 business schools. In 2020, multiple student teams participated in such events as downhill ski races, a 1980s fashion show, and a DJ dance party. All events at the Winter Carnival combine socializing with raising money for a selected nonprofit organization. At Tuck, you just might be too busy working up a sweat to fret about the cold.
Evanston, Illinois—home to Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management—might not immediately come to mind as a popular destination for skiers. But although Kellogg students might not go skiing in Evanston proper, more than 800 first and second years and their significant others participate in the school’s annual ski trip, which, according to students we interviewed, “remains the biggest of its kind. Like everything else at Kellogg, the trip is student run … from logistics to marketing to sponsorship. … First- and second-year students work together to make it an unforgettable weeklong adventure.” Participating students have traveled to such locations as Steamboat Resort and Telluride, in Colorado, where they stayed in mountainside condos. Those who wish to ski can avail themselves of three-, four-, or even five-day passes, while nonskiers can enjoy such activities as cooking classes, snowshoe lessons, and spa treatments (at reduced prices). The evenings feature theme parties, such as an annual 1980s party. The 2019 event took place in December in Whistler, Canada.
In a January 2018 Poets&Quants article, a second year described his experience on a past Kellogg ski trip: “While we spent our days bungee jumping, dog-sledding, and snowboarding, we also deepened our relationships with other members of the Kellogg community.” A first year with whom we spoke expressed how impressed she was with Kellogg’s ski club for “planning the best week of business school for [close to 1,000] people!” She added that the ski trip is simply not to be missed: “It’s all of your closest friends, taking over a ski town for one full week with amazing parties and social activities—many of which are sponsored!”
For a thorough exploration of what Dartmouth Tuck, Northwestern Kellogg, and 15 other top business schools have to offer, check out our free mbaMission Insider’s Guides.