Opinions on Montana State University

freeridinskier

freeridinskier

Member
Hey, I am a junior in high school here in Michigan, unfortunately. I am starting to look at colleges and I am considering MSU. I ski as much as possible here in the flatland and go stay with my friends in CO once a year every winter. Last year I skied backcountry (Vail Pass) in CO and that was awesome. Probably not a big deal to you guys but that made me realize I need to live in the mountains. I also like rock climbing and mountain biking. I climbed Grand Teton with one of my friends two summers ago, and that was great! Even though I would love to come out to MO to live and ski I need to get a good eduacation too. I want to know the opinions of MSU from you skiers or riders living in Bozeman area. Do they have good programs and teachers? Is it a decent college? How is the weather in that area? Good consistent snow? Sorry for the long post but this is a very important decision so any feedback is appreciated. Thanks a ton in advance!

 
Sick college(I'm headed ther), sick town, sick snow, sick stuff, don't come

impossible is really just a lack of determination

BATTLE RIDGE PRODUCTIONS

You can slide I'd Rather Fly
 
Well that sounds good. I think I might just have to come and check the school out when I get out for summer. Bring the climbing gear and bike. Actually there would probably still be good corn skiing in mid June wouldn't there?

'Tricks are for kids.'-Stephen Koch, snowboard mountaineerer (six of seven summits), in response to the question 'What kind of tricks can you do?'
 
probably no snow in June ... unless you find some lucky hike up deep in the mountains. I'm not into outdoorsy stuff like hiking and such at all (prefer cities to wilderness), but if you are into that sort of thing its good out here. Our college of engineering used to be in the top 15 ... but now its not even in the top 100. If your looking at Engineering I would NOT recommend this school, I'm actually transferring out to Minnesota to finish my degree so I can get a job (all the companies are pulling out the interest in MSU grads). It really depends on the degree your looking at ... its a decent education system all around, and as with any school they'll screw you whenever they can, but it isn't too shabby. Faculty are sometimes good, but since the university places little restrictions on them they oftne do whatever they want ... like leaving you with a sub for lecture that can't speak english, or not being in their room for office hours the day before a test or the week you need advising(there are better shools that don't allow that). There really is only one option for skiing: Bridger Bowl, pretty fun if you don't mind unpredictable conditions, excrutiatingly long lift rides, and the no inverts policy. If your a freshman it might be hard trying to find a ride up to the hill, unless you have your own vehicle.

I'm huge in Europe
 
Yeah theres snow in June just not for the week hearted

impossible is really just a lack of determination

BATTLE RIDGE PRODUCTIONS

You can slide I'd Rather Fly
 
I am as undecided as you can get for what I want to pursue in college. Do you know how other MSU programs are? With getting jobs and such? I don't really want to spend tons of out of state tuition money if my degree doesn't help with getting a career going. What is the policy for Freshmen with cars on campus? Here at my MSU (Michigan State University) freshmen can't have vehicles on campus. I am sorry for asking so many questions but it is so helpful hearing from people that live and go to school or live near MSU. Are there many blue sky days? Because gray all winter is what gets so depressing in MI. Are the dorms decent? What about other student housing? How is backcountry access around Bozeman? Lots of avalanch risk? Any more so than other places? I really appreciate answers to any of these questions. You guys are really helping me out. Why did MSU drop so much in engineering?

'Tricks are for kids.'-Stephen Koch, snowboard mountaineerer (six of seven summits), in response to the question 'What kind of tricks can you do?'
 
As far as weather, access, snow conditions- it all varies. More often than not, 'gray' days can turn completely blue, whereas blue days can turn completly gray. For the most part, you end up with fairly good conditions all around. Avalanche hazards abound (naturally) but it is possible to ski lines where the danger is minimal. There's a great avalanche center out here that works hard to keep skiers and climbers up to date with all the goings on in the backcountry, so you're set as far as that's concerned.

The dorm scene is alright (debaucherous, of course). Typical college scene I'd say. I live off campus now, and it's great. I'd say that if you're motivated to come out here and get into the mountains, you'll be set.

____________________

Drop cliffs, not bombs

Make turns, not war

College is for the dumb smart people.

 
i like bozeman. and am looking at going there perhaps, at least for 1st and 2nd year. i guess the quality of the classes depends on what you want to study.

_______________________________________________________

The Official-royal nose-picking, wannabea highschool dropout, Gary Coleman-loving, Arnold-hating, college chick-dating, Montana boonies guy

Member of the 'lets help Sam loose some weight so he can possibly get a girl' Club.

Only Westcoaster in the Eastcoast Cult

 
bridger has some good terrain but gets boring really fast, this is my first year and i am beginning to hate it, everyone that skis there are abunch of telemarkers that think they are hardcore backcountry skiers and hike the ridge and think bridger is the shit. Theres no jumps on the hole mountain, there are cliffs though. Maybe im just pissed because this is a weak snow year but i am disapointed with bridger.

 
well that all sounds good! I need to come out and check out the school, and it's surroundings. do any of you know what kind of careers one could persue with a snow science degree? It sounds like an awesome program, I just don't know how useful the degree is.

'Tricks are for kids.'-Stephen Koch, snowboard mountaineerer (six of seven summits), in response to the question 'What kind of tricks can you do?'
 
yeah the skiing is great *sticks thumbs up and winks*

_______________________________________________________

The Official-royal nose-picking, wannabea highschool dropout, Gary Coleman-loving, Arnold-hating, college chick-dating, Montana boonies guy

Member of the 'lets help Sam loose some weight so he can possibly get a girl' Club.

Only Westcoaster in the Eastcoast Cult

 
so all you guys that go to MSU sound like you don't like it terribly a lot? what about big sky, how often to you guys ski there? i mean granted bridger is closer, but isn't big sky like a really awesome resort? and i'm really considering going there next year, so what do you guys think, i'm from the tacoma, washington area, and i do like the city, is it too small of town?

-hannah
 
I know im goin there. Everybody is gonna have a different opinion depending on what they like to ski. I couldn't stand skiing at a resort without many jibs or decent jumps. Big skys website says they got a wall ride and 26 other features. Ill so drive an extra 20 minutes for that. I read somewhere that freshman can have cars and there has to be some urbans around Bozeman. What more do you need?

 
Yeah, I am a student a MSU. I am a freshman in Civil Engineering. I am from Missoula and I have a pass at Big sky here. Unless all you like to do is hike up some stupid little ridge in order to complete 400 mealsely ft. of vertical and then do it over and over, don't let anyone tell you that Bridger Bowl is sweet. It sucks. There is no park or anything there. It is super oldschool. Big Sky is amazing! Just look at the picture on their web site. The Park is super sick this year, and they have comps and stuff. Also Everyone here thinks they are engineering cowboys. Just to warn you.

 
Bridger doesn't suck. If you've got a quantitative take on skiing, then it's not for you, but the quality delivered by some of the lines off the Ridge is incomparable to any other resort in Montana. That said, it's also the closest to Bozeman, so gas isn't too much of an issue.

____________________

Drop cliffs, not bombs

Make turns, not war

College is for the dumb smart people.

 
as for the is bozeman too small question ... Yes. If you're under 21 there is absolutely nothing to do here (except the occasional house party). But don't even think about going clubbing or the like, even if you are 21 there just isn't any night life scene. Don't even get me started on the traffic here, lol. If you're from a city and enjoy living there, the convenience, amount of people, etc., then you will probably not be too thrilled. I've lived here since seventh grade and eagerly await moving back to minneapolis ... the ski season is only 5 months of the year ... wo what's the point if you're miserable the other 7. Just my 2 cents on that matter.

I'm huge in Europe
 
Take up some other sports. You could DH bike, Kayak, or backpack or anything. The biggest kayak production company out there bases out of Bozeman some of their pro boaters going to msu. You can't bitch about nothing to do unless you have lived in Ohio...

 
i go to MSU bozeman and i think its the shit. the girls are decent but all the really hot ones are already taken by the fags that dress like preps but do nothing and wear sandals all the god damned time.

Bridger...sadly, is really boring real fast. i go up and just work on my butters off of cattracks and whatnot cuz theres nothing else to do there. sometimes on powder days its really fun tough

I havtn been up to big sky alot, but it is super sick. enough said.

Bozeman is really tight, its a cool place, but you should come and judge it for yourself not based on what everyone else says

- - - - -

'snow-blades are just an excuse to be gay...if you cant ski or snowboard, thats what you do' - G*Money

-[Raw_Style_Prods]-
 
Big sky is more then 20 minutes further then bridger but it is sick. Bridger sucks but the locals think it is hot shit because they dont know better. No decent hits anywhere on the mountain. Im skiing big sky next year, bridger is a waste. Anyone getting a pass a big sky next year and want to carpool there to save gas?

 
me.

- - - - -

'snow-blades are just an excuse to be gay...if you cant ski or snowboard, thats what you do' - G*Money

-[Raw_Style_Prods]-
 
There was an article in Transworld Snowboarding about the top 10 "legit" schools near awesome riding. MSU was like number 5 or 6 I think. There was a sick photo of a boarding going huge on a nice ass backcountry hit and the caption said it was in the Bridger Backcountry. Is there a lot of that stuff going on or is it just Transworld doing a shoot. I mean do any of you guys who already go there build BC kickers and shit? Im also considering this school.

Holy shit this is fuckin sweet dude!
 
when theres powder at bridger it usually gets tracked out pretty quick. theres stuff if you get a beacon and wahtnot and hike the ridge, but no place to really build a BC booter. you could cross the boundaries, but i got my pass taken for that. you can hike up fromt he parking lot out fo bounds and build stuff but they pull your pass if you cross the boundaries and build. its kinda ghetto, but bridger does have some good cliffs and natural jumps that you gotta tuck in for and that are just fun to cruise through.

- - - - -

'snow-blades are just an excuse to be gay...if you cant ski or snowboard, thats what you do' - G*Money

-[Raw_Style_Prods]-
 
im looking forward to goin to Missoula. not exactly a skiing haven but its close enough. anyone in Missoula next year?

Afternoon Delight
 
geta pass to big sky if u come, its way better

_______________________________________

"is 'cotton field gorilla' a racial slur?"-Lateralis

high north session 3
 
will i be able to easily find a ride up there, because i won't have my car because it will probably die this summer.

-hannah
 
prob, alot of ppl ski, and there should be a bus

_______________________________________

"is 'cotton field gorilla' a racial slur?"-Lateralis

high north session 3
 
What about boating? Any boaters out there, i need someone to boat,bike, and ski with seeing as though upon arriving in bozeman. i will not know anyone inside a 1,500 mile radius. I got my roomate assignment the other day, north hedge room number 400somthin. O yea im driving out there with my jeep.

 
heeeey i won't know anyone either!

i have a boat...but it's on priest lake in idaho.

but i'll ski with you since you will have a car!

-hannah
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top