New ‘W’ ski features unveiled at Brighton

The slopes of Brighton Ski Resort now feature a pop of purple with Westminster University-branded features that were unveiled at the Grill and Chill event on March 28. 

A student hits a rail at the Grill and Chill event, which was reported to have a big turnout. Photo courtesy of Hannah Bettis

The three features include a box, a pyramid rail and a waterfall rail according to Isabelle Gerry, president of the Westminster Ski and Snowboard. 

“ I brought it up to Sheila at the very beginning of the school year that it would be awesome if we could bring that back and then she just kind of took it from there and made it all happen,” Gerry said. 

Gerry said previous members of the club had spoken about past partnerships that included branded rails at Brighton but never occurred. 

“We are also in development for another Westminster-designed feature to debut next ski season,” said Sheila Yorkin, chief marketing officer at Westminster University. 

A student skis down a purple pyramid rail with Westminster’s branding. Photo courtesy of Hannah Bettis

The features were initially set up near the Milly Express lift so they were visible and accessible for the Grill and Chill event. 

“It is a sign of the growth of the ski and snowboard club since I started here,” said Bram Hikmate, a junior communication major and vice president of the Ski and Snowboard Club.

When Hikmate started at Westminster, the Ski and Snowboard Club was just getting off probation.  

Their Grill and Chill event “had the taco truck, people hiking the rails and taking big laps,” Hikmate said. “[It was]  super fun to see more faces from Westminster and meet more people. I think it helped build the community.”

A group of students pose for a group photo after using the new ski features at Brighton Ski Resort on March 25. This year was the first for the free ski team to compete. Photo courtesy of Hannah Bettis