What, when, and where?
The ski club hosts two major trips every year to Mammoth Mountain, the second of which is known as Syllabus Daze. As indicated by its name, Syllabus Daze is hosted over the weekend following the first week of spring semester classes (Friday-Sunday). The trip is hosted at the Convict Lake Resort, which is located 15 minutes south of Mammoth just off of Route 395.
How do I sign up?
TBD
What are the housing options and how much do they cost?
The Ski Club hosts Syllabus Daze at the Convict Lake Resort, which has 28 cabins and three lodges. In previous years, we have rented out a number of cabins and lodges from the resort and allocated students to their accommodation of choice to the best of our ability. To accommodate the sheer number of students that attend Syllabus Daze, we are now renting out the entire resort for the weekend.
Housing in the large lodges is the cheapest option, as we cannot guarantee that you will be in the same lodge as your friends, they offer minimal personal space, and serve as very poor study environments. To stay in one of the lodges, you can select this option in the sign-up form, and Venmo @ Ski-LINES the cost of your stay for the weekend (which will be detailed in the sign-up form). In the past, the cost of a full weekend stay has been $50, although we are hoping to bring down this cost in upcoming trips. Given the number of students that attend Reading Daze, we typically offer a lower price if you are comfortable not sleeping in a bed.
Smaller cabins are a great option if you want more privacy, a better study environment, or want to guarantee a stay with your friend group or significant other. The cabins range in size from sleeping two people – sleeping 11. Details about the specific cabins and their capacity can be found on convictlake.com. To reserve one of these cabins for Reading Daze, specify your preferred cabin(s) in the sign-up form, making sure to have communicated with all of the people you intend to share this cabin with. Upon confirmation with the Ski Club via email that your preferred cabin is available, have one member of your party Venmo the cost of the cabin to @ Ski-LINES. The Ski Club will publish information on the cost of reserving each cabin in advance of trip sign-ups.
How do I get there?
When you fill out the trip sign-up form, you will indicate either your transportation access or needs, as well as the time at which you are interested in driving to the mountain. The ratio of seats available in cars to students that need a ride has always worked out, so do not feel like you should refrain from joining the trip because you will not be able to get to the mountain. Rides to the mountain take a long time to coordinate, so you can expect to receive an email with your carpool details within two – five days of the trip.
Generally, Mammoth Mountain resort is roughly a five-hour drive from campus. To learn more about the resort (parking, food and beverage etc.), check out our “Trip Planning” page. Convict Lake Resort is located off of Route 395 at 2000 Convict Lake Road Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546. To find your specific cabin, we recommend consulting the map at the check-in desk or looking at the map on their website.
Is there food?
In the past, we have asked students to give up meal swipes to get pack-outs from the dining halls for the weekend. Unfortunately, the food provided from the dining halls tends to not satisfy the needs of students that are fresh off the mountain, and it has been near-universally opposed by students on the trip. It is clear that one meal does not fit all, and we are now asking that students provide their own food for meals over Syllabus Daze. In the lodges, students tend to coordinate dinners, although we ask that you do not show up expecting a meal to be prepared for you unless you feel comfortable taking on the risk of going hungry for an evening. There are a number of grocery stores and restaurants near Mammoth that are easily accessible from Convict Lake.
How do I rent equipment and get lift tickets?
If you do not have your own equipment or a season pass, rental equipment and lift tickets are available to purchase at a discount through the ski club. We offer lift tickets for two days for $110 total and a full rental equipment set-up for $60 for the weekend. You are able to access these discounts by indicating on the sign-up form that you need lift tickets or equipment. Make sure you Venmo @ Ski-LINES the full cost of what you are requesting.
Where do I keep my personal belongings at the mountain?
For all future trips, the ski club will park a van which will serve as a private gear and personal belonging storage space in the parking lot by the Main Lodge. Students associated with Reading Daze will be able to access the van all day.
What should I bring?
Bring clothing and equipment for the snow sport of your choice. If you need to rent equipment, request a rental on the trip sign-up form and collect your rental gear at the main lodge (you will be able to follow signs once you are in the building). Many students spend time in the hot tubs at Convict Lakes or in one of the nearby hot springs, so you may want to bring a swimsuit if you wish to engage in one of these activities. If you are staying in one of the lodges and are not guaranteed a bed, we suggest that you bring a sleeping bag or comforter. As discussed above, you should be prepared to provide your own food.
