There are hundreds of clubs on campus, but there is one that focuses on winter festivities the most,: the Ski and Snowboarding Club.

It started more than 20 years ago at Iowa State and is bringing in an enormous amount of members every year. The club has almost 300 members, making them the largest sports club on campus and the second largest club overall.

It meets every week for club socials with free food and socializing. This sports club allows members to get out and ski or snowboard, while also being in a friendly social environment where they are able to meet new people.

“My favorite part about the club is the large variety of social events we put on along with the three major trips that we take throughout the year,” said Ryan Kramme, junior in finance.

But their biggest event of all that the group looks forward to all year is the winter break trip. The Winter break trip is usually a week-long trip out west. They take luxury charter buses and stay in condos on the mountain together with the other schools in attendance. The club usually takes 200 people and the other eight universities usually take anywhere from 100 to 200 as well, making this a huge event.

“We ski/snowboard for four days and stay five nights. There is usually premiere entertainment a few nights we are there as well, which is usually a large concert. This year we are going to Park City, Utah, and the concert event is Ying Yang Twins and Black Pegasus,” said Cody Pancratz, senior in finance.

The cost of this year’s trip is $450 for the four-day lift pass and five-night lodging trip.

“If you want to ride the bus with us it is an extra $135 round trip, but you are welcome to drive out yourself if you want,” Pancratz said.

They also go on trips during Thanksgiving Break and Spring Break as well as an annual Campustown Rail Jam event that is usually held near the end of January. Rail Jam is free to the public and $20 for participants.

“I think this is an important club on campus because it is made up of a lot of great students here at Iowa State, and we provide a fun environment for our members to participate in both active and social activities,” Pancratz said.

“We want Iowa Staters to realize that winter is much more than just a cold unbearable five months out of every year. The trips we offer allow students a chance to see a part of the United States that they may have not gotten a chance to see without us,” Kramme said. “One thing many students have a hard time believing is the fact that Iowa State has the biggest ski and snowboard club in the Midwest.”