There’s snow place like Mount Kato
Minnesota State students hit the slopes instead of the books at Mount Kato Saturday.
Mount Kato and the Student Events Team joined forces to put on a free tubing event for Mavericks from 7-11 p.m.
Taking advantage of Minnesota’s warmer weather, MSU senior Claire Jasinski attended Saturday’s event alongside her roommates.
“There were a lot of funny moments throughout the night,” Jasinski said. “It’s really great to go out and do something different with my roommates.”
As an exercise science major, Jasinski spent the night tubing to subside the stress of school.
“I think it is important to get students away from school for their mental health,” Jasinski said. “It’s good for students to socialize and meet new people in a new setting; It’s a plus that it gets students out and moving, being active.”
Home to skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing and mountain biking, Mount Kato is a winter sports facility located one mile south of Mankato. The free tubing event, a popular one in previous years, was brought back this semester with four open lanes for students to choose from.
Upon arrival, students signed waivers and showed their MAVCards. In exchange, they were given open access to unlimited snow tubing until the event’s end. There was also a shuttle running to and from campus during the length of the event, giving all Mavericks the chance to experience Mount Kato’s hills.
“Mount Kato is great,” MSU senior Jake Kemper said. “It’s a fun activity to do in the winter time.”
From balancing his studies in construction with being a captain of the MSU Lacrosse team, Kemper decided to take a break from his routine and join some friends at the ski area. Kemper enjoyed the fact that the event was, “free of charge for students.”
“I think it’s important for MSU to host these events because it allows students to enjoy themselves for free,” Kemper said. “A lot of college kids don’t have a lot of money so it can be difficult to find fun activities to do for free.”
A conveyor belt brings tubers up to the top of the hill, with the option to walk on foot at the side. From there, students could slide down individually or link together.
In addition to bundling up, students were able to keep warm with a warming tent, bonfire and hot chocolate at the Chalet.
“My experience was amazing,” Jasinski said. “My only flaw would be the long lines, but other than that I had an amazing, fun time”
Students are welcome to visit Mount Kato and pay a $20 fee for two hour tubing intervals, as well as try out the ski slopes during open hours.
Write to Mercedes Kauphusman at mercedes.kauphusman@mnsu.edu
Header Photo: The Student Events Team and Mount Kato hosted a free tubing event for students at Minnesota State Saturday from 7-11 p.m. (Dylan Long/The Reporter)