@ski_racer - Two very good schools that I have not seen mention are CU Boulder and Colorado School of Mines. Both are within an hour of great skiing. University of Denver and Colorado College are also great schools along the front range of the Rocky Mountains, arguably the best skiing in the world (I did say arguably). All 4 are highly rated nationally, regionally and technically. Do what you love! Get a great education but also fuel your passion! You can apply to those lottery schools but also apply to the schools that you want to attend. Just having the stats are no guarantee you will get in. Go look at the decision threads for schools like Stanford and Princeton. Every kid has unbelievable stats and most did not get in.