"I have learned that it takes time to accomplish something you want to be proud of."
Emma K., sixth-grade student, 2015
Emma K., sixth-grade student, 2015
The Aspen Middle School sixth-grade uses the local Aspen environment as a venue for our cross-country skiing program. These activities allow students to develop an appreciation for our winter environment, improve their skiing, build self-confidence, and demonstrate leadership and responsibility. Additionally, students work with their peers to develop cooperative teamwork skills.
Our program consists of five one-day training trips and a three-day hut trip. All of the day trips are in the Roaring Fork Valley. We assess skiing abilities and equipment use on our first day. Students ski on our local Nordic trails and the Sugar Bowls or Ashcroft to improve skiing skills and stamina. There is one day dedicated to telemark instruction on Buttermilk Mountain.
The culmination of our program is a trip to the Shrine Mountain huts located near Vail Pass. These huts are operated by the Tenth Mountain Division Hut Association. On the first day we ski from the summit of Vail Pass, 2.7 miles to the Shrine Mountain huts (an elevation gain of 629 feet). Both nights are spent at these huts. The next morning the group skis to the top of Shrine Ridge where we enjoy the alpine scenery and a real sense of adventure. The remainder of the day is spent with some fun skiing near the huts. In addition to the skiing, preparing meals, maintaining the huts, and building relationships are all components of the trip. On the third day students depart the huts and ski back to Vail Pass where they are met by our bus. This trip is exciting and traverses spectacular terrain. The entire route has been skied by the sixth grade teachers many times and does not cross avalanche terrain.
Our program consists of five one-day training trips and a three-day hut trip. All of the day trips are in the Roaring Fork Valley. We assess skiing abilities and equipment use on our first day. Students ski on our local Nordic trails and the Sugar Bowls or Ashcroft to improve skiing skills and stamina. There is one day dedicated to telemark instruction on Buttermilk Mountain.
The culmination of our program is a trip to the Shrine Mountain huts located near Vail Pass. These huts are operated by the Tenth Mountain Division Hut Association. On the first day we ski from the summit of Vail Pass, 2.7 miles to the Shrine Mountain huts (an elevation gain of 629 feet). Both nights are spent at these huts. The next morning the group skis to the top of Shrine Ridge where we enjoy the alpine scenery and a real sense of adventure. The remainder of the day is spent with some fun skiing near the huts. In addition to the skiing, preparing meals, maintaining the huts, and building relationships are all components of the trip. On the third day students depart the huts and ski back to Vail Pass where they are met by our bus. This trip is exciting and traverses spectacular terrain. The entire route has been skied by the sixth grade teachers many times and does not cross avalanche terrain.