SkiMo Programs
Ski Mountaineering, also known as "SkiMo," combines the endurance of Nordic skiing with the skill and strength of Alpine skiing. Excitingly, SkiMo will be making its Olympic debut at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games! This sport is ideal for Alpine, Nordic, and Freestyle/all-mountain skiers, as well as mountain bikers and runners. Our athletes begin by learning the fundamental skills and efficiency of ski touring before transitioning to race-focused training.
SkiMo races come in various distances and styles:
Vertical: Uphill only, lasting from 15 minutes to 1 hour.
Individual: Multiple ascents and descents, ranging from 1 hour to several hours.
Sprint: Combines all the skills in under 4 minutes, featuring heats and finals similar to cross-country skiing sprints.
Team: Teams of 2 or 3 travel and race together, with events lasting from 3 hours to multi-day stages.
Our team programs are meticulously crafted to develop, challenge, and engage athletes at every skill level. We offer comprehensive training utilizing all four Aspen Ski Company mountains and the City of Aspen's Nordic trails in the winter.
Unsure which program is best for your athlete? Contact Program Director August Teague at ateague@teamavsc.org for guidance and information. SkiMo programs can be found under the Nordic Program Registration.
If you want to learn more about our SkiMo Programs, or share information about this program with family and friends, click here.
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HOW TO REGISTER
Registration for 2025-2026 Winter Programs opens July 1!
For additional information on registration, dates and deadlines, forms and more click here. Once you've selected a program, click here to enter our Campminder system and register. If you have used Campminder before with us, please use the same login and do not create a duplicate!
Scholarships are available for all team programs based on need. Click here to access the scholarship form. Athletes applying for a scholarship must submit their scholarship application by the early registration deadline (August 1st, 2025). Early Season Pricing will be extended for this new program through September 1. A $100 - $600 deposit (dependent on program) is required to apply for a scholarship. Scholarships are only available to residents of the Roaring Fork Valley or Western Garfield County.
COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS
The SkiMo Race Team is a comprehensive, year-round training and racing program designed for experienced ski mountaineering athletes who are committed to pushing their limits and pursuing excellence. This program is ideal for athletes with a strong work ethic and a desire to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
Athletes in the Race Team are expected to compete in regional events and participate in summer dryland training. Each athlete receives a personalized, year-round training plan tailored to their individual goals, ensuring a focused approach to long-term development and peak performance.
Our training environment emphasizes core values such as character, sportsmanship, work ethic, leadership, and inclusion. These principles are central to our program and help shape well-rounded individuals who lead with integrity on and off the mountain.
The Race Team meets three days a week during the winter season—Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—with additional weekend sessions for competitions. Summer dryland training opportunities are also available. The program begins November 5.
We’re excited to support your athlete’s journey toward high-level competition in a positive and challenging environment.
U16-20 SKIMO RACE (BIRTH YEAR 2006-2011)
- Year-round training (August 1 – July 31st) On-snow training: year-round as weather allows. Training in winter is Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with additional weekend competition schedules.
- Includes Summer Training Camp(s) and Thanksgiving Training Camp.
- Athletes will have the opportunity to participate in competitions, which may include team travel and housing.
- Program Fee: $6,380. Additional Parent Work Deposit $600
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Our Development (Devo) Program is based out of the AVSC Clubhouse and the City of Aspen Trails. This program is a great stepping stone for athletes interested in learning more about ski mountaineering (SkiMo) or building the skills and endurance needed for the Race Team.
Designed for athletes of all ability levels, the focus is on fun, skill development, and fostering a love for the sport. Athletes will work on fundamental SkiMo skills—including skinning, skiing, and transitions—while being introduced to racing, training habits, and goal setting.
The program meets twice a week on Wednesdays and Fridays from 4:00–5:30 PM. It begins on November 5 and runs through the first week of April.
Note: If there is not enough snow to ski at the beginning of the season, we will participate in dryland activities at the same location. We’ll communicate ahead of time if plans change.
We look forward to helping your athlete grow in confidence, ability, and enthusiasm for SkiMo in a supportive and challenging environment!
SKIMO DEVO (BIRTH YEAR 2011-2015)
- 3 days a week during winter (Wednesdays and Fridays) from November 5th – first week of April (No training Dec 24 – 31st).
- Includes Thanksgiving Training Camp.
- Athletes will have the opportunity to participate in competitions, which may include team travel and housing.
- Program Fee: $3,500. Additional Parent Work Deposit $450
MP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SKIMO PROGRAM
Our MP Elementary School SkiMo Program is a fun, learn-to-ski mountaineer program geared towards children in elementary school. The emphasis will be on fostering a love for the sport and enjoying winter in the Roaring Fork Valley. This program serves as a foundation for ski mountaineering (SkiMo) skills, including skinning, skiing, and boot packing.
Children will develop basic motor skills invaluable to their future athletic involvement. Skills such as coordination, agility, and balance will be taught through a variety of games and activities. As children progress through the program, they will also learn teamwork, sportsmanship, fair play, and other essential habits common among successful adolescents.
The program will take place at Lower Moore Field, adjacent to the Aspen Middle School, and will run for 12 weeks on Wednesdays or Fridays from 4:00–5:30 PM, January 14 and ending the first week of April.
Note: If there is not enough snow to ski at the beginning of the season, we will participate in dryland activities at the same location. We’ll communicate ahead of time if plans change.
We look forward to helping your child develop their skills and passion for SkiMo in a fun and supportive environment!
MP ELEMENTARY SKIMO (AGES 8-11)
- Wednesdays or Fridays January 14th through first week of April
- 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM at the Lower Moore Field
- Program Fee: Thanks to a generous donation, the program is free this year, with only a $25 processing fee required to register.
MEET THE STAFF
Kevin Roop | Head SkiMo Coach
kroop@teamavsc.org
Kevin joined the AVSC team in 2023 with years of experience coaching and competing. He comes to us from SSCV, where he was and Alpine, Strength and Conditioning, Skimo and Mountain Bike coach. Kevin is celebrating his 30th season working in the ski world where he has run race departments, ski schools, and various other departments. He is a Alpine Level 100 coach, PSIA Trainer and Children’s Accred, and hold various strength and conditioning certifications. Kevin grew up in Virginia, where he attended the Virginia Military Institute for college, and played Rugby. He started his skiing career at Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia, and made the move to Colorado in 1996. Besides Alpine Racing, Kevin enjoys mountain biking, skimo, yoga, and trail running with his wife, Ann and and their dog Murray.
TEAM Refund Policy: 100% Refunds are permitted before the program start date. Once the program start date has passed, refunds are only available for documented medical reasons that result in a season-ending injury. Refunds are determined by the following: Before January 1 - 50%; between January 1 and February 1 - 25%; after February 1 - No Refund. This season-ending injury refund assumes complete withdrawal from all AVSC programming, including Strength & Conditioning or athletic training services. All refunds are subject to a $100 processing fee.