SkiMo Programs
AVSC SkiMo introduces athletes to the fast-growing sport of ski mountaineering through a fun, supportive, and age-appropriate approach. Combining the endurance of uphill travel, the excitement of alpine descents, and essential mountain skills, SkiMo helps athletes build fitness, confidence, and a lifelong love for exploring the mountains.
Our program emphasizes movement, adventure, and teamwork while teaching fundamental skills such as uphill travel techniques, transitions, efficient downhill skiing, equipment management, and mountain awareness. Athletes train in a positive environment that encourages curiosity, resilience, and a strong connection to the outdoors.
Whether participants are experienced skiers looking for a new challenge or are discovering SkiMo for the first time, AVSC provides a clear pathway for growth—from introductory programming to competitive opportunities for athletes who want to pursue racing. Above all, our goal is to foster a passion for mountain sports while helping athletes develop as confident, well-rounded individuals.
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 Sophie Hamilton at shamilton@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.
.jpeg)
HOW TO REGISTER
Registration for 2026-27 Winter Programs
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!
TEAM PROGRAM
SKIMO COMP PROGRAM (9TH - 12TH GRADE)
This three-day program includes Friday Development SkiMo sessions, Tuesday Mountain Skills sessions, and Thursday Competition Team practices focused on race-specific training and performance development.
Athletes will continue building technical SkiMo skills, mountain awareness, and safe travel practices while developing the fitness, efficiency, and race strategies needed for competition. Thursday sessions emphasize uphill and downhill technique, transitions, interval training, pacing, race tactics, and competition preparation.
The Competition Team provides a well-rounded approach to athlete development by combining fitness, technical skills, mountain education, and racing opportunities. Athletes will have the opportunity to participate in local, regional, and national SkiMo races throughout the winter, with coaches providing guidance and support for competition goals.
This is a three day/week program that runs from October 26 through March 19, with Tuesday Mountain Skills sessions, Thursday Competition Team practices, and Friday Development SkiMo sessions each week. There are no sessions during the weeks of December 21 and December 29 for the holiday break. The SkiMo Comp Team will also be invited to strength and conditioning sessions twice a week during the fall and spring.
- Early Sign-up Fee: $3,735. Regular Program Fee: $4,020. Additional Parent Work Deposit $550.
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Our Development SkiMo Program is designed for athletes of all ages and experience levels who want to explore the exciting sport of ski mountaineering. Athletes will be grouped by age and ability to ensure they receive age-appropriate instruction in a fun and supportive environment.
Participants will learn foundational SkiMo skills, including skinning, skiing, boot packing, transitions, and mountain awareness, while developing coordination, balance, agility, and endurance through games and on-snow activities.
Please note: If there is not enough snow at the start of the season, dryland activities will be held at the same location. We will communicate any changes in advance.
We look forward to helping athletes build skills, confidence, and a lifelong passion for SkiMo.
SKIMO DEVO PROGRAM (5TH - 12TH GRADE)
Athletes participate in the Friday Development SkiMo sessions and an additional Tuesday Mountain Skills session, creating a well-rounded program that combines fitness, technical skill development, and mountain education.
During Mountain Skills sessions, athletes will develop advanced SkiMo skills, including efficient uphill travel, transitions, route planning, and downhill technique, while gaining hands-on experience with avalanche awareness, beacon use, companion rescue, weather and avalanche forecast interpretation, terrain assessment, and decision-making.
Through guided activities, practical scenarios, and age-appropriate mountain education, participants will build confidence, teamwork, and a strong understanding of mountain safety and stewardship. Whether athletes aspire to race, explore new terrain with their families, or become more knowledgeable mountain travelers, SkiMo Devo provides a strong foundation for future adventures.
This is a two day/week program that runs from December 8 through March 16 from 4:00-5:30, with Tuesday Mountain Skills sessions and Friday Development SkiMo sessions each week. There are no sessions during the weeks of December 21 and December 28 for the holiday break.
- Early Sign-up Fee: $1,000. Regular Program Fee: $1,080.
SKIMO MP PROGRAM (2ND GRADE +)
Participants will learn foundational SkiMo skills, including skinning, skiing, boot packing, transitions, and mountain awareness, while developing coordination, balance, agility, and endurance through games and on-snow activities.
This is a one day a week program that meets at Lower Moore Field, adjacent to Aspen Middle School, and runs on Fridays from 4:00–5:30 p.m., beginning December 1 and ending March 19th. There are no sessions during the weeks of December 21 and December 28 for the holiday break.
Please note: If there is not enough snow at the start of the season, dryland activities will be held at the same location. We will communicate any changes in advance.
We look forward to helping athletes build skills, confidence, and a lifelong passion for SkiMo.
- Early Sign-up Fee: $590. Regular Program Fee: $635.
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.
Simi Hamilton | SkiMo and Nordic Coach
simi@teamavsc.org
Born and raised in Aspen, Simi grew up doing every discipline he could with skis attached to his feet. He went through the AVSC program himself and graduated from Aspen High School in 2005 before attending Middlebury College. He eventually focused his efforts on competing in Nordic, competing in 3 Olympic Games and earning multiple World Cup podiums, but he used backcountry skiing as a mode of cross training as much as possible. He is currently a mountain guide and has the FKT on the technical Elks Traverse. Simi has been involved in AVSC in both Nordic and SkiMo and is excited to continue working with athletes in both disciplines.
REFUND POLICY
This season-ending injury refund assumes complete withdrawal from all AVSC programming, including Strength & Conditioning or athletic training services. (Devo/Weekend programs through the end of the season; Team programs through the end of July) All refunds are subject to a $100 processing fee.