During the week, the CTA offers both in-school and after-school nordic ski programs held on the grounds of the host school. These programs integrate skiing into physical education classes or regular classroom time, giving students the chance to get outside and be active during the school day. We prioritize partnerships with rural communities where access to Nordic skiing is limited, working to ensure that all students, regardless of location, can enjoy the benefits of winter recreation.
All necessary equipment is transported directly to the school by CTA staff, allowing students to explore natural areas in their own communities. To host a program, a school only needs to provide:
- A staff member to be present and assist with programming
- A suitable indoor space for students to prepare
- A small outdoor area such as a sports field or playground to ski on
What You’ll Learn
Our curriculum is designed for beginners and focuses on getting kids active in the outdoors through fun and engaging activities. Programming can be tailored to emphasize either physical education or environmental education, and is flexible to meet the specific needs of each school.
Students ski for at least six weeks each year, giving them consistent practice time to build confidence in their skiing ability. With over a decade of experience, our curriculum not only teaches critical nordic skiing techniques, but also fosters a lasting love of outdoor recreation.
With the goal of inspiring youth to be lifelong skiers, we work with several grade levels per school. This multi-year learning experience allows students to begin as first-time skiers and progressively develop their skills over many winters, strengthening their connection with the sport.
Start Your Own Program
For schools interested in running their own programs, CTA offers loaner sets of gear, curriculum guidelines, and equipment delivery for use throughout the winter season. These school-facilitated programs allow schools to lead their own sessions while still benefiting from CTA’s support and resources.
If you’d like to start a program at your school, please contact outreach@catamounttrail.org for more information.
