YOUTH SKIMO PROGRAM
A joint program in partnership with Eldora Mountain Ski & Snowboard Club.
Human powered ski touring in a controlled safe environment is the perfect winter outlet for active kids!
Combining the simple act of walking uphill in a winter wonderland with the thrill of downhill skiing into one, skimo is the perfect outlet for active kids, and it’s easy to learn with expert instruction.
While your kid doesn’t have to be a future Olympian in the making (skimo will making its Olympic debut at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics), we strive to create a fun educational environment where kids can learn the sport in company.
If you’re interested in being the first to know about our Youth Skimo Program, submit your interest below.
A joint program in partnership with Eldora Mountain Ski & Snowboard Club.
Human powered ski touring in a controlled safe environment is the perfect winter outlet for active kids!
Combining the simple act of walking uphill in a winter wonderland with the thrill of downhill skiing into one, skimo is the perfect outlet for active kids, and it’s easy to learn with expert instruction.
While your kid doesn’t have to be a future Olympian in the making (skimo will making its Olympic debut at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics), we strive to create a fun educational environment where kids can learn the sport in company.
If you’re interested in being the first to know about our Youth Skimo Program, submit your interest below.
A joint program in partnership with Eldora Mountain Ski & Snowboard Club.
Human powered ski touring in a controlled safe environment is the perfect winter outlet for active kids!
Combining the simple act of walking uphill in a winter wonderland with the thrill of downhill skiing into one, skimo is the perfect outlet for active kids, and it’s easy to learn with expert instruction.
While your kid doesn’t have to be a future Olympian in the making (skimo will making its Olympic debut at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics), we strive to create a fun educational environment where kids can learn the sport in company.
If you’re interested in being the first to know about our Youth Skimo Program, submit your interest below.
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An introduction to uphill skiing and skimo racing at Eldora with an emphasis on technique, fitness, fun, and progression.
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Every Tuesday & Thursday 4-5:30pm from early December to early April.
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Eldora Ski Resort
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Youth ages 12 to 19 years old. Must know how to ski down a blue run and have own gear (gear assistance available).
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Skimo at Eldora is safe (in-bounds) and accessible (a quick 30’ drive from Boulder)
It iss the perfect winter sport for active, outdoorsy, and endurance-focused youth.
It’s the perfect winter sport for runners, cyclists, triathletes, and alpine, nordic, and freeride skiers.
The sport will debut at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics!
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$750 for the full 15-Week program with 2 weekly coached sessions (Tue & Thu, 4-5:30pm).
Drop-in session: $35/session
Late signup: pro-rated at $25/session
THE VENUE:
Through a joint partnership with EMSC, Eldora, and Boulder Skimo, we’re able to offer an in-bounds avalanche-mitigated competition-level ski run fully illuminated with artificial lights.
MEET THE COACHES:
DAVIDE GIARDINI
Former youth ski racer on the FIS European alpine ski and Carving Cup circuits
2024 USA Skimo National Team coach (Olympic Training Center, Arapahoe Basin)
2023 USA Skimo National Team Member qualified (**not selected due to non-US citizen**)
2024 Colorado Ski Mountaineering Cup overall series winner
Podium results at the biggest North American ski mountaineering races since 2020 (Breckenridge Five Peaks, Aspen Power of Four Team National Championships, Telluride Tellurando, Sunlight Heathen Challenge, Eldora Sprint National Championships, Arapahoe Basin National Cup, Wolf Creek National Cup)
‘How to Ski Tour’ video series co-producer
Founder of Boulder Skimo
10x professional triathlon podiums (4x wins) from 2014-2019
USA Triathlon Long Distance World Championship 2017 team member (7th at World Champs)
MEG COOKE
Meg was born and raised in the UK but spent her childhood skiing between Banff, AB and the French Alps.
She first got hooked on ski touring as a teenager and hasn’t looked back.
She qualified as a Canadian Level 2 Instructor and Race Coach between high school and college before taking these skills to University racing in the UK (with some freestyle thrown in too).
Meg moved to Boulder in 2022 to work as a senior researcher at CU and from there she got into competitive skimo racing.
She won the 2024 Colorado Skimo Cup and races around the country on the National Cup circuit as well as coaching Boulder Skimo’s Women’s Clinics on Friday mornings at Eldora.
FAQs:
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Yes, you'll need to be able to ski down a blue groomed run before joining.
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No, transportation to & from Eldora is not included.
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No, you'll need to have a valid Eldora uphill or alpine pass before joining.
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No, gear is not provided. We can help you find the right gear from our Partners.
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The program will prepare young athletes for local events by Rocky Mountain Skimo (including the Colorado Cup), mid-week races at Eldora (Morning Grind) and Arapahoe Basin (Rise & Shine), as well as the USA Skimo National Cup Series.
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The training will progress in skills from December to April, with the goal of teaching participants how to be proficient in ski mountaineering racing.
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The program will be conducted strictly in in-bounds avalanche-mitigated terrain.
Although we will cover basic avalanche awareness and beacon/probe/shovel use, the program is NOT intended to be an avalanche safety class, but rather skills & training development.
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This is a non-exhaustive list of basic gear needed to join the program:
lightweight ski touring skis + skins (> 80mm underfoot preferred)
lightweight ski touring boots (> 1kg and race-cuff preferred)
lightweight pin-tech style bindings (race-type with no raisers preferred)
ski touring poles (with wrist straps)
backpack with quick-release ski attachment (for boot-packing)
lightweight helmet
clear-lenses sunglasses (for night use)
lightweight top & bottom mid-layers (for training)
insulation top & bottom layers (for warmup)
2x sets of gloves (for different conditions)
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You're welcome to do drop-in sessions at $35 per session.
If you end up signing up for the whole program, the cost is a flat rate of $750.
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Click here to learn more.
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Click here to learn more.
Questions?
Complete the form below or reach out.
