The Balance of Education and High-Level Competition

At high levels of competition in most sports, student-athletes face challenges of finding the balance between athletic success and academic achievement. Alpine ski racers are year-round athletes with rigorous training and competition schedules, which have been at the forefront of developing unique schools tailored to supporting student-athletes. The need for educational flexibility has caused an uptick in alpine academies, multi-sports schools, and ski clubs combined with schools.

Athletes should not have to give up on their athletic dreams to excel academically or vice-versa. So, how do you know what school or academy is best for you? We have your back! Here is a list of educational institutions to choose from. All are in alphabetical order.

Burke Mountain Academy

• Where is it located: Burke, Vermont
• Is there boarding: YES
• Is it a school just for Skiing: YES
• Is there a tuition: YES

Burke Mountain Academy was founded in 1970 and has made it their mission to be “all-in on ski racing.” The academy is at the base of Burke Mountain, which offers the racers easy access to a productive northeastern training facility. The academy has been trusted by many successful athletes for over 50 years and is dedicated to supporting the development of academics, training and community. The academy is an annual college-preparatory school that has developed a curriculum that complements students’ athletic schedules.

Burke emphasizes long-term planning and steps to succeed at the “highest level over a short-term, outcome-driven strategy.” 

Green Mountain Valley School

• Where is it located: Waitsfield, Vermont
• Is there boarding: YES
• Is it a school just for Skiing: NO
• Is there a tuition: YES

Green Mountain Valley School’s mission is to develop the whole student-athlete with “a life-long love of learning, sport and adventure.” In 1973, Four men passionate about ski racing founded the school to provide a “quality academic experience for competitive skiers.” This college preparatory academy is academically designed with a traditional liberal arts curriculum. The school finds importance in creating individual paths for students and offers traditional core courses and various electives. The academy offers year-long programs for ages from U16 to PG athletes. They emphasize a schedule that dedicates time to on-snow ski training to develop consistent technical and tactical skills. They also offer a unique G7 program, which introduces 7^th grade students to ski academy life.

Mt. Mansfield Academy

• Where is it located: Stowe, Vermont
• Is there boarding: YES
• Is it a school just for Skiing: YES
• Is there a tuition: YES

Founded in 1920 by a small group of passionate, local skiers and incorporated in 1934, Mt. Mansfield Academy is one of the longest-running ski racing organizations in the United States. Mt. Mansfield is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, which is a globally recognized standard for educational excellence. 

The academy has full-time programs that cover the entire academic year and a Winter Term Program operating from November to April. Different programs are offered for Juniors (U8 to 12) and U14 to PG racers. The academy also has a variety of training camps during the off-season to ensure year-round progress. The academy has curated a schedule for training that optimizes the athletes’ time on snow to gain “habitual development of physical literacy.”

Northwood School with New York Ski Education Foundation

• Where is it located: Lake Placid, New York
• Is there boarding: YES
• Is it a school just for Skiing: NO
• Is there a tuition: YES

The Northwood School strives to create an atmosphere for athletes that “balances time on snow and in the classroom.”  The school offers a private school education with an advanced curriculum and place-based learning. The campus is close to Whiteface Mountain and Mt. Van Hoevenberg, which gives the athletes a variety of training venues.

The academy is an all-sports school, so various other high-performance athletes will accompany the alpine racer. For ski racers, they offer a Winter Term Program and an annual program. They have a long-standing relationship with the New York Ski Education Foundation, which U.S. Ski and Snowboard recognizes as a ‘Gold Certified Club.’ The on-snow training takes place at Whiteface Mountain and the athletes are offered multiple training camps.

Okemo Mountain School

• Where is it located: Ludlow, Vermont
• Is there boarding: NO
• Is it a school just for Skiing: NO
• Is there a tuition: YES

Okemo Mountain School is a Winter Term ski and snowboard academy “dedicated to delivering rigorous academic curriculum, while providing an intense on-snow training schedule.” They want their student-athletes to grasp their athletic dreams without compromising their academic goals. 

Unlike many annual snow sports academies, Okemo Mountain School only focuses on Winter Term participation. The academy encourages athletes to enroll in Winter Term full-time, but provides shorter programs called Target Terms. Target Terms can be eight weeks to three months long and are offered as A, B, or C Terms. Target A Term is three months and works best for U16 athletes. The Target B Term is also three months and works best for U14 and U12 athletes. The Target C Term is only eight weeks long and has been created for younger athletes.

Proctor Academy

• Where is it located: Andover, New Hampshire
• Is there boarding: YES
• Is it a school just for Skiing: NO
• Is there a tuition: YES

Proctor Academy is a private college preparatory school where they strive to provide an atmosphere that supports students’ freedom “to explore, create and define themselves.” The Proctor on-snow program has access to the Proctor Ski Area, which is privately owned and operated. 

Different programs are offered for various ages at Proctor. The year-round program, Proctor’s Eastern Ski Team, is curated for athletes to “pursue elite-level skiing and strength conditioning while engaging in robust academic courses.” The coaches and athletes have a private, on-snow facility that allows for optimal training sessions. Also, the team works in five different preseason training trips and most winter afternoons are spent on snow. The school also has a varsity and beginner skiing program that provides introductory and competitive skiing for all levels of athletes.

Stratton Mountain School 

• Where is it located: Stratton, Vermont
• Is there boarding: YES
• Is it a school just for Skiing: NO
• Is there a tuition: YES

Stratton Mountain School is an independent day and boarding school that offers college preparatory education and competitive winter sports. Located at the bottom of Stratton Mountain Resort, the school has accelerated their student-athletes to the highest level of competition. 

The Alpine Program emphasizes the complete development of their athletes. They focus on the highest standards for coaches, athletic management, governance and safety for ages U14-U21. Their program extends into three options for ski racers: a Full Term Program, Winter Term Program and Postgraduate Program. Academically, Stratton Mountain School strives to challenge their student-athletes “intellectually” in and outside of the classroom. They assist their student-athletes in balancing their rigorous schedules with high expectations. 

Waterville Valley Academy

• Where is it located: Waterville Valley, New Hampshire
• Is there boarding: YES
• Is it a school just for Skiing: YES
• Is there a tuition: YES

The Waterville Valley Academy has a deep history and their legacy lives on through the name and their traditions. Since then, the academy has continued to develop and offer safe, high-quality alpine training and racing experiences. Their main goal is to provide their athletes with “the time of their lives.” They strive to offer dedicated learning facilities, excellent coaches and a safe place for young adults to meet lifelong friends. The academy offers full-time programs, boarding and weekend developmental programs. 

The full-time Waterville Valley Academy trains athletes from U12 to their Post-Graduate year. The team trains at Waterville Valley Resort, located in their backyard. The program is curated to meet the different individual needs of their athletes through “first-rate coaching, personal attention, physical conditioning, support, and mental well-being.”

Rowmark Ski Academy at Rowland Hall 

• Where is it located: Salt Lake City, Utah
• Is there boarding: YES
• Is it a school just for Skiing: NO
• Is there a tuition: YES

Established in 1982, Rowmark Ski Academy at Rowland Hall is a full-time academic program that aims to “foster growth and resilience within the student-athletes.” Their education is committed to evidence-based best practices and investments in faculty and programs.

The student-athletes train at Park City’s Olympic Race Arena and Snowbird Resort. Rowmark Ski Academy has a Junior Program and an Academy Program dedicated to “fostering a lifelong appreciation of alpine skiing and racing.” A Junior Program athlete has a different number of days on snow depending on their level, while the Academy Program has a year-round training schedule. They focus on developing student-athletes dedicated to academics, athletics, technique, tactics, sports psychology, conditioning, teamwork and good citizenship.

Steamboat Mountain School with Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club

• Where is it located: Steamboat Springs, Colorado 
• Is there boarding: YES
• Is it a school just for Skiing: NO
• Is there a tuition: YES

The Steamboat Mountain School is a private college preparatory, day and boarding school that offers a place for “students to grow today, tomorrow and every day after that.” It has students from kindergarten through 12^th grade with various interests. Steamboat Mountain School works with Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club to offer an all-encompassing school and ski program.

The alpine team from Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club has outstanding access to Steamboat Ski Resort, Howelsen Hill Ski Area, and the lengthy Colorado winter seasons. The dedication to the sport is supported by the educational program offered at the school. The alpine program has programs for all groups and for the older ages they believe “the mileage in and out of gates becomes the foundation for all future development and success.” 

Sug

Sun Valley Ski Academy

• Where is it located: Sun Valley, Idaho
• Is there boarding: YES
• Is it a school just for Skiing: NO
• Is there a tuition: YES

The Sun Valley Ski Academy is dedicated to balancing on snow and in the classroom. The academy is a day and boarding school that joins with the Sun Valley Community School to provide a college preparatory curriculum. The student-athletes are supported with flexible schedules so they can get a high-quality education that doesn’t impact their passion for competition. 

The academy delivers an “unparalleled opportunity” for ski racers to “excel at school while accelerating on the slopes.” Their faculty understands the rigorous schedules of high-level athletes and accommodates them with travel-friendly programs. The racers at Sun Valley Ski Academy mostly train at Dollar Mountain and Bald Mountain, which both offer a variety of terrain.

The Peak School with Team Summit

• Where is it located: Frisco, Colorado 
• Is there boarding: NO
• Is it a school just for Skiing: NO
• Is there a tuition: YES

The Peak School is a college preparatory, non-profit institution in Frisco, Colorado. It is a progressive school committed to students who will be active and enthusiastic about participation during their experience. The Peak School works with Team Summit to offer an all-inclusive program for high-performing athletes.  

Team Summit has its main facilities at the base of Copper Mountain, but the athletes on the team train all over Summit County and Colorado. The team has programs for all ages, from introductory levels to post-graduate. Team Summit is a ‘Gold Certified Club’ that provides age and ability-appropriate training sessions to advance disciplines and pursue podium achievements.

Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy with Ski and Snowboard Club Vail

• Where is it located: Vail and Minturn, Colorado
• Is there boarding: NO
• Is it a school just for Skiing: NO
• Is there a tuition: NO

Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy works with Ski and Snowboard Club Vail to create an all-encompassing educational program that works with athletes’ rigorous schedules. This academy was the first in the country that provided a public school educational environment for serious winter athletes. It has been “specifically tailored to deliver its curriculum to a student body that can be spread across the globe.” 

This academy provides an education that is financially attainable to give full-time athletes the chance to achieve their academic goals without missing out on athletic achievements. The student-athletes must be full-time athletes with Ski and Snowboard Club Vail. The club offers year-round training opportunities and the staff develops different plans for each athlete’s level.
Ski and Snowboard Club Vail also partners with Vail Mountain School and Red Sandstone Elementary to make it possible for education and high-level athletics to coincide.

Winter Sports School

• Where is it located: Park City, Utah
• Is there boarding: NO
• Is it a school just for Skiing: NO
• Is there a tuition: YES

The Winter Sports School is a college preparatory, public charter school that provides a unique schedule for their athletes, creating a balance of education and athletics. They encourage athletes to pursue their academics and winter athletics to the best of their ability and have fun while pursuing their goals. 

Its educational system is built differently with a schedule that does not have classes during the winter months. They have developed a program that is focused on education outside of the heightened competition season. The academy also allows their student-athletes to choose the coaches and teams that best suit their needs, so the academy does not have a primary team.

APEX2100

• Where is it located: Tignes, France
• Is there boarding: YES
• Is it a school just for Skiing: NO 
• Is there a tuition: YES

Apex2100 is an international ski academy renowned for its exceptional blend of academic excellence, “world-leading” ski coaching and performance training. The programs focus on three key aspects: adaptability, long-term development, and creating a place where athletes learn through failures and successes.

They have curated four programs that accommodate various age groups including, a development program (U12 athletes), youth program (U14 to U16 athletes), FIS, and PG program. Each program has been developed to give the age group what they need to be successful on and off the slopes. The coaching staff believes, “to be an alpine skier, you must be an all-around athlete,” so they focus on preparation, strength performance, recovery, and innovation.