Youth Ski Mountaineering

A joint program in partnership with Boulder Skimo

The Next Step In Your Athletes Ski Mountaineering Journey

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.

Run up, Ski Down, Have Fun!

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.

Meet The Coaches

Davide Giardini

  • Former youth FIS European alpine ski racing circuit

  • 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)

  • La Sportiva North America ski team athlete

  • ‘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 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.

Meg Cooke

  • 15 Week Program:

    An introduction to uphill skiing and skimo racing at Eldora with an emphasis on technique, fitness, fun, and progression.

    Every Tuesday & Thursday 4-5:30pm from early December to early April.

    Drop in Sessions Available!

  • This program is for athletes 12 to 19 years old.

  • Must know how to ski down a blue run in a controlled manor.

  • Eldora Mountain is our home base and main training ground.

    • It is 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!

  • Is transportation included?

    No, transportation to & from Eldora is not included

    Is an Eldora uphill pass or alpine pass included?

    No, you'll need to have a valid Eldora uphill or alpine pass before joining.

    Is gear provided?

    No, gear is not provided. We can help you find the right gear from our Partners.

    What races and events are there locally to participate in?

    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.

    What can I expect to learn?

    The training will progress in skills from December to April, with the goal of teaching participants how to be proficient in ski mountaineering racing.

    Is there a backcountry skiing component?

    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.

    I'm not sure if the program is for me. Can I try it before joining?

    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.

    Where can I learn more about the sport's debut in the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics?

    Click here to learn more.

    How do I qualify for the US Olympic Team?

    Click here to learn more.

  • Full 15 week Program: $750

    Drop-in Session: $35

    Late Sign up: Pro-rated at $25 a session

  • “Although team race-specific coaching, team travel, and team participation is not included in this year’s program, the local & national competition calendar is rich of competitive skimo opportunities, including a Colorado Cup, a National Cup, a Sprint-specific series.”

    Below are ALL Rocky Mountain Skimo Directed Races.
    *** SUBJECT TO CHANGE - use for general reference only ***

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Questions?

Contact Head Coach Davide via email at davide@boulderskimo.org