What is Skiing like at Powder Term?
By: Annika Nygren
It is proven that spending time outside is one of the best things we can do for our mental and physical health. In a 2019 review, University of Chicago psychologist Marc Berman, PhD, and his student Kathryn Schertz examined the cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Findings showed that nature's healing powers are impressive - even a few moments of outside can awaken a tired brain.
That is why we go straight to the mountain to ski first thing in the morning!
Skiing at Purgatory Ski Resort
After a delicious breakfast at the Lodge, Powder Term students head to Purgatory Ski Resort to ride the chair and improve their on-snow skills. Nestled in the rugged San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado, Purgatory Ski Resort sits just 25 miles north of historic downtown Durango. This area was carved by ancient glaciers, resulting in a one-of-a-kind mix of steep tree skiing runs and expansive cruisers boasting breathtaking views. With an impressive annual snowfall average of 260 inches, Purgatory is highly regarded for its consistent and dry powder, thanks to frequent snowstorms followed by sunny days. Spanning over 1,600 acres, the resort offers 105 trails and 11 lifts, as well as multiple terrain parks and a vertical drop of 2,029 feet.
Ski Groups
Students are coached in ability-based groups five days a week for at least 3 hours. On the other two days of the week, students can “Free Ski” in groups of two or more. Our coaches are from all over the world, have various certifications, and have tons of skiing and coaching experience. They have taken several students from having never ridden the chair lift to skiing down black diamonds over five weeks. If you are coming to Powder Term with some ski experience, our coaches will help you focus on other more advanced skills such as carving, moguls, and navigating steeper terrain.
What is Free Ski
During Free Ski days, students are given the opportunity and responsibility to ski independently in small groups. The coaches and staff are on the mountain these days, and students often choose to ski with them because it’s just so fun! Either way, this time to practice some autonomy on the ski mountain gives the group a chance to cheer each other on and ski with friends who might be at a different ability level than them.
After a morning on the slopes, it’s time to eat lunch and prepare for a few hours of school work and study hall. Between studies, meal times, and group activities, we still find time to come together and improve our skiing on land.
Self-Reflection after Skiing
After each session or lesson on the mountain, students grab their Ski Journals and record a bit about the day’s session. The practice of writing about the conditions, the skills we tried, and the trails we went down provide a space to reflect upon progress and solidify all that we are learning. After dinner, we either wind down with a yoga+ mindfulness session, watch videos of each other skiing to give constructive feedback or play a leadership game to bond more deeply as a community and Powder Term team.
Then it’s off to bed to do it all again tomorrow!
Read More About the Fun at Powder Term
Enrolling your teenager in either Powder Term or Surf Term is an amazing adventure. These programs, which run for five weeks and combine skiing or surfing with academics, are specifically designed for students in grades 6-9. They offer a unique opportunity to break away from their usual surroundings at home, school, and on digital devices, and embark on a transformative journey of self-exploration. Through rigorous training and living without phones, they will be challenged in every possible way. Click here to read firsthand accounts from Discover Term parents about the profound impact these immersive adventures have had on their children.
