Field Trips That Bring Learning to Life on the Mountain
Published May 2026
Sometimes the best classroom has no walls.
During the 2025/26 winter season, Steamboat Ski Resort welcomed local students onto the mountain for hands‑on learning experiences that blended science, stewardship, and a behind‑the‑scenes look at the ski industry. Through an ongoing partnership with Yampatika, these field trips help students see the mountain not just as a place to play — but as a place to learn, explore, and imagine future career possibilities.
Hayden Middle School: A STEM Day on the Mountain
In February, 35 seventh graders from Hayden Middle School spent a full day rotating through hands‑on sessions designed to introduce them to careers in the snowsports and outdoor industry. The experience was built in partnership with Yampatika as part of Hayden’s STEM and career pathways curriculum.
Students explored three stations across the mountain:
Sometimes the best classroom has no walls.
During the 2025/26 winter season, Steamboat Ski Resort welcomed local students onto the mountain for hands‑on learning experiences that blended science, stewardship, and a behind‑the‑scenes look at the ski industry. Through an ongoing partnership with Yampatika, these field trips help students see the mountain not just as a place to play — but as a place to learn, explore, and imagine future career possibilities.
Hayden Middle School: A STEM Day on the Mountain
In February, 35 seventh graders from Hayden Middle School spent a full day rotating through hands‑on sessions designed to introduce them to careers in the snowsports and outdoor industry. The experience was built in partnership with Yampatika as part of Hayden’s STEM and career pathways curriculum.
Students explored three stations across the mountain:
- Snow Science & Avalanche Control — Students rode to the top of Wild Blue Gondola and then snowshoed to a snow pit where they learned about snow science, avalanche fundamentals and control, and the decision‑making behind snow safety at the top of Wild Blue Gondola. The famous Steamboat avalanche dogs also paid the students a visit!
- Ski Patrol — At Ski Patrol headquarters in Fetcher Base, students learned about daily patrol duties, safety responsibilities, and the gear that keeps guests safe. They then performed a rescue simulation where they needed to assess, immobilize, and transport an injured guest.
- Lift Technician Careers — Students got behind‑the‑scenes look at mountain operations, mechanical systems, and career paths ranging from lift maintenance to snowmaking to HR while deep inside the mid-station of the Wild Blue Gondola.
During lunch, Steamboat’s Utility & Sustainability Specialist , Ben Cavarra, led a conversation about public vs. private land, Steamboat’s partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, and what stewardship looks like in a place as dynamic as the Yampa Valley.
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The day left an impression on all involved.
“A big thank you to Steamboat Resort for making a meaningful impact and helping show our students what’s possible for fun and future careers right here in the Valley.” — Nate Hayes, Hayden Middle School STEM Teacher
“Seeing the students’ eyes light up as they discovered the scale of our work and held a piece of the haul rope reminded me how many incredible career opportunities exist right here in the valley—and how much our own community can inspire the next generation to be part of it.” — Ryan Grosz, Steamboat Lift Maintenance Master Mechanic
“The 7th‑grade trip gave us opportunities to see and learn about things we wouldn’t have been able to if it weren’t for the trip. We got to see how chairlifts work and all the work that goes into making the resort run, which gave us a new perspective.” — Bristol Lima, Hayden 7th Grader
“Watching the students light up as they learned to safely stop and restart the ropeway reminded me how powerful it is to share our pride in keeping Steamboat’s lifts running—and how experiences like this can inspire the next generation to discover careers they never knew existed.” — Jeff Kelley, Steamboat Gondola Maintenance Supervisor
For many students, it was their first time seeing the mountain from this angle — not as guests or locals, but as future problem‑solvers, engineers, patrollers, and stewards. rich-text, responsive-table
“A big thank you to Steamboat Resort for making a meaningful impact and helping show our students what’s possible for fun and future careers right here in the Valley.” — Nate Hayes, Hayden Middle School STEM Teacher
“Seeing the students’ eyes light up as they discovered the scale of our work and held a piece of the haul rope reminded me how many incredible career opportunities exist right here in the valley—and how much our own community can inspire the next generation to be part of it.” — Ryan Grosz, Steamboat Lift Maintenance Master Mechanic
“The 7th‑grade trip gave us opportunities to see and learn about things we wouldn’t have been able to if it weren’t for the trip. We got to see how chairlifts work and all the work that goes into making the resort run, which gave us a new perspective.” — Bristol Lima, Hayden 7th Grader
“Watching the students light up as they learned to safely stop and restart the ropeway reminded me how powerful it is to share our pride in keeping Steamboat’s lifts running—and how experiences like this can inspire the next generation to discover careers they never knew existed.” — Jeff Kelley, Steamboat Gondola Maintenance Supervisor
For many students, it was their first time seeing the mountain from this angle — not as guests or locals, but as future problem‑solvers, engineers, patrollers, and stewards. rich-text, responsive-table
Strawberry Park Elementary: First Tracks in Stewardship
Later in the season, Steamboat hosted 55 first graders from Strawberry Park Elementary for a day of outdoor learning, also in partnership with Yampatika. Their experience focused on curiosity, connection, and understanding of the mountain as a living landscape.
Students rotated through three sessions:
Why These Moments Matter
Whether it’s seventh graders digging snow pits or first graders spotting animal tracks, these field trips offer something simple but powerful: access — to the mountain, to new ideas, and to futures that start right here in the valley.
For Steamboat Ski Resort, supporting local students isn’t just about scholarships or single‑day programs. It’s about creating opportunities that help the next generation see their own place in the ski industry, make their first tracks, and discover the lines they want to follow.
Because learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Sometimes, it starts at the base of the mountain. rich-text, responsive-table
Later in the season, Steamboat hosted 55 first graders from Strawberry Park Elementary for a day of outdoor learning, also in partnership with Yampatika. Their experience focused on curiosity, connection, and understanding of the mountain as a living landscape.
Students rotated through three sessions:
- Environment & Sustainability Discussion
- Nature Hike
- Patrol & Mountain Safety
Why These Moments Matter
Whether it’s seventh graders digging snow pits or first graders spotting animal tracks, these field trips offer something simple but powerful: access — to the mountain, to new ideas, and to futures that start right here in the valley.
For Steamboat Ski Resort, supporting local students isn’t just about scholarships or single‑day programs. It’s about creating opportunities that help the next generation see their own place in the ski industry, make their first tracks, and discover the lines they want to follow.
Because learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Sometimes, it starts at the base of the mountain. rich-text, responsive-table
rich-text, responsive-table