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SnowSchool

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Program Overview

 We are excited to offer another season of SnowSchool! Our program draws on the Winter Wildlands Alliance framework and connects students throughout Southcentral Alaska to the wild and wonderful world of snow, emphasizing teachable moments and hands-on exploration of the snowpack and winterized watersheds.
In FY24, Winter Wildlands Alliance served over 35,000 students across 72 programs nationally, and we’re proud to be among them!

Program Goals

1. Provide students with knowledge of basic snow science and hydrology using an experiential, inquiry-based teaching model.
2. Expose students to the winter environments and recreation opportunities in the KMTA NHA.
3. Provide opportunities to practice their science, social, and outdoor skills.
4. Model and cultivate stewardship behaviors and an appreciation for the natural world.

Program Type: Classroom Visit

During a classroom visit, KMTA education staff will lead an hour-long, hands-on educational program aligned with school curriculum. Students will have the opportunity to learn in a classroom setting as well as explore the winter landscape surrounding your school.
Classroom visits are available for K – 12th students, and programs will be tailored to fit the educational needs of the age group served. There is no minimum for the number of classrooms required to sign up for this program to run.

Program Type: Field Trip

For a field trip program, KMTA education staff will lead a full-day snowshoe adventure within the Kenai Mountains – Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area (KMTA NHA). Before embarking on your field trip, our education team will come to the classroom for a pre-trip visit; they’ll also return after the field trip for a post-trip visit. 
Thanks to grant funding, field trip fees are reduced for those students who attend school within the boundaries of the KMTA NHA. Transportation assistance is available for all interested parties.

Program Availability & Pricing

I’m an educator in…

Anchorage

Classroom Visit

Cost: $25 per classroom

Field Trip

Cost: $25 per student

Location: Moose Meadows, Girdwood

Transportation: KMTA has partnered with local transportation vendors to offer a discounted bus rate of $400 for SnowSchool field trips to Moose Meadows in Girdwood. A big thanks to our partners for working with us to make field trip transportation possible!

Availability

Tuesdays through Thursdays, Jan – March 2025

Contact Us

Josh Vantrease – jvantrease@kmtacorridor.org

Girdwood/ Whittier

Classroom Visit

Cost: $25 per classroom

Field Trip

Cost: $15 per student

Location: Center Ridge, Turnagain Pass

Transportation: Through fundraising and the generous support of partners, we are able to offer interested teachers up to $200 toward SnowSchool bus costs. Priority for this funding will be given to schools who have at least two classes participate in each field trip.

Availability

Tuesdays through Thursdays, Jan – March 2025

Contact Us

Josh Vantrease – jvantrease@kmtacorridor.org

Hope/ Cooper Landing

Classroom Visit

Cost: $25 per classroom

Field Trip

Cost: $15 per student

Location: Your choice of —

  • Center Ridge, Turnagain Pass
  • Devil’s Creek Ski Area
  • Divide Ski Area

Transportation: Through fundraising and the generous support of partners, we are able to offer interested teachers up to $200 toward SnowSchool bus costs.

For classes of fewer than 13 students, KMTA can provide free transportation in our 15-passenger van (1 teacher is required to ride in the van along with students).

Availability

Tuesdays through Thursdays, Jan – April 2025

Contact Us

Sarah Schuh – sarahschuh@kmtacorridor.org

Moose Pass/ Seward

Classroom Visit

Cost: $25 per classroom

Field Trip

Cost: $15 per student

Location: Your choice of —

  • Center Ridge, Turnagain Pass
  • Devil’s Creek Ski Area
  • Divide Ski Area

Transportation: Through fundraising and the generous support of partners, we are able to offer interested teachers up to $200 toward SnowSchool bus costs.

For classes of fewer than 13 students, KMTA can provide free transportation in our 15-passenger van (1 teacher is required to ride in the van along with students).

Availability

Tuesdays through Thursdays, Jan – April 2025

Contact Us

Sarah Schuh – sarahschuh@kmtacorridor.org

If you are an educator or youth organizer from outside of our current program area and are interested in receiving information about how you can participate in SnowSchool, please send an email to Sarah Schuh – sarahschuh@kmtacorridor.org