Clubhouse Chronicles: AVSC’s skimo team is off and running … uphill!

Excitement is in the air as the Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club (AVSC) launches its inaugural ski mountaineering (skimo) team. With registration now open and the appointment of a head coach, the buzz around the club and the AVSC community is palpable.

What is skimo?

Ski mountaineering racing, or skimo, is a thrilling winter sport that combines multiple disciplines into a high-stakes race against the clock and fellow competitors. Athletes ascend and descend peaks several times, switching between uphill skiing with skins, Alpine downhill skiing, and hiking. This demanding sport tests both mental and physical endurance and is rapidly gaining popularity in the United States.

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Already a staple in Europe for decades, skimo is the fastest-growing segment of snow sports in America. It will make its Olympic debut in 2026 in Cortina, Italy, where athletes will compete in sprint and a team relay event.

The sport traditionally encompasses five disciplines: Individual distance, individual sprint, individual vertical (think America’s Uphill), team duo (similar to the Power of Four or the Grand Traverse), and team relay. This season, AVSC athletes will train and compete across all of these disciplines. Additionally, skimo offers excellent winter cross-training for endurance sports such as cross-country running, cycling, triathlon, and trail running.

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A thriving community

The Roaring Fork Valley has long been passionate about skimo and has been home to some of the best skimo athletes in the world, such as current U.S. team member John Gaston, former U.S. team members Jessie Young and Max Taam, and local legends like Kristin Layne, the Wille brothers, and many more. Thanks to AVSC, local youth will have the opportunity to engage in this dynamic sport.

Aspen Snowmass is already recognized as a hub for skimo, and due to the ski company’s uphill routes, the excitement is building as USA skimo plans to hold a national team training camp at Aspen Highlands in early November. This camp will provide AVSC athletes with invaluable exposure to some of the nation’s top athletes and coaches.

Introducing head coach Kevin Roop

Leading the AVSC skimo team this season is Kevin Roop, a seasoned coach and athlete with a rich background in skimo. Kevin previously established the skimo team at Ski and Snowboard Club Vail (SSCV), where his coaching prowess led two female athletes to finish second and third in the U18 Nationals in their first year. These athletes, both newcomers to skimo, had backgrounds in Alpine racing, cross-country running, and mountain biking.

Kevin himself is an accomplished athlete, having placed third in the master’s division in the individual vertical at nationals and winning the masters division in the Power of Four with his teammate. After joining AVSC last year as the U12 Alpine race head coach, Kevin is eager to spearhead the skimo program in Aspen.

Join the team

Don’t miss out on the early season pricing for skimo signups, which has been extended through Sept. 3. Join us in embracing this exhilarating new sport and become part of the AVSC skimo team today!

AVSC is hosting an information session on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the AVSC Clubhouse (300 AVSC Drive, Aspen, CO, 81611) for the community to learn more about the program. If you are unable to join in person but want more information, email Kevin Roop at kroop@teamavsc.org for information on the virtual access codes.

Learn more at https://teamavsc.org/SkiMo-Programs.

Clubhouse Chronicles is a behind-the-scenes column written by the Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club that runs periodically in the Aspen Times.