Athletics

Vermont Academy at Mount Snow

Imagine the best of both worlds—more than an independent school and more than a snowsports academy.

Vermont Academy at Mount Snow offers a unique opportunity for student-athletes to cultivate their passion for on-snow sports while maintaining a consistent college preparatory program. Athletes can elect to train four sessions per week at Mount Snow or board at the Matterhorn campus for a more immersive experience. Our teachers and coaches work collaboratively to support goal-driven student-athletes while instilling confidence, perseverance, and independence. This exceptional combination of elite coaching and strong academic programming sets our students on the path to athletic and academic success—without sacrificing one for the other. For a full snowsports academy experience, we act as a winter boarding school which allows our student athletes to stay in dorms near the slopes so they can hone their skills while maintaining their studies in a one-on-one tutoring environment. Our winter sports boarding school is equipped for intensive full-day training sessions to unlock the true potential of our student athletes.

Offerings For Vermont Academy Students

Vermont Academy students have the opportunity to cultivate their passion for on-snow sports while maintaining a consistent college preparatory academic program. During the winter trimester, Wildcats can either train six days per week with our coaches at Mount Snow (VA/VAMS Coaching) or board full time at the Matterhorn campus (VA/VAMS Boarding) where they will receive 1:1 instruction in their VA classes. 

For this full snowsports academy experience, we act as a winter boarding school, allowing our student athletes to stay in dorms near the slopes so they can hone their skills while maintaining their studies in a one-on-one teaching environment. Our winter sports boarding school is equipped for intensive full-day training sessions to unlock the true potential of our student athletes.

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Full Winter Term Program

Student athletes who do not attend Vermont Academy but wish to have a fully immersive ski academy experience during the winter term are encouraged to apply to Vermont Academy at Mount Snow for the Full Winter Term Program option. We deeply believe that our coaches and training progression can help any athlete who is willing to put in the hard work reach their full potential. Our commitment to connecting everyone as a community both on and off the hill regardless of age, discipline, or background benefits all athletes.

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  • Program and Cost Breakdown for Full Winter Term

    ProgramBoarding Student CostDay Student Cost
    Full Winter Term$42,000$32,000
    December
    (Dec 1 - Dec 20)
    		$10,000$8,000
    January
    (Jan 5 - Feb 1)
    		$12,000$9,000
    February
    (Feb 1 - Feb 28)
    		$12,000$9,000
    March
    (March 3 - April 4)    		$13,000$10,000
    Training Only for Full SeasonN/A$20,000
    Training Only by MonthN/A$5,500

Jumpstart Program

The Jumpstart program is a three day per week program designed to provide the “next step” before moving on to the full-time academy program. Regular training occurs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from the end of November through the end of March, along with mid-week holiday periods (Christmas/New Year’s & Presidents’ Day Week).

8th Grade Winter Term

We understand the importance of selecting the right high school experience for your child as well as the abundance of options out there. Our 8th Grade Winter Term has been intentionally designed to allow families the opportunity to explore what it looks and feels like to send a child to a winter academy or boarding school, without committing to an entire school year. 8th grade is the perfect time for student athletes to have this type of experience for many reasons. First, they have the academic flexibility to participate in our unique course offerings. Secondly, they are at a place in their schooling where it makes sense for them to try new academic endeavors. Finally, they have reached a point in maturity where living in a residential facility is a reasonable next step.

Academics

Our academic instructors at VA at Mount Snow are experienced career teachers, not just tutors. Student athletes are carefully matched with an educator for each subject and the instructor works closely with VA’s or the sending school’s curriculum to ensure a seamless re-entry in the spring. Our 1:1 system allows a student’s strengths to be enhanced, support for subject areas in need of improvement, and a beneficial effect on a student’s self esteem through immediate and positive reinforcement. VA at Mount Snow teachers also utilize Vermont Academy’s MAPS® (My Action Plan for Success) program which helps students understand how they work and learn best, how to identify and build on their strengths, and how to develop personal strategies for reaching academic, athletic, and community goals.

History and Community

In 1980, Mount Snow Academy was created due to interest in individualized academic attention combined with Alpine ski training. By pairing educators with students, it was clear that the faculty could closely match the curricula of the sending schools and therefore could enable smooth transitions back home in the spring. Freeski coaches came on board in 1994 shortly followed by snowboard coaches which brought added excitement to the school. House parents lived with the athletes, prepared meals, drove them to doctor appointments, helped with homework, and more, creating the connected community we continue to cherish today. 

After 20 years of being located in the A-House, Mount Snow Academy’s new home became the Matterhorn Inn in 2016. This prime location in the heart of the Deerfield Valley allowed MSA to flourish as an outstanding winter term academy. MSA and Vermont Academy initiated their collaboration in 2020 and the strategic alignment was immediately clear, leading to Mount Snow Academy being acquired by Vermont Academy in 2023 and re-established as Vermont Academy at Mount Snow. Student athletes at VA at Mount Snow have the opportunity to receive both elite coaching and training from certified teachers and the rigorous academic curriculum of Vermont Academy.

Contact and Location

Contact Us!
Should you have questions about any program or aspect of Vermont Academy at Mount Snow, please feel free to contact us.

Ben Gardner
Director of Vermont Academy at Mount Snow
bgardner@vermontacademy.org

Dave Hodgson
Senior Associate Director of Admissions and Advancement
dhodgson@vermontacademy.org
O: 802.869.6255

Location:
248 Route 100
West Dover, VT 05356

Facilities and Training

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  • Mount Snow

    Mount Snow is our home mountain, less than five minutes away from the Matterhorn campus. Alpine athletes enjoy the convenience of private locker space, ski storage, and tuning at the Mount Snow Training Center.

    • 1700 vertical feet
    • 600 acres of skiable terrain 
    • 80+ trails
    • 100% snowmaking coverage

  • Carinthia Parks

    With an entire mountain face dedicated to terrain parks, each designed for different levels of experience and skill, Carinthia is the perfect training ground for freeski and snowboard athletes.

    • 100 acres of terrain park
    • Spread out over nine unique parks

  • Matterhorn Campus

    • Zmetra Training Dome with *NEW 14x14 foot Super Max Trampoline and 16 foot OC Mini Ramp with extensions (and more exciting additions to come)
    • 500 square foot gym with spin bikes and weights
    • Former inn with dorms, teaching and training space, commercial kitchen, and game room
    • Jib hill with lights for after-dinner sessions

Endorsements from the VA at Mount Snow Family

Meet the VAMS Directors

    • Ben Gardner

      Director of Vermont Academy at Mount Snow

    • Peter Stokloza

      Alpine Program Director / Head Alpine Coach

    • Nick Falbo

      Snowboard Program Director / Head Snowboard Coach

    • Sam Marino

      Freeski Program Director / Head Freeski Coach

Email
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10 Long Walk, PO Box 500
Saxtons River, VT 05154
802-869-6200
Vermont Academy is a coed college preparatory boarding and day school in southern Vermont, serving grades 9-12 plus a postgraduate year.