18 Mar Telluride Academy: Sunset Scramble
Telluride Academy hosts Sunset Scramble. Snowshoe events takes place Thursday, March 24, 6 p.m. Adventure begins at base of Lift 4, Mountain Village.
Visitors and locals, adults and kids are all invited to attend what Telluride Academy hopes will become an annual event. It’s called the Sunset Scramble, an evening snowshoe adventure, and it launches Thursday, March 24, 6 p.m.
The adventure begins at the base of Lift 4, where participants meet to snowshoe up the Village By-Pass ski run to Station San Sophia/Top of Gondola. Some will race to win, but many will just hike. Participants then gondola back down to the Telluride Ski & Golf Member’s lounge (aka Telski’s corporate office lobby) for a post-event party, where everyone is invited to enjoy a complimentary chili bar with all the fixins’, beer, and awards ceremony.
Prizes are awarded to the fastest male, female, and teen participants but regardless of how fast you complete the hike, through the generous support of many local businesses, every participate is eligible to win one of many door prizes including free Academy summer camps, restaurant gift certificates, summer festival passes, raft trips, custom foot beds, fitness punch cards, private yoga instruction, and much more.
A kids’ event will take place at 5 p.m.before the adult outing; all children ages 5-12 are invited to attend. Kids get to enjoy their own post-event party and awards ceremony and be cared for while parents participate in the Adult event.
“I have been dreaming about getting an evening snowshoe event going for a very long time” explains Elaine Demas, Executive Director of Telluride Academy. “A few of us on the Academy Staff hiked the course this past week to give it a trial run and it was just magical. To be hiking on the mountain as the sun is setting is a rare treat. We are so grateful to Bill Jensen and everyone at the Telluride Ski Resort for supporting this idea. It took coordination across all departments from mountain operations & grooming to ski patrol and the food and beverage department. Everyone has been so supportive and helpful. It’s going to be a great event that I hope the entire community comes out to participate in.”
Not familiar with Telluride Academy? Here’s a closer look.
This summer, the 36-year-old non-profit youth organization launches its 36th summer of enrichment programming, offering over 110 unique programs. Academy favorites such as Camp Telluride, Li’l Wranglers, Bike-Boat-Belay, Outdoor Leadership Challenge, Havasupai, Llama Trekking, and Circus Holus Bolus are all back. The popular Mudd Butts Mystery Theater Troupe, a month-long theater intensive for young actors ages 9-12, celebrates its 30th anniversary this summer. Added to these classic Academy offerings are new and creative adventures such as Pedal ‘n’ Paddle, Surf the Labyrinth, Harvest Fest, and Lunar Llamas.
“The essence of Telluride Academy is deeply rooted in discovery, adventure and fun,” explains Demas. “We are committed to providing an inclusive and unplugged environment that offers adventure and unique opportunities for learning. For example, students may learn about our local watershed and the birds that fly overhead during a paddle trip on the San Miguel River. They may learn how to safely belay a friend while rock climbing, how to fix a flat tire while mountain biking, or how to create a healthy and delicious meal in the backcountry. Each of our 60+ Field Instructors and Specialists strive to create educational hands-on experiences for our Students that lay a foundation for a lifetime of physical activity and exploration, as well as respect and preservation of our natural world.”
Academy Program Director, Luke Brown, continues to explain:
“The Telluride region has so much to offer. We don’t have to venture too far from our Summer campus at the Telluride High School to provide wonderful experiences for our students and through collaborations with organizations such as the San Miguel Watershed Education Program, Pinhead Institute and Telluride Historic Museum, our young people are not only having a blast exploring the outdoors, but they are also learning so much along the way. Whether with bikes, boats, belays or boots, every student leaves their Academy experience a bit stronger, more confident, with new skills, new friendships and a sense of accomplishment.”
From single-day drop-in programs to two-week outdoor adventures and one-month-long theater intensives, there is indeed something for everyone. So if you haven’t made summer plans for your children yet, visit the Academy’s website to learn more about its programs and sign-up while space is available.
Through the generous support of many of private donors, grantors and local businesses, the organization is able to award hundreds of need-based scholarships to local children as well as provide support to children with disabilities providing EVERY CHILD the opportunity for an amazing summer. At Telluride Academy all are WELCOME, all who wish to PARTICIPATE can, and BELONG. This unique event, their 1st Annual Snowshoe Scramble will support initiatives like financial assistance.
To view a complete schedule of events for the Snowshoe Scramble as well as for their summer programs, visit the Academy’s website at www.tellurideacademy.org
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