Ski Education for Adults
Naturalist on Skis
Come explore the untraveled forests at Crosscut and deepen your connection to place through our guided Naturalist on Skis sessions this winter! These sessions aim to connect our community with nature as participants learn to navigate the winter woods as a naturalist, reading the landscape and identifying the life that makes these lands so special.
We can accommodate beginner to advanced skiers, and no prior naturalist knowledge is necessary or expected. These classes will all be at a slow pace, but participants should be comfortable skiing over variable terrain (groomed trails and off trail in the powder). Get ready for some fun adventures through the snow!
Dates + Weekly Descriptions
Each session is different - join us for one or all of them!
January 13th: Getting to Know the Neighbors
In this session we will focus on acquainting ourselves with the common species seen every day at Crosscut Mountain Sports Center. Participants will learn to identify the common tree species in this environment, and through exercises in observation and listening to birdsong we will determine which animal species inhabit these lands. By the end of the class, participants will be able to greet their forest neighbors by name, so they may begin to form their own sense of community with the natural world around them.
January 27th - Signs of Life
This class will require participants to put on their detective hats as we head into the forest in search of clues. A scrap of hair here, footprints there, the signs of life are abundant at Crosscut. Participants will not only learn to identify animals from their tracks and other signs - they will also begin to read the snow to determine how our animal neighbors spend their time in the winter.
February 17th - Winter Birds
In this session, participants will learn to explore nature with keen eyes and ears as they search for birds. The frozen forests at Crosscut are home to a diversity of birds willing and able to cope with the harsh winters. Through this session, participants will learn some of the basics needed to begin identifying birds by sight and sound, and discover exciting adaptations that birds employ to survive.
March 2nd - The Spirit of the Woods
Skiing can only happen thanks to the amazing beings that grant us access to their land. What makes skiing magical is the scent of conifer needles, the whistle of flying birds, and the sparkle of sunlight on fresh snow. In this session, we will employ a variety of contemplative practices and creative writing exercises to enhance our appreciation of the world around us.