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Bring your homeschool class to KMTA’s SnowSchool for a full day of snowshoe-based science and winter skills. Kids dig snow pits, build tunnels, and learn watershed science across Girdwood, Turnagain Pass, Devil’s Creek, or Seward.
Bring your homeschool class to KMTA’s SnowSchool for a full day of snowshoe-based science and winter skills. Kids dig snow pits, build tunnels, and learn watershed science across Girdwood, Turnagain Pass, Devil’s Creek, or Seward.
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Operated by KMTA · Anchorage, Alaska
SnowSchool Field Trip- Homeschool Groups brings classrooms out of four walls and into Southcentral Alaska’s winter landscape. Operated by KMTA’s SnowSchool program within the KMTA NHA, this full school-day field trip uses snowshoeing and hands-on projects to teach snow science, hydrology, and winter safety. Field trips run at a number of accessible program sites — Girdwood (Moose Meadows or Girdwood School trails), Turnagain Pass (Center Ridge Recreation Area), Devil's Creek Ski Area, and Seward (Bear Lake area or Primrose Campground) — giving students a chance to learn across the varied mountain, forest, and coastal-influenced environments of the region.
On arrival, students transition from packed lunches and warm layers to a curriculum built around observation and experimentation. The day’s activities rotate through stations that include digging snow pits to examine layers and crystals, building snow tunnels and survival quinzees, constructing miniature watersheds to watch melt and runoff, and playing games that teach balance and navigation on snowshoes. For older students, optional modules include Winter Survival and Avalanche Awareness & Safety, which present real-world skills and critical thinking exercises. Instructors provide snowshoes and program materials; a gear library helps bridge gaps for students needing extra layers, boots, or gloves.
What makes SnowSchool stand out is its combination of place-based science and active play. The Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm landscape is a living laboratory: coastal mountain slopes feed snowmelt into braided streams and lakes, wind-sculpted cornices and avalanche paths illustrate how winter shapes terrain, and subalpine forests offer classroom backdrops where students can study shelter-building and animal tracks. The program’s emphasis on inquiry-based learning encourages students to ask why a pit shows weak layers, how watershed shape affects runoff, and what human visitors can do to reduce impact.
Logistics are school-friendly: programs typically last 3–4 hours within a full flexible school day to accommodate buses. Groups run from 15 to 60 students; pre- and post-visit curriculum support is available. Participants must bring packed lunches, water, and basic winter clothing—KMTA supplies specialized equipment and instruction.
For homeschool groups and K–12 classes seeking an experiential winter science day, SnowSchool offers a structured but playful route into Alaska’s snow systems. It’s an opportunity to translate classroom charts into cold, tactile lessons in snow tunnels and watershed models, leaving students with sticky mittens, bright memories, and a deeper sense of how snow connects mountain to sea. Teachers report stronger retention when students manipulate the materials themselves, and KMTA’s instructors frame questions so learners build hypotheses from observations. The program also models low-impact winter etiquette—staying on durable routes, packing out trash, and respecting wildlife—so visits leave both students and the landscape in better condition. Scheduling is flexible to match school calendars and bus logistics and community learning outcomes too.
moderate.
3–6 hours (full school day; 3–4 hours on-site).
Participants should be able to walk in snow for several hours and handle short uphill sections while wearing snowshoes.
Programs are designed for K–12; specific modules like Avalanche Awareness are for high school students, while Winter Survival is recommended for grades 5 and up.
On-site rotations are typically 3–4 hours within a flexible full school day schedule to accommodate bus timing.
Yes—KMTA supplies snowshoes and most program materials; a gear library can supplement missing student outerwear.
Transportation to and from the meeting site is the responsibility of the school or homeschool group.
Programs run at Girdwood (Moose Meadows or Girdwood School trails), Turnagain Pass (Center Ridge Recreation Area), Devil's Creek Ski Area, and Seward (Bear Lake area or Primrose Campground).
Pack a bag lunch, full water bottle, base layers, winter boots, snow pants, insulated jacket, hat, gloves, and a face covering or buff.
SnowSchool is part of KMTA’s education offerings across the Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area, connecting students to regional winter landscapes.
Programs emphasize low-impact winter etiquette—staying on durable routes, packing out trash, and teaching students how to minimize their footprint on fragile snow ecosystems.
KMTA (Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm) runs outdoor education and youth programs based in Seward, Alaska. KMTA offers seasonal camps and weekly programs that connect children to local wetlands, forests, and marine environments through hands-on activities, art, and science. Programs emphasize outdoor skills, team building, and environmental stewardship while providing guided outings such as paddleboarding, sea kayaking, cross-country skiing, and ice skating. Programs are targeted to specific age groups and grade levels: Fresh Air Fridays serves elementary-age children with sessions in Seward and Moose Pass, a Middle School expansion provides activities suited to older youth, and Coastal Connections Camp offers multi-day exploration of the Kenai Mountains and Turnagain Arm. Activities include time capsule creation, group art projects, and supervised outdoor excursions designed to foster community pride and practical skills. KMTA’s programming focuses on safe, supervised experiences in Alaska’s natural settings and aims to inspire curiosity about local ecosystems. Families can expect structured activities that combine recreation, education, and creative expression. KMTA is recognized within the outdoor education community and featured resources list the organization among regional youth outdoor programs. For parents seeking experiential, place-based learning opportunities in Seward and nearby Moose Pass, KMTA provides a range of seasonal and weekly options that emphasize connection to the landscape and community involvement.
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