Opportunities

Land Programs

Set in the heart of the Green Mountains, a short ride from the Adirondacks of New York, and the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Saint Michael’s offers access to some the best hiking opportunities in New England.

Whether it’s a relaxed foliage hike, a sunset summit, or an intense multi-day experience, our emphasis is on safe, responsible adventuring. We do this by encouraging students to develop a sense of environmental stewardship thorough Leave No Trace principles and ethics. In addition, our instructors are trained comprehensively in technical outdoor skills through:

  • Extensive in-field training
  • Thorough classroom preparation
  • SOLO Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder or EMT

Climbing

Whether you are a beginner or advanced climber, you’ll find rock, ice, and mountaineering opportunities with the St. Mike’s Wilderness Program. The climbing program is based on developing strong fundamental skills and enhancing the skills of students with previous experience. We guide climbing adventures for first-timers and for those ready to test their abilities at the next level. On every climbing adventure you are accompanied by at least two certified student instructors. All senior climbing instructors have gone through extensive training including:

See rock climbing with the SMCWP from SMCWP on Vimeo

All necessary equipment is provided through the St. Mike’s Outfitter. If you have any questions regarding any climbing opportunities at St. Mike’s, feel free to contact Climbing Coordinator Demery Coppola ’21 at dcoppola@mail.freoreport.net.

Paddlesports

The Saint Michael’s Wilderness Program offers a variety of paddling opportunities, including sea kayak touring, rough water sea paddling, surf kayaking, river paddling and whitewater kayaking in addition, we offer instructional opportunities for beginner through advanced paddlers. Our student centered programs focus on core principals of movement in context.. Our staff and student instructors are trained to industry standards in their respective disciplines. All lead paddle sports instructors are:

  • Certified SOLO Wilderness First Responders or Wilderness EMTs
  • Have completed personal skills/leadershipassessments through either the American Canoe Association or the British Canoe Union
  • Participate annually in a seven day whitewater/coastal kayak staff training in Vermont and coastal Maine.
  • Certified ACA Level 3 Coastal Kayak Instructors (sea/coastal kayaking).
  • Certified ACA Level 3 or 4 Whitewater Kayak Instructors (river/whitewater kayaking).

Many of our programs require no prior experience, and the Wilderness Program provides all of the technical equipment; this includes kayaks, paddles, helmets, wetsuits/drysuits and PFD’s. In addition, expedition programs are outfitted with state-of-the-sport camping equipment.

Check out a video of one of our kayak clinics. For more information, contact Paddling Coordinator Sarah McLellan ’21 at smclellan@mail.freoreport.net.

Mountain Biking

Saint Michael’s College is situated amongst some of the best mountain biking in the North East, with high quality riding right from campus. Our focus is on building core riding skills in addition, to decision making, route selection, repairing mechanicals in the field and minimizing environmental impact. We provide beginner through intermediate guided rides and instructional programs using state of the sport equipment that is maintained by our mountain bike staff in the Wilderness Programs bike shop.

All of our lead mountain bike instructors and guides have completed extensive training which includes:

  • SOLO Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness EMT
  • BICP Level 1 Ride Guide
  • Annual six day staff training

All necessary equipment is provided through the St. Mike’s Outfitter. If you have any questions regarding any mountain biking opportunities at St. Mike’s feel free to contact our Mountain Biking Coordinator Nicole Conner ’20 at nconner@mail.freoreport.net.

Ski and Ride

Saint Michael’s is only an hour away from the best backcountry ski and ride destinations in the Green Mountains. Students participating in spring break trips have the opportunity to choose from locations all over the United States and Canada.

Our program works in small groups to ensure that every rider receives personalized training. This makes the sport accessible for beginning riders while providing intermediate and expert riders with the opportunity to improve their skills. And, with an outfitter that carries splitboards, skis, packs, and women’s-specific gear, St. Mike’s makes it easier than ever to gear up for your next trip to the mountain.

All of our ski and ride instructors:

  • Have passed the Saint Michael’s College Wilderness Program Ski and Ride Instructors examination
  • Are certified SOLO Wilderness First Responders

In addition to these standard Wilderness Program qualifications, our ski and ride instructors complete a strenuous yearlong certification process that includes partner rescue, avalanche awareness and navigation skills. Our lead instructor is an American mountain guide aspirant and for extended trips we are joined by Steve Charest, who is a certified ski mountaineering guide. We have staff members with backcountry training beginning at AIARE level I Avalanche training and ranging to Level III Avalanche Certified Practitioner.

For more information, contact Ski and Ride Coordinator Sophie DeFries ’20 at sdefries@mail.freoreport.net.

 

Land Programs

Set in the heart of the Green Mountains, a short ride from the Adirondacks of New York, and the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Saint Michael’s offers access to some the best hiking opportunities in New England.

Whether it’s a relaxed foliage hike, a sunset summit, or an intense multi-day experience, our emphasis is on safe, responsible adventuring. We do this by encouraging students to develop a sense of environmental stewardship thorough Leave No Trace principles and ethics. In addition, our instructors are trained comprehensively in technical outdoor skills through:

  • Extensive in-field training
  • Thorough classroom preparation
  • SOLO Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder or EMT

Climbing

Whether you are a beginner or advanced climber, you’ll find rock, ice, and mountaineering opportunities with the St. Mike’s Wilderness Program. The climbing program is based on developing strong fundamental skills and enhancing the skills of students with previous experience. We guide climbing adventures for first-timers and for those ready to test their abilities at the next level. On every climbing adventure you are accompanied by at least two certified student instructors. All senior climbing instructors have gone through extensive training including:

See rock climbing with the SMCWP from SMCWP on Vimeo

All necessary equipment is provided through the St. Mike’s Outfitter. If you have any questions regarding any climbing opportunities at St. Mike’s, feel free to contact Climbing Coordinator Demery Coppola ’21 at dcoppola@mail.freoreport.net.

Paddlesports

The Saint Michael’s Wilderness Program offers a variety of paddling opportunities, including sea kayak touring, rough water sea paddling, surf kayaking, river paddling and whitewater kayaking in addition, we offer instructional opportunities for beginner through advanced paddlers. Our student centered programs focus on core principals of movement in context.. Our staff and student instructors are trained to industry standards in their respective disciplines. All lead paddle sports instructors are:

  • Certified SOLO Wilderness First Responders or Wilderness EMTs
  • Have completed personal skills/leadershipassessments through either the American Canoe Association or the British Canoe Union
  • Participate annually in a seven day whitewater/coastal kayak staff training in Vermont and coastal Maine.
  • Certified ACA Level 3 Coastal Kayak Instructors (sea/coastal kayaking).
  • Certified ACA Level 3 or 4 Whitewater Kayak Instructors (river/whitewater kayaking).

Many of our programs require no prior experience, and the Wilderness Program provides all of the technical equipment; this includes kayaks, paddles, helmets, wetsuits/drysuits and PFD’s. In addition, expedition programs are outfitted with state-of-the-sport camping equipment.

Check out a video of one of our kayak clinics. For more information, contact Paddling Coordinator Sarah McLellan ’21 at smclellan@mail.freoreport.net.

Mountain Biking

Saint Michael’s College is situated amongst some of the best mountain biking in the North East, with high quality riding right from campus. Our focus is on building core riding skills in addition, to decision making, route selection, repairing mechanicals in the field and minimizing environmental impact. We provide beginner through intermediate guided rides and instructional programs using state of the sport equipment that is maintained by our mountain bike staff in the Wilderness Programs bike shop.

All of our lead mountain bike instructors and guides have completed extensive training which includes:

  • SOLO Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness EMT
  • BICP Level 1 Ride Guide
  • Annual six day staff training

All necessary equipment is provided through the St. Mike’s Outfitter. If you have any questions regarding any mountain biking opportunities at St. Mike’s feel free to contact our Mountain Biking Coordinator Nicole Conner ’20 at nconner@mail.freoreport.net.

Ski and Ride

Saint Michael’s is only an hour away from the best backcountry ski and ride destinations in the Green Mountains. Students participating in spring break trips have the opportunity to choose from locations all over the United States and Canada.

Our program works in small groups to ensure that every rider receives personalized training. This makes the sport accessible for beginning riders while providing intermediate and expert riders with the opportunity to improve their skills. And, with an outfitter that carries splitboards, skis, packs, and women’s-specific gear, St. Mike’s makes it easier than ever to gear up for your next trip to the mountain.

All of our ski and ride instructors:

  • Have passed the Saint Michael’s College Wilderness Program Ski and Ride Instructors examination
  • Are certified SOLO Wilderness First Responders

In addition to these standard Wilderness Program qualifications, our ski and ride instructors complete a strenuous yearlong certification process that includes partner rescue, avalanche awareness and navigation skills. Our lead instructor is an American mountain guide aspirant and for extended trips we are joined by Steve Charest, who is a certified ski mountaineering guide. We have staff members with backcountry training beginning at AIARE level I Avalanche training and ranging to Level III Avalanche Certified Practitioner.

For more information, contact Ski and Ride Coordinator Sophie DeFries ’20 at sdefries@mail.freoreport.net.