Search Results for: Outdoor Recreation Leadership

Outdoor Recreation Leadership - Tuition/Costs

Outdoor Recreation Leadership Tuition and Costs

Don’t go deep into debt. Find your affordable education here!

Thanks to the financial support of our mountain communities, Colorado Mountain College offers a quality education at a price you can afford. Our tuition is one of the lowest in Colorado, and is lower than in-state tuition in many other states.

Tuition & Costs for 2022 - 2023 Academic Year

In-district Tuition

$95/credit-hour
Associate & Bachelor's

$120/credit-hour
BA Education

$135/credit-hour
BS Nursing

In-state Tuition

$195/credit-hour
Associate & Bachelor's

$220/credit-hour
BA Education

$235/credit-hour
BS Nursing

Out-of-state Tuition

$480/credit-hour
Associate & Bachelor's

$505/credit-hour
BA Education

$520/credit-hour
BS Nursing

Summer 2022 Tuition Rates

map thumbnail: CMC District

In-district Tuition

$90/credit-hour
Associate & Bachelor's

$115/credit-hour
BA Education

$130/credit-hour
BS Nursing

graphic - CMC in-state map

In-state Tuition

$190/credit-hour
Associate & Bachelor's

$215/credit-hour
BA Education

$230/credit-hour
BS Nursing

map thumbnail: CMC District

Service Area Tuition

$180/credit-hour
Associate & Bachelor's

$205/credit-hour
BA Education

$220/credit-hour
BS Nursing

map showing WUE states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Western States/WUE

$285/credit-hour
Associate & Bachelor's

$310/credit-hour
BA Education

Out-of-state Tuition

$466/credit-hour
Associate & Bachelor's

$491/credit-hour
BA Education

$506/credit-hour
BS Nursing

Colorado Mountain College Special Rates

Students are permitted only one tuition discount while enrolled at the institution.

Discounted rates for students within the CMC Service Area

CMC Service Area Rates

The Service Area Classification provides reduced tuition rates for those living outside the CMC district but within the region served by CMC. This area includes Chaffee, Grand and Jackson counties.

Our service area does not include the southern part of Routt County which is part of the Colorado Northwestern Community College’s service area.

2020-2021 Service Area Tuition Rates Per Credit Hour

Associate & Bachelor's	BA Education	BS Nursing
$175	$200	$215

To qualify for CMC’s service area status for tuition purposes, you must:

Be a Colorado state resident
Be domiciled in the three-county (Chaffee, Grand and Jackson) Colorado Mountain College service area for a minimum period of 32 days prior to the first day of the semester
If you are under the age of 23, you must prove emancipation from your parents or legal guardian if they reside out of the service or in-district area.
If you attend CMC as an out-of-state student and gain in-state status while residing in the service area, you may earn service area status at the time of your in-state classification.

CMC District Map

CMC District: blue overlay. CMC Service Area: purple overlay.

All discounts are approved by the board of trustees on an annual basis and subject to change or be discontinued at any time.

Special rates for students from western states

Rates for veteran and military families

Veterans and Military Families Discount Rate

To honor your service, the Colorado Mountain College Board of Trustees is pleased to offer qualifying veterans and military families a 25% tuition discount off your tuition classification rate. This discount is for veterans, active-duty military, their spouses and dependents under 23-years-of-age. To learn more about the discount, please visit:

Veterans

Active Duty

For more information contact the Coordinator of Military Services at military@coloradomtn.edu.

All discounts are approved by the board of trustees on an annual basis and subject to change or be discontinued at any time.

Discounted rates for recent ESL or GED graduates

Continuing Opportunity Tuition Rate

Students who have continuously resided in the CMC service area for at least 24 months and have successfully completed the English as a Second Language (ESL) curriculum or a General Education Diploma (GED) at CMC, as attested by CMC staff, will be charged the current in-state tuition rate for the courses in which they enroll as a part of their bachelor’s, associate or certificate degree program.

Qualifying students must be 23 years of age or older and must not be a resident or have domicile in a region outside of the CMC service area.
Contact an Admissions Representative to learn more.

All discounts are approved by the board of trustees on an annual basis and subject to change or be discontinued at any time.

ASSET program

Discounted Rates for the Native American Ute Nation

In-state tuition for Team USA Olympic and Paralympic Athletes

District employer sponsored rate

Your employer may help you qualify for in-state rates

The District Employer Sponsored Rate enables Colorado Mountain College to provide educational services for local tax-paying businesses who are paying for their employees’ credit courses without penalizing them for employees who do not meet state residency requirements.

Under this classification, the employer paying the tuition of the student must be an employer in our district and set up as a third-party organization for billing purposes, and then can pay the in-district rate for employees who are in-state or out-of-state residents involved in job-related training activities.

Contact an Admissions Representative to learn more.

All discounts are approved by the board of trustees on an annual basis and subject to change or be discontinued at any time.

Rates for second home owners

Discounted rates for non-residents with homes in CMC districts

Students who are classified as non-residents (out-of-state) but who own a residence in the Colorado Mountain College district are allowed to register for up to 3 credits per semester at a rate equivalent to in-state rate. This can include one three-credit course or a combination of one-credit or two-credit courses adding up to three credits total. Or, students may enroll in one 4 or 5 credit course at this rate. (Students cannot take a series of courses that add up to either 4 or 5 credits with this rate.)

The tuition reduction is limited to 100 and 200 level courses, and cannot be used for online courses exclusively.

This Second Homeowner discount is only for Homeowners not dependents of homeowners.

If an out-of-state resident student takes more than the allowed number of credits within one semester, all credits (including the original credits) will be charged at the regular out-of-state rate. The tuition reduction is limited to 100 and 200 level courses, and cannot be used for online courses exclusively.

Contact an Admissions Representative to learn more.

All discounts are approved by the board of trustees on an annual basis and subject to change or be discontinued at any time.

Discounted Rates for Seniors

NEXT: HOW TO APPLY

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Outdoor Recreation Leadership

Academic Pathway | Outdoor Industry

Associate of General Studies in Outdoor Recreation Leadership

Outdoor Recreation Leadership: Earn a Hands-on Outdoor Recreation Degree in the Colorado Mountains

Follow your passion — live and learn at the highest elevation campus in the U.S.

Follow your passion into the mountains, canyons, and rivers of the American West. As you earn your AGS in Outdoor Recreation Leadership, you will learn wilderness skills and build confidence in technical outdoor situations. We emphasize low-impact techniques for responsible environmental stewardship, as well as human skills for effectively leading groups in unique, outdoor settings.

Real-world courses expose you to technical skills, including mountaineering, emergency medicine, rock climbing, snow travel, avalanche safety, and whitewater rafting. CMC students are in high demand for outdoor jobs as raft, ski, & climbing guides, park rangers, therapeutic instructors, wilderness program managers, and outdoor educators.

Specialized Training

Learn outdoor leadership skills with pack on or paddle in-hand. You will practice leading and following others while traveling on high mountain peaks, glaciated valleys, the canyons of the Southwest, wild rivers, and beautiful desert environments. Earn industry standard certifications like Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace trainer, swiftwater rescue, and more.

Associate Degree Program

You can earn an associate degree in two years. Our hands-on approach to learning Outdoor Recreation Leadership prepares you to enter the job market immediately following graduation or stay right here and complete a bachelor’s degree in Sustainability Studies or Business Administration.

Mountain learning, mountain living in Leadville, Colorado

Leadville, Colorado is the place if you love the outdoors. Our campus in Leadville specializes in outdoor and environmental programs in a spectacular mountain setting. With over 250 acres, the campus has miles of cross country ski trails that are maintained by students in the Ski Area Operations program.

Our residence halls offer spectacular views of the two highest mountains in Colorado. Classrooms feature state-of-the art technology and computer labs. There's also a cybercafe/bookstore.

ORL Photo Gallery

Request Program Information

Apply Now

Contact Admissions

graphic: Outdoor Industry in Colorado, $62.5 billion per year

Outdoor Recreation Leadership Program

REAL-WORLD LEARNING

Risk management
Recreation programming
Group development
Leadership theory
Communication & confict resolution
Leave No Trace

Locations

The Outdoor Recreation Leadership is offered at:

Leadville

If you live closer to a campus that is not listed above, you may be able to take some classes locally. Contact your campus for more information.

All or part of this operation is conducted on Public Lands and Waters under special permits and agreements from the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Curriculum

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes are what we expect each student will learn while earning a degree or certificate. Meeting these learning outcomes is how we assess our performance as a college. Our learning outcomes support both important career skills and future success as a student.

Upon completing the Outdoor Recreation Leadership (AGS) program, CMC students will be able to:

Demonstrate mastery of backcountry travel skills, including navigation, safety and risk awareness, and self-care.
Demonstrate the ability to use good quality judgement and critical thinking in field situations leading to competent program and personal risk management.
Demonstrate appropriate leadership styles and competency in facilitating group issues in either backcountry or front country situations.
Plan an expedition of any duration, incorporating all necessary planning and logistical elements.
Convey environmental literacy with respect to Leave No Trace philosophies and practices, natural and cultural history, and environmental ethics.
Utilize effective outdoor teaching methods to maximize the transfer of skills and knowledge to others.
Communicate effectively using oral, written, and electronic means to succinctly convey information.
Engage effectively with people who do not necessarily share similar heritage, religious views, sexual orientation, gender preference or socio-economic status.

Get Started

Academics and outdoor adventures are both integral to the Outdoor Recreation Leadership program at Colorado Mountain College

Colorado Mountain College provides outdoor gear and safety equipment such as ropes, harnesses, hardware, tents and cooking equipment.

Students applying to the Outdoor Recreation Leadership program must demonstrate college-level proficiency skills through ACT scores, college transcripts or the Accuplacer placement test, administered by Colorado Mountain College. We recommend that you take one of these tests as soon as possible because inadequate skills in reading, writing and mathematics may require you to enroll in developmental courses. This may affect your acceptance into the program.

Students accepted into the college's vocational programs must be physically, mentally, and emotionally self-supportive with reasonable accommodations. If there is a concern about meeting the physical and academic standard, students need to contact the Access Coordinator who will determine the student's ability to participate in this program.

Colorado Mountain College is an open enrollment college. Transfer students should have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale at previous colleges.

Essential Eligibility Requirements

This program has certain physical and academic standards which you will be required to meet before you are admitted to the program. Students accepted into the college's vocational programs must be physically, mentally, and emotionally self-supportive with reasonable accommodations. If there is a concern about meeting the physical and academic standard, students need to contact the Access Coordinator who will determine the student's ability to participate in this program.

Careers

Prepare for Careers and Outdoor Recreation Jobs with an ORL Degree

Start a career or move on to a higher degree with the Outdoor Recreation Leadership program at Colorado Mountain College

Our hands-on approach to learning Outdoor Recreation Leadership prepares you to enter the job market immediately following graduation, to transfer to a four-year institution, or stay right here and complete a Bachelors degree in Sustainability Studies or Business.

Colorado Mountain College ORL students become:

Adventure travel planners
Nature and outdoor center guides
Wilderness instructors
Forestry technicians
Outdoor recreation retail business owners or managers
Resort recreation or camp leaders

With education beyond Colorado Mountain College, you can work toward other outdoor positions in research, management and academics.

The field of Outdoor Recreation Leadership is booming. From humble beginnings, the American outdoor field has expanded from one high-adventure school in 1963 to over 10,000 today. The outdoors is big and you can be part of it! The demand for leisure and recreation is increasing and qualified people are needed to facilitate trips and activities all over the country, and the world.

Find a job after graduation
The ORL program prepares you to enter a variety of outdoor careers directly after graduation. Graduates have certificates in Wilderness First Responder (medical), Avalanche Forecasting Level I and Level II (evaluation of safe winter terrain), Leave No Trace (minimum impact camping and travel techniques), and a Swift Water Rescue certificate (moving water rescue). All in all, you will be well prepared to enter the exciting world of outdoor leadership.

Transfer to a four-year institution
Graduates of this program have the opportunity to continue their study at a four-year college or university. Articulation agreements have been completed with Colorado State University-Pueblo and Western State Colorado University. These agreements allow Outdoor Recreation Leadership graduates to transfer directly. Articulation agreements are also being developed with other institutions.

Stay at CMC for a Bachelors degree
Stay at CMC to pursue a Bachelors degree in Sustainability Studies or Business Administration. Once you experience the Rocky Mountains, believe me you are going to want to stay around.

Related Degrees

Program News

1000 Words: Air Force cadets boat, climb, bike and backpack at CMC Leadville

Mountains serve as classroom for Air Force cadets learning leadership

August 20, 2021 By cmctestgenesis

Mountains serve as classroom for Air Force cadets learning leadership

This story appeared in the Aug. 4 edition of the Leadville Herald Democrat

Col. Clarence Lukes Jr., the vice commandant of cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy, practices a brace stroke during CMC's outdoor leadership program. Photo by Patrick Bilow/Leadville Herald Democrat

By Patrick Bilow, Leadville Herald reporter

A group of 90 United States Air Force Academy cadets from around the world are taking to the trails, rivers and crags of the Upper Arkansas River Valley this summer. Known as the Outdoor Leadership Development Program, the experience is offered through a collaboration with Colorado Mountain College and is designed to teach cadets leadership skills while improving social and emotion intelligence.

“The Naval Academy and West Point, they have the universities and corporations of the East Coast,” said Lt. Col. David Huston, who works within the United States Air Force Academy’s (USAFA) Center For Character and Leadership Development. “But we are the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs with Leadville and Buena Vista practically in our backyard. There’s so much to learn from here.”

Last week, Huston, Vice Commandant of Cadets Col. Clarence Lukes Jr. and about 15 cadets learned watercraft skills near Buena Vista before playing kayak soccer in Cottonwood Creek. Many of the participants, including Lukes Jr., had never been in a kayak before. Meanwhile, cadets who had already been in the water were mountain biking in Leadville, rock climbing in Buena Vista or backpacking around French Mountain in the Sawatch Range.

The cadets, all juniors and seniors at USAFA who came in three groups of 30 throughout the summer, are staying in dorm rooms at the Colorado Mountain College (CMC) Leadville campus, and will earn academic credit as CMC students this summer. Last year only eight cadets enrolled in the program, due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, and also because 2020 was the program’s first year. After USAFA and CMC discussed expanding the initiative this year, about 90 cadets either volunteered or were mandated to participate this summer.

“I like to imagine cadets, who CMC can now consider alumni, flying above us in aircraft after they’ve graduated,” said Matt Gianneschi, chief operating officer and chief of staff at CMC. “It’s really great for us to be able to make some contribution to USAFA and the next generation of our nation’s military.”

According to Huston, that next generation needs to develop values like those emphasized in CMC’s outdoor recreation leadership program, which teaches CMC students group development, leadership theory and conflict resolution. In 2019, Huston approached CMC with the idea to collaborate. Since then, program directors have developed a summer curriculum that not only teaches cadets recreation skills, like kayaking, but also social and emotional intelligence in team dynamics. Throughout the three-week program, instructors at USAFA and CMC alternated in demonstrating these values.

Air Force cadets at the put-in at the shore of Cottonwood Creek during the outdoor leadership program, in partnership with CMC Leadville. Photo by Patrick Bilow

“Those interpersonal skills are the emphasis of this program,” said Amy Smallwood, associate dean of academics and student affairs at CMC in Leadville. “We’re working with cadets on broadening their character framework to include things like active listening, communication, transparency and trust — all things that are necessary for these types of recreation activities where there is inherent risk involved.”

Another trait that Huston said the program works to improve is growth mindset, a concept created by psychologist Carol Dweck in 2015 which asserts that people can develop any ability through dedication and hard work. Last week, growth mindset development was especially evident as a few straight-faced, white-knuckled cadets, who had never been in a kayak before, learned to wet exit their watercraft. Although some were skeptical before tipping into the water, all cadets were comfortable enough for kayak soccer just hours later.

So far, cadets seem to be learning from the program. According to a survey of last year’s eight cadet participants, nearly all said that they’d improved aspects of their growth mindset and learned more about their strengths and weaknesses as team members and leaders. Huston said that this year’s cadets have echoed similar sentiments.

Chanyuthea Nou, a squadron 40 class of 2023 cadet from Cambodia, said that the program pushed him out of his comfort zone and taught him more about himself. When Nou and his group went backpacking near Leadville, they got lost and the cadet helped track down the hidden trail. Nou also took to mountain biking and showed off a few leg scars from a hard fall in Buena Vista.

“These are things I do for fun already,” said Andrew Puseman, a squadron 26 class of 2022 cadet from Bailey, “but it’s been really cool to have the opportunity to bike and climb with new people.” Puseman, along with Chia-Hsiang Shen, a squadron 32 class of 2023 cadet, also spent a lot of time along Harrison Avenue, visiting the Manhattan Bar and the Silver Dollar Saloon, and walking to Tacos La Mina for one-dollar tacos on Tuesdays. “Everyone is really kind,” said Shen. “I’ve really enjoyed being here.”

With the program having grown significantly in its second year, representatives of both USAFA and CMC hope to continue the summer courses. “I’m not sure that outdoor learning was necessarily the intention when USAFA was built in Colorado 70 years ago,” said Lukes Jr. “But this is such a valuable experience for these cadets, and I’d like to see it continued.”

Colorado Mountain College puts renewed focus on outdoor industry programs

June 11, 2021 By cmctestgenesis

Chris Castilian has been named a strategic advisor for Colorado Mountain College’s outdoor industry programs. Photo by Evan Semón

Colorado Mountain College puts renewed focus on outdoor industry programs

New strategic advisor to help lead CMC into an era of innovation and inclusivity

Chris Castilian has joined Colorado Mountain College as a strategic advisor to better position the college as a premier educational partner in the outdoor industry.

Castilian has long been a staple in Colorado’s outdoor industry bringing 20 years of experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors. He recently announced his departure from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) after serving four years as executive director.

Prior to leading GOCO, Castilian was appointed by Governor John Hickenlooper to the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commission, serving as chair in 2015-16. In previous roles, he was deputy chief of staff to Governor Bill Owens and served as executive director of Colorado Counties, Inc.

In addition to and complementary to his new role with CMC, Castilian will become the CEO of the National Ski Patrol on July 12.

“It is such a timely and exciting occasion to welcome Chris to the team at Colorado Mountain College,” said CMC President & CEO Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser. “His experience, breadth of relationships and creative thinking will push the college to work even more effectively with employers to better prepare our students to become the outdoor industry leaders of tomorrow.”

Castilian’s scope of work includes coordinating CMC’s various outdoor-industry related programs across multiple campuses and a large geographic region. He will work to better align CMC’s academic and training pathways to provide students with meaningful short-term (internships, apprenticeships, etc.) and long-term (career) placements.

“My charge is to amplify the amazing work the college is already doing in Colorado’s mountain communities,” explained Castilian. “CMC was an early leader in outdoor education and has decades of experience not only on the academic side of learning but how important it is to provide practical, affordable and relevant education and training. Frankly, it’s the breath of fresh air Colorado’s economy needs right now.”

In his new strategic advisory role, Castilian will also assist CMC leadership on developing strategies that seek to diversify the outdoor industry workforce pipeline and serve as a model for access, equity and inclusion.

“Having been involved in the outdoor industry for many years, it’s great to see CMC take outdoor industry workforce training to the next level and add someone with Chris’ depth of experience to the team,” said Len Zanni, co-owner at Big Agnes, based in Steamboat Springs.

“I’ve interacted with Chris in various ways over the years and it’s clear that he has his finger on the pulse of the outdoor industry, conservation, public lands stewardship and equitable recreation here in Colorado. We’re excited to see where CMC takes its revitalized leadership approach in the coming years.”

Nathan Fey, director of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office called Castilian “an unashamed ambassador” of Colorado and all of its residents.” He added Castilian is best situated to advance CMC through strong partnerships, a practiced eye towards policy and legislation, and a commitment to civic engagement.

"Chris brings to CMC a depth of experience and personal passion within the outdoor industry, as well as an impressive career that has centered around supporting businesses and communities across Colorado,” said Fey. “This is exactly what is needed to strategically position CMC as the institutional leader in meeting the real needs of our outdoor economy.”

Castilian is a fourth-generation Coloradan, and is an avid outdoor enthusiast. He has completed the Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race eleven times and several other ultra-endurance mountain bike races, including the Breck Epic.

Wright Collegiate Challenge honors CMC team for outdoor industry collaboration

May 11, 2021 By Carrie Click

Wright Collegiate Challenge honors CMC team for outdoor industry collaboration

This press release was distributed collaboratively by Colorado Mountain College and The Wright.

CMC Leadville's Team Astraios and their faculty advisors. Photo by Andy Colwell

A team of Colorado Mountain College Leadville outdoor education and leadership students captured top honors with its Best-in-Class award for a 12-week light pollution project and collaboration with San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLVGO).

Now in its third year, The Wright Collegiate Challenge culminated with a virtual event on April 19. Ten teams from three Colorado colleges partnered with leading businesses and nonprofit organizations to address current-day challenges within the outdoor recreation industry.

CMC’s team, dubbed Team Astraios (the Greek Titan god of the stars and planets), centered on one of SLVGO’s goals – to create the world’s largest dark-sky reserve right in the San Luis Valley. The dark-sky movement is a worldwide campaign focused on reducing light pollution.

CMC’s team – composed of Ruben Hansen, Christian Bueng, Maggie Patch, Colin Appleby, Grady Whitson and faculty advisor Liz Walker – analyzed existing dark-sky reserves in locations from Scotland to Utah and learned to measure and mitigate types of light pollution and how that light affects others. The student’s work will contribute to SLVGO’s efforts in garnering official dark-sky reserve designation.

“The Wright Challenge has been a unique opportunity for us as students to help provide Colorado’s outdoor industry with sustainable growth and equitable access through complex problem solving and critical thinking,” said team member Appleby, a CMC Leadville outdoor recreation leadership student. “This experience pushed us to work as a team in order to create an innovative solution for the modern world.”

"Colorado Mountain College has a long and extensive history of educating future outdoor industry leaders," said CMC President Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser. “Our participation in The Wright Challenge makes a direct connection between our students and industry leaders such as San Luis Valley Great Outdoors. I'm thrilled our team did so well with their dark-sky project and look forward to continued collaborations with the outdoor industry."

In addition to CMC’s team, Colorado Mesa University’s outdoor industry studies program, and Western Colorado University’s outdoor industry MBA program competed for Best in Class, People’s Choice and Most Engaged Team awards.

The Wright Challenge students who receive awards receive prize packages from their participating challenge partners. CMC Leadville’s team members are also eligible for $1,000 scholarships to Western Colorado University’s outdoor MBA program.

“For these students, competing in The Wright Collegiate Challenge meant jumping into the deep end and figuring it out,” said Chuck Sullivan, the organization’s executive director. “These students got their hands dirty and innovated. In these outdoor industry entrepreneurs, we are seeing the industry’s next generation workforce. The future looks bright.”

“Our office is a proud partner in The Wright Collegiate Challenge,” said Nathan Fey, Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office executive director. “One of our main areas of focus is advancing education and workforce development opportunities, and this challenge highlights the real work our academic partners dedicate toward shaping the skill sets of those entering into the outdoor recreation workforce.”

Colorado Mountain College offers certificates and degrees in a variety of outdoor study programs at its campuses in Leadville, Steamboat Springs, Summit County, Spring Valley at Glenwood Springs and Vail Valley at Edwards.

Outdoor Industry

From Passion to Profession

Guide heli-ski trips in Alaska. Build an Olympic ski course. Design snowboards for professional athletes. Colorado Mountain College outdoor graduates activate their skills in recreation-based positions around the world.

Leave the road, take the trail

Live, learn, work and play in the mountains while gaining hands-on training and building industry connections that will lay the groundwork for a successful outdoor career.

Eleven campuses cover 12,000 square miles, three national forests, six wilderness areas and most of Colorado's renowned ski resorts. There's a lot to explore.

Action Sports Industry

Jump in the front seat of the action sports industry. Learn essential retail, marketing, media and sales strategies. Discover what it takes to build a successful career behind the products that make outdoor adventures possible. Earn an Associate of Arts with an emphasis in Action Sports Industry or upgrade your skills with a certificate in Action Sports Media.

Avalanche Science

Dig deep into two seasons of mountain snowpack, while analyzing weather and avalanche cycles alongside respected avalanche industry experts. This two-year hybrid program combines online courses with three intensive in-person sessions and is designed for current and aspiring avalanche professionals.

Fly Fishing Guide

Step into your waders and go knee deep into pristine high alpine lakes to discover the world of professional fly fishing. Establish the skills and techniques necessary to land a job as a fly fishing guide, maintain year-round clients, and start your own fly fishing business.

Outdoor Education

Develop the skills you need to explore every inch of this world. Combine the groundwork of a liberal arts education with hands-on outdoor experiences while earning an Associate of Arts with an emphasis in Outdoor Education. Learn to survive and thrive in virtually every wilderness environment.

Outdoor Recreation Leadership

Navigate high mountain peaks, remote deserts, and wild rivers while building technical, leadership, and risk management skills essential for outdoor professionals. Transform your passion for adventure into a successful career guiding others in the outdoors with an Associate of General Studies with an emphasis in Outdoor Recreation Leadership.

Ski & Snowboard Business

Consult with Olympic athletes, market for world-class resorts and design snow sports products in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Live, learn, play and work on the slopes while making invaluable industry connections through a partnership with SnowSports Industries America (SIA). Earn an Associate of Applied Science with an emphasis in Ski & Snowboard Business or upgrade your skills with several industry certificates including Ski & Snowboard Retail & Repair Shop Technician and Ski & Snowboard Shop Manager.

Ski & Snowboard Guide

Head into the backcountry with field experience and a certification from Colorado Mountain College. Ski & snowboard guide training blends industry specific business classes with practical outdoor education courses.

Ski Area Operations

Explore world class resorts before, during and after class. Gain technical and hands-on training making snow, operating a groomer, building terrain parks and repairing chairlifts. Strap in and learn every aspect of the ski industry while earning an Associate of Applied Science in Ski Area Operations and specialize in Ropeway Maintenance, Ski Patrol Operations or Slope and Trail Maintenance.

Ski Patrol Operations

Be prepared to respond to any situation on the slopes of a ski resort. Analyze risk, perform avalanche mitigation, and learn how to handle mountain emergencies like ski and snowboard injuries, avalanche rescues and wilderness extractions.

SnowSports Industries America (SIA)

Learn the latest innovations and strategies to navigate the snow sports industry and fast track your career. This instant resume-boosting certification was developed in partnership with SnowSports Industries America to prepare students for careers in retail, marketing and wholesaling.

Search Results for: Outdoor Recreation Leadership

Outdoor Recreation Leadership Tuition and Costs

Tuition & Costs for 2022 - 2023 Academic Year

In-district Tuition

In-state Tuition

Out-of-state Tuition

Colorado Mountain College Special Rates

Outdoor Recreation Leadership: Earn a Hands-on Outdoor Recreation Degree in the Colorado Mountains

Follow your passion — live and learn at the highest elevation campus in the U.S.

Specialized Training

Associate Degree Program

Mountain learning, mountain living in Leadville, Colorado

REAL-WORLD LEARNING

Related Degrees

Bachelor

Associate

Certificate

Program News

Mountains serve as classroom for Air Force cadets learning leadership

Colorado Mountain College puts renewed focus on outdoor industry programs

New strategic advisor to help lead CMC into an era of innovation and inclusivity

Wright Collegiate Challenge honors CMC team for outdoor industry collaboration

Outdoor Industry

From Passion to Profession

Leave the road, take the trail

Action Sports Industry

Avalanche Science

Fly Fishing Guide

Outdoor Education

Outdoor Recreation Leadership

Ski & Snowboard Business

Ski & Snowboard Guide

Ski Area Operations

Ski Patrol Operations

SnowSports Industries America (SIA)

@Colorado Mountain College

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