The Ski Week programs run from mid-February to the end of April each year. Our trips begin in Western Alaska and throughout the course of the spring move to the North Slope and Northwest Arctic regions following the snow, light, and suitable temperatures for skiing.
The schools we visit struggle to retain teachers, offer PE classes, and provide after-school activities due to their remoteness and high cost of living. The Skiku Program attempts to address these challenges by including daily skiing sessions with students during their PE time and after-school skiing opportunities for at least an hour each day. At the end of the week, Skiku volunteers organize community events, such as ski races or scavenger hunts.
These events allow students to showcase their new skills, bringing joy, pride, and a sense of accomplishment to the entire village. The Skiku program also provides positive role models for healthy eating, maintaining an active lifestyle, and ski gear to help communities start their own grassroots programs.