Stratton Mountain School: Where Academic Excellence Meets World-Class Winter Sports
Founded in 1972 by visionaries Warren Hellman and Donald Tarinelli, Stratton Mountain School (SMS) was built on a bold idea: student-athletes should never have to choose between pursuing their passion and excelling in the classroom. What began as a school designed to align with the Alpine racing schedule has grown into a powerhouse that launches athletes onto the world stage while preparing them for success at top colleges and beyond.
At the Base of Stratton Mountain Resort — and at the Peak of Performance
Set at the foot of Stratton Mountain Resort, SMS offers unparalleled access to first-class training venues, recognized by the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team. Student-athletes sharpen their skills on premier terrain and train in world-class facilities designed for champions: a state-of-the-art gym, strength and conditioning center, sports rehab suite, sports science lab, Wintersteiger tuning machine, tuning rooms, trampoline center, athletic fields, and more!
Alpine Excellence: Training the Next Generation of Champions
The Alpine Program at SMS is synonymous with success. Guided by elite coaches and built on the highest standards of athletic development, safety, and governance, the program supports racers ages U14 through U21. Whether in the Full-Term Program, Winter Term Program, or Postgraduate Program, athletes are immersed in a culture of discipline, drive, and achievement. SMS athletes consistently rise to the top — from Junior Nationals to the Olympics.
Academics That Inspire and Empower
SMS is as relentless in the classroom as it is on the mountain. Our college-preparatory program challenges student-athletes intellectually and personally, helping them translate independence into responsibility and curiosity into maturity. With dedicated faculty and a supportive community, SMS empowers its students to balance rigorous academics with elite training — preparing them not only for college but also for life.
Stratton Mountain School is more than a school. It’s a launchpad for champions — in sport, in scholarship, and in character.
College-Bound, World-Ready
Stratton Mountain School student-athletes don’t just train and compete at the highest levels — they also earn acceptances to some of the most selective colleges and universities in the world. From the Ivy League to top liberal arts colleges, from leading research institutions to schools renowned for their athletic programs, SMS graduates consistently demonstrate that excellence on the mountain translates into excellence in the classroom.
Our alumni head to colleges where they continue to push boundaries — competing in NCAA athletics, excelling in academics, and becoming leaders in their fields. SMS athletes are recruited not only for their athletic talent, but for their resilience, work ethic, and character — qualities forged in the unique balance of elite training and rigorous academics.
At SMS, college isn’t the finish line — it’s just the next summit.
Other Academy News
- Loveland Ski Club is Hiring an Executive Director
- Hiring Alpine Director – Division Laurentienne de Ski
- The Peak School is Hiring – Upper School Math Teacher & Spanish Teacher Openings (August 2026)
- Lucy Brown Is Coaching the Next Generation and Redefining What High Performance Looks Like
- Vail Mountain School Celebrates Alumni & Former Students Competing on the Olympic Stage
- Ski Zenit Opens Registration for Summer Camps in Switzerland and Chile
