"I was only at CVA for four years but the time I spent here really shaped me into the snowboarder and person that I am today. I changed so much while I was here. I came as a fourteen year old, weak kid – an unknown snowboarder. I traveled the world training and competing and left competing on World Cup tours. So I look back and it blows me away how much I accomplished in such a little amount of time. In general my CVA experience made me stronger and tougher and it set me up so I was prepared for any experience on or off the hill. I just had a confidence knowing that I could handle anything because the day-in-day-out routine at CVA is pretty gnarly." Jeremy Jones '93, seven time Best Big Mountain Snowboarder of the Year and CEO of Protect our Winters

"The CVA ALPS program has proved to be an incredible experience for our son. Entering into the program last year, we expected a world class skiing experience for him. We were not disappointed. Backcountry skiing trips in British Columbia, France, and Jackson Hole certainly provided the challenging terrain he was looking for. The coaching and off-season physical and wilderness skill training insured that he was ready for these expeditions. But we realize as he continues at school that he gains so much more from the CVA experience. He is learning responsibility and good decision making skills, both from his skiing experiences as well as day to day life at CVA. Juggling the skiing and training while at the same time managing college prep academics has trained him to manage his time and taught him that he is responsible for his own success. Over the past year, he has come to appreciate the benefits of hard work and discipline, and has learned to take pride in his successes. And he is having the time of his life putting in all of this ‘hard’ work! We know quite a few forty-something year old skiers who want to know if they can come back to high school!" Gordon and Kathy Bechtel, Parents of Colin '10

"The CVA community had a profound impact on the emotional, academic and physical growth of my son during his three years at CVA with the ALPS program.

His experiences at the CVA campus and travels throughout the world opened his eyes to community from a local and global perspective.  His education with the ALPS program helped lay the groundwork for a passion for the wild parts of the world and becoming aware of the fragility of these places.  The lessons learned from his CVA travels have carried over into his life since he has been in college and will continue to provide him with inspiration."  Toni Harkins, mother of Natt '04

"Sam Punderson shows an amazing ability to capture teenage issues and responds to them in a positive, encouraging, supportive way.  He demonstrates insight and balance when challenging our children physically and emotionally."  CVA Parent