Alumni Trips: Reconnect with HMI & the American West
Our alumni trips invite you to step away from everyday life, explore stunning landscapes, and share meaningful experiences with other members of the HMI community. Alumni trips are open to HMI alumni of any program, former staff (including apprentices), and their friends & family.
Can’t make the dates listed below? Each trip can run as a private custom trip on a timeframe that works for you.
March 2026: Ski Touring & Joring
Nowhere does winter quite like Leadville. This four-day trip involves a day of downhill or Nordic skiing at Ski Cooper and a day of backcountry ski touring in the mountains around Leadville. After the ski tour, participants will get to enjoy Leadville’s legendary Ski Joring competition, where skiers pulled by horses whip down Main Street to the cheers of thousands of spectators.
Dates: Thursday, March 5th – Sunday, March 8th, 2026
Itinerary:
Thursday: Arrive at Denver Airport by 2pm, shuttle to Leadville. Settle into your cabin and enjoy dinner on campus.
Friday: Ski Cooper Day! We’ll head out to Ski Cooper, Leadville’s local ski mountain where participants have the option of downhill or Nordic skiing. Participants can borrow telemark skis from HMI for free or bring/rent their own alpine or Nordic skis.
Saturday: Ski Touring & Joring Day! Start off the day with a backcountry ski tour in the high alpine (borrow HMI’s telemark skis for free or bring their own backcountry setup) then head into Leadville to spectate the legendary Ski Joring competition. Horses pulling skiers down Main Street…oh my! Enjoy a farewell dinner with Sam Critchlow at the HMI Head of School house.
Sunday: Shuttle to Denver Airport (arriving by 10am).
Ski Experience Required: Participants should have previous ski experience and be comfortable intermediate (blue) skiers or higher. No previous backcountry ski experience is required. You can bring your own backcountry setup–ski or splitboard–or be outfitted with telemark skis at HMI.
Start/End Location: Denver International Airport or Leadville, CO. If arriving by plane, aim to book flights that land by 2pm on Thursday, 3/5 and depart after 12pm on Sunday, 3/8. A shuttle to/from DIA will be provided!
Lodging: HMI cabins
Meals: HMI-provided meals on campus
Trip Conditions: Come prepared for winter weather! Winter clothing and ski equipment can be rented from HMI for no additional cost.
Group Size: 6-12 participants plus 1-2 HMI field instructors
Price: $500
Prices include all lodging, meals, wilderness gear, telemark and/or Nordic ski rental, Ski Cooper day pass, and transportation from/to Denver International Airport. Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements to/from Denver, CO.
Signup Date: Signup by February 1st to confirm availability.
Can’t make these dates? Book this trip privately with your family/friends at the same per-person rate (4-person minimum).
To learn more and enroll: Email alumni@hminet.org or call (719) 486-8200 x109
August 2026: Sawatch Backpacking + Burro Racing
There’s nothing like backpacking in the high Rockies in late summer. The days are long, the bugs are minimal, and the sunsets are stunning. Participants on this trip will spend five days backpacking through the Sawatch Range and summit one of the highest peaks in Colorado. The trip kicks off with Leadville’s legendary Boom Days festival featuring burro racing, Victorian-era costumes, and mining competitions.
Dates: Saturday, August 1st – Saturday, August 8th, 2026
Itinerary:
Saturday: Arrive at Denver Airport, shuttle to Leadville. Spectate Boom Days mining competitions and events. Dinner and campfire on campus.
Sunday: Head into Leadville to spectate Colorado’s official herritage sport: Pack Burro Racing. In the afternoon, prepare gear and rations for the expedition.
Monday – Friday: Backpack in the Sawatch Range! Climb to the top of alpine passes, hike through dense aspen groves, take in the alpenglow at sunset, and share in the tradition of “Circle” each night with your expedition-mates. Participants will have the option to get up early to summit a local 14,000 ft. peak.
Friday Afternoon: Exit the backcountry, shower, and head to town for a final group dinner.
Saturday: Morning shuttle to Denver Airport. Or stick around on your own to spectate the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike race!
Start/End Location: Denver International Airport or Leadville, CO. If arriving by plane, aim to book flights that land by 2pm on Saturday, 8/1 and depart after 12pm on Saturday, 8/8. A shuttle to/from DIA will be provided!
Lodging: Sleeping in HMI cabins during trip orientation and conclusion; lightweight tents, sleeping bags, and ground pads will be our sleeping setup for the expedition nights in the Sawatch.
Meals: HMI Kitchen meals (you can even volunteer for cook crew!) for the first and final days; “backcountry gourmet” HMI rations for the backpacking days.
Trip Conditions: Generally warm days and cool nights (some rain/hail storms possible); hiking with a heavy backpack (up to 45% of body weight) for 3-8 miles per day over very rough terrain at high elevation (9,600 – 14,400 ft).
Group size: 6-12 participants plus 2-3 HMI field instructors
Earlybird Price (by May 15): $1,050
Regular Price: $1,100
Prices include all lodging, meals, gear, permits, and transportation from/to Denver International Airport. Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements to/from Denver, CO.
Can’t make these dates? Book this trip privately with your family/friends at the same per-person rate (4-person minimum).
To learn more and enroll: Email alumni@hminet.org or call (719) 486-8200 x109
September 2026: Fall Foliage, 14er, & Hot Springs
Return to HMI and Leadville to experience the beauty of fall in the high Rockies! This long-weekend trip involves spending three nights on HMI’s campus, heading out on day hikes each day, leaf peeping, and a soak in Mt. Princeton Hot Springs. Interested participants will have the option to get up early and summit a nearby 14,000 ft. peak.
Dates: Thursday, September 24th – Sunday, September 27th, 2026
Itinerary:
Thursday: Arrive at Denver Airport, Shuttle to Leadville. Prep for the weekend ahead. Dinner and campfire on campus.
Friday: Head out for a fall foliage hike followed by a luxurious soak at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs.
Saturday: Optional early morning start for local 14er attempt. Or opt for the chiller morning with another “leaf peeping” hike. Return to Leadville for showers and a final dinner in town.
Sunday: Shuttle to Denver Airport.
Start/End Location: Denver International Airport or Leadville, CO. If arriving by plane, aim to book flights that land by 2pm on Thursday, 10/2 and depart after 12pm on Sunday, 10/5. A shuttle to/from DIA will be provided!
Lodging: Accommodations will be in the HMI cabins!
Meals: HMI-provided meals on campus, as well as a final meal out in town.
Trip Conditions: Fall weather in the mountains is somewhat unpredictable. Come prepared for possible cold weather.
Group Size: 6-12 participants plus 2-3 HMI field instructors
Earlybird Price (By June 15): $400
Price: $450
Prices include all lodging, meals, hot springs entry, and transportation from/to Denver International Airport. Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements to/from Denver, CO.
Can’t make these dates? Book this trip privately with your family/friends at the same per-person rate (4-person minimum).
To learn more and enroll: Email alumni@hminet.org or call (719) 486-8200 x109
FAQ
Who is elegible to participate in HMI alumni trips?
All alumni of an HMI program (ages 18+) as well as former HMI apprentices and staff, along with any friends or family members who want to join in.
Can I bring friends or family who did not attend HMI?
Yes. Please feel welcome to bring friends, partners, or family members who want to experience an HMI expedition. Groups of 2+ people who book together receive a 15% discount off the list price (discounts may not exceed 50% of full list price)
How can I get more information or sign up?
Give us a call or send us an email to learn more!
Phone: (719) 486-8200 x109
Email: alumni@hminet.org
Is each alumni trip guaranteed to run?
No. We reserve the right to cancel any alumni trip if the minimun enrollment is not met. In that scenario, all deposit or tuition payments will be refunded.
How do I signup and pay for a trip?
After communicating your interest you will be asked to fill out enrollment forms and pay the tuition via ACH transfer or check. We do not accept credit cards.