Every year, students in Aspen School District's Outdoor Education (ODE) program head into the backcountry for an experience that teaches teamwork, leadership, and confidence in ways no classroom can. At Ute Mountaineer, we've had the privilege of supporting this program for over 40 years — donating gear, volunteering our time, and offering special discounts to help students show up prepared.
If you've spent any real time in the Colorado mountains, you already know the sun hits different up here. At elevation, UV exposure increases significantly — roughly 4% for every 1,000 feet — which means a bluebird day in Aspen isn't just beautiful, it's doing more damage than most people realize. The good news is that sun protection has come a long way, and once you understand how to layer it properly, it becomes second nature.
