The students — nine year 13s, three year 12s — packed in lunch with the resort’s mayor, met councillors and representatives from Aspen Skiing Company, Aspen Institute and its sister cities board of directors, but also fitted in ski days and hikes.
Year 12’s Nathan Deasy, 16, says it was an amazing trip he’s really grateful he could go on.
"I think a personal highlight was being able to engage in the snow culture and also looking into the sort of level of infrastructure they have operating there.
"Another big highlight was definitely engaging with the community — not only meeting the town council but meeting the elementary school, doing Q&As, performing our school waiata, and then doing some nature tours.
"We definitely made the most out of every minute we could and had a great time doing it."
Year 13’s Armani Souness, 17, says her highlight was "probably getting out of my comfort zone, something I definitely would not have thought I would do if you told me two years ago, and then going and have a good time which really lived up to expectations".
The students, who were billeted by Aspen High School families, were accompanied by teacher chaperones Meadow Koslen Ridd and Gigi Hollyer.
On the way they visited Denver where they watched an ice hockey game, and on the way home they stopped off in Los Angeles for an NBA game and sightseeing bus tour.
Students raised about $6500 each for their 18-day trip, which included selling slots on a sister city hoodie.
