The Crimson will move from the indoor ice to the slopes of Aspen, beginning next Sunday, as it travels west for a week of exhibitions and skiing.

As part of its first Christmas trip, the squad will take on the Aspen Women All-Stars in a benefit for Aspen Youth Hockey and has tentative matches scheduled with the Vail Bob Cats and the Denver Tiger Cats Coach John Dooley has also ordered his troops to bring along their skiis "just in case there's some snow."

A Way of Life

"But the main purpose of this trip is to make hockey a total experience." Dooley points out. "We want the girls to realize that hockey is more than just a game."

Invited by Dick Marr, Dooley's partner in a hockey school, the women will "rough it" at the Aspen Country Day School. "We'll be living at the school for a week," Dooley says, "so it will definitely give the girls an opportunity to learn about and appreciate each other a litte better."

Dooley also expects the trip to help with recruiting. "It'll give us some national exposure that we haven't gotton," says Dooley, who hopes to expand on this trip with a European journey in the near future.

"The important thing about this is that the girls will always remember this." Assistant Coach Bill MacDonald says. "In five years they won't remember a 5-1 win or a 4-2 loss, but they'll remember this trip."