Best Women's Ski Clinics?

[marzNC]

As a group stopping to review on the side of the one or two or three open runs is not optimal. Week day mornings are OK crowdwise if there is enough snow to groom and the corderoy is fresh.

Having been a regular at Alta for about 20 years, my sense is that Alta Ski Lift Co. wants to wait to open in order to have a decent amount of trails ready. The company only owns the stuff on the mountain, meaning chairlifts, snowmaking infrastructure, gas-based explosive devices used by ski patrol, and a few buildings. Plus Alta ski school and Alta Ski Shop. The ski lodges in the town of Alta are all independent. So just opening 1-2 top-to-bottom runs is not worth the effort. Alta doesn't push in order be "first to open" in the SLC area.

One of the unusual aspects of Alta ski school is that there is no deposit or advanced payment required. In fact, they don't take money until the student is at Alta on the day of the lesson. While the terrain makes Alta a popular destination, in many ways Alta is a "ski area" and not a "ski resort." You won't find any footrests on Alta lifts.

Snowbird on the other side of Mt. Baldy is a ski resort with resort lodging, mostly resort Food & Beverage outlets, and summer activities that require paying for tickets. The vibe is very different from Alta.

The trails used for teaching fundamentals at Alta are on the wide side. Mambo is a blue on the Collins side that is probably twice as wide as the blues that I was working with @snoWYmonkey on during an early December trip to JH. Off Sugarloaf, the easiest way down is Devil's Elbow and that can be a bit congested at a few places. However, I think that's unlikely the first week of December this season. Assuming Supreme opens, the teaching trails are relatively wide and never that busy. That includes a few blacks that are groomed at times.

 

[aliciaski]

Thank you @marzNC @snoWYmonkey for the perspectives! I decided to cancel Alta and put the money towards a ski lease. I figure I can still get a lot out of finding another place to do early-season lessons to set a good foundation for the season, and the important thing is to ski more to improve. Then I’ll be better set up to take advantage of a camp anyway.

 

[marzNC]

Thank you @marzNC @snoWYmonkey for the perspectives! I decided to cancel Alta and put the money towards a ski lease. I figure I can still get a lot out of finding another place to do early-season lessons to set a good foundation for the season, and the important thing is to ski more to improve. Then I’ll be better set up to take advantage of a camp anyway.

Yep, mileage helps. That's one reason I like to ski for a day or two before I do a Taos Ski Week or a private lesson.

I've found that during early and late season, often it's the most experienced instructors who are already around. That means a group lesson might end up a solo lesson with a Level 3 instructor. Or perhaps with just 1-2 other students. Of course, fewer people are around midweek.

 

[GreenMtnDiva]

Thought I would bump this thread for East Coasters! Jay Peak has a newer program for women that runs from 4-8 weeks (your choice when you sign up). Jay Peak Women's Camp. I signed up for the 8 week camp! It's coached and led by women.

 

[jthree]

Thought I would bump this thread for East Coasters! Jay Peak has a newer program for women that runs from 4-8 weeks (your choice when you sign up). Jay Peak Women's Camp. I signed up for the 8 week camp! It's coached and led by women.

Ooh that's new! I'm signed up for the Smuggs weekly program this year but it's good to know there's another VT program in the mix. Let us know what you think during the season!

 

[GreenMtnDiva]

Ooh that's new! I'm signed up for the Smuggs weekly program this year but it's good to know there's another VT program in the mix. Let us know what you think during the season!

Definitely! I saw that Jay Peak started it last year, but I couldn't find any information on it until they posted something on their social media a couple weeks ago. I also live so close to Jay Peak (Newport, VT) that it just made sense to sign up over the others available in VT. I was looking into the Smuggs one before signing up to Jay. It looks like a really great program as well! I hope you have fun and learn a lot!!

 

[Verve]

For the fellow NE skiers, I am desperately trying to get into the Mad River Glen midweek womens clinic - it looks perfect for me because it's on Thursday and Mad River is chock full of the sorts of trails I am trying to push myself on more. I guess it fills up by around August every year and is quite the scene. Keep your fingers crossed for me! And if anyone knows an instructor who teaches there that they recommend, let me know!

 

[jthree]

For the fellow NE skiers, I am desperately trying to get into the Mad River Glen midweek womens clinic - it looks perfect for me because it's on Thursday and Mad River is chock full of the sorts of trails I am trying to push myself on more. I guess it fills up by around August every year and is quite the scene. Keep your fingers crossed for me! And if anyone knows an instructor who teaches there that they recommend, let me know!

@ilovepugs and I did a semi-private bumps lesson there one year-- she will remember the instructor's name, but I thought she was really good!

 

[marzNC]

Powder Mountain will have multi-day camp for women in early February. Lessons dates are Feb. 5-6 and travelers need to stay at least 2 nights. There is discounted lodging available working with a local property management company. The cost of the camp is $599. Cancellation for a full refund is possible up to 2 weeks in advance.

 

[snoWYmonkey]

Jessica Baker's BIWOC ski camp in Jackson Hole just finalized funding and is happening again in March. The link to the application and information page on her site is linked here: Jessica Baker's Ski Divas BIWOC camp info and application page

This camp is not just a scholarship based event as participants who can pay full cost have participated in the past and will in the future and most receive partial scholarships. The application is the same for all those who are interested. The total number of participants is capped to help maintain an environment where the women have time to connect no matter which skill level group they belong with.

On a side note, at least three previous attendees are now instructors as a side job as the initial passion has continued to blossom! Another camper sponsors the final banquet for all the ladies.

I am happy to answer any questions you might have in a private message as I have been part of the coaching crew since the inaugural camp and hopefully can convey Jessica's goals and vision somewhat accurately.

 

[Michellezil]

I am 100% going to do one of those and hopefully the womens week!! They look fabulous!

I'm new to the forum so can't access the meetup section yet but I am thinking about joining the Taos womens ski week this year too! Would be fun to meet!

 

[Michellezil]

Are you thinking about the Taos Women's Ski Week? There will be one Feb. 22-27. Also possible they made add one in January.

My personal list of Divas who will be at Taos in late February is up to 8 at this point. They are mostly older Divas who have done Ski Weeks before.

I would love to meet some Divas if I do the womens ski week. Will let you know if I lock it in. I'm so grateful to have found this forum as I get back into skiing after a long time away.

 

[Michellezil]

Does anyone have experience with Mammoth's 3 day Women's Ski and Snowboard camp?

 

[sukihobson]

I'm new to the forum so can't access the meetup section yet but I am thinking about joining the Taos womens ski week this year too! Would be fun to meet!

I am hoping to make it but might be a last minute decision from me!!! Super fun to all ski together for sure!!

 

[bawc]

Is anyone doing the March camp at Sugarbush? After Diva East, I realized that I need to hone my skills!

 

[Hilary Perry]

Ladies, I just got back from an amazing three day ski clinic with Deb Armstrong up in Steamboat Springs! We were blessed with fresh snow and it was just beautiful. I wasn’t sure how much interaction I would have with Deb, but it turned out to be one of the most incredible transformational experiences I’ve had with my Ski life! She made sure to spend time with everyone in our group individually. The body mechanics, attention to my equipment, general and specific skiing advice, and camaraderie with Deb, her instructors, and eight other women was an experience I won’t forget. Many thanks to those on this forum who referred me to this clinic!

 

[GreenMtnDiva]

Ladies, I just got back from an amazing three day ski clinic with Deb Armstrong up in Steamboat Springs! We were blessed with fresh snow and it was just beautiful. I wasn’t sure how much interaction I would have with Deb, but it turned out to be one of the most incredible transformational experiences I’ve had with my Ski life! She made sure to spend time with everyone in our group individually. The body mechanics, attention to my equipment, general and specific skiing advice, and camaraderie with Deb, her instructors, and eight other women was an experience I won’t forget. Many thanks to those on this forum who referred me to this clinic!

Wow! That sounds amazing! I have been binge watching Deb's youtube videos which have been total game changers for me as an intermediate skier. I really like her style of explaining things.

 

[Hilary Perry]

It really was!

 

[Bsheresq]

So glad you had an amazing experience! Her videos are incredible, so it must be really special getting some personal attention for her.

 

[cilantroisjustfine]

Still open spots this weekend for $25 (!) half day Women in Powder ski and snowboard clinics in Park City this weekend.

Women in Powder also at Northstar and Kirkwood this weekend.

Women in Powder: Ski Camps & Clinics | Snow.com

Women's weekend ski camps and clinics. Supportive, skill-building multi-day events and snow sport activities for women held at resorts across the country.

www.snow.com