Quiver Queen
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Starting last season I began to look for a ski camp that was fun, exciting, and challenging to help me become the type of skier I envision--an expert skier that can master any terrain I choose. I was also looking for an experience to get my skills ready for a heli-skiing trip to Alaska next year. Initially I checked into the "Steep and Deep Camp" at Jackson Hole, but they basically told me not to come as I'd have to guard against further injury to my trashed right knee. So, thru web searches and info from theskidiva.com, I found the "Women's Extreme Edge" @ Aspen (1/21 - 1/24, aspensnowmass.com) and Didi Lawrence. The idea of bypassing testosterone in my quest to become a better skier certainly appealed, and Didi assured me of a no-pressure approach in which I could modify my activities as needed, depending on how the knee felt. What I experienced in this camp exceeded all expectations, and left me excited about my improvement thru the week and what I can do to build on the skills learned.
There were eight women in the camp, ages ranged from about 32 to 62, including two ski instructors and two part-time participants, all but me well acclimated, and all level 8+ skiers. Initially I was thinking eight students would be too many for one coach, but I hadn't counted on Didi, who made each one of us feel as if we were the only important person on the mountain. Speaking of Didi, what an incredible person—she goes by "Peroxide" for good reason, and the fun just goes on from there!
We skied Snowmass the first and fourth days, and Aspen Highlands days two and three. Aspen had been on the schedule for day two, but we ladies were more anxious for the extra challenge Highlands gave so skipped Aspen. We covered all sorts of terrain, bumps, steeps, trees, powder, anything the mountains offered, and only went on groomers while en route to a lift. Skiing in New England, I've never really experienced the challenges this trip offered, so initially I was helping bring up the rear. But Didi's superb instruction really connected, so by the end of the camp nobody was having to wait for this girl!
For some, the highlight of the week was hiking & skiing the Highlands Bowl (which I was ready to repeat the moment we finished!), which is very impressive & considered quite an accomplishment. But for me, the last couple of runs @ Snowmass were the ultimate—another hike, dropping off a face, winding thru massive trees, swooping a gully, wending VW bumps, and all the while whooping & hollering, cheering each other on, immersed in the moment, confident, and absolutely in love with what I was doing!
This camp was one of my top experiences ever, and I'd love to participate again—I'd do it again next week if it were possible! Didi says it will be offered twice again next year, most likely in January and February, and I'd like to be there. In the meantime, I've got some new friends (all of whom were told about us Divas!), Didi assures me she is available as a resource should I need her, and I'll hopefully have conditions for practicing my new skills. I am becoming that expert skier I envision, and this Women's Extreme Edge camp is helping me get there.
There were eight women in the camp, ages ranged from about 32 to 62, including two ski instructors and two part-time participants, all but me well acclimated, and all level 8+ skiers. Initially I was thinking eight students would be too many for one coach, but I hadn't counted on Didi, who made each one of us feel as if we were the only important person on the mountain. Speaking of Didi, what an incredible person—she goes by "Peroxide" for good reason, and the fun just goes on from there!
We skied Snowmass the first and fourth days, and Aspen Highlands days two and three. Aspen had been on the schedule for day two, but we ladies were more anxious for the extra challenge Highlands gave so skipped Aspen. We covered all sorts of terrain, bumps, steeps, trees, powder, anything the mountains offered, and only went on groomers while en route to a lift. Skiing in New England, I've never really experienced the challenges this trip offered, so initially I was helping bring up the rear. But Didi's superb instruction really connected, so by the end of the camp nobody was having to wait for this girl!
For some, the highlight of the week was hiking & skiing the Highlands Bowl (which I was ready to repeat the moment we finished!), which is very impressive & considered quite an accomplishment. But for me, the last couple of runs @ Snowmass were the ultimate—another hike, dropping off a face, winding thru massive trees, swooping a gully, wending VW bumps, and all the while whooping & hollering, cheering each other on, immersed in the moment, confident, and absolutely in love with what I was doing!
This camp was one of my top experiences ever, and I'd love to participate again—I'd do it again next week if it were possible! Didi says it will be offered twice again next year, most likely in January and February, and I'd like to be there. In the meantime, I've got some new friends (all of whom were told about us Divas!), Didi assures me she is available as a resource should I need her, and I'll hopefully have conditions for practicing my new skills. I am becoming that expert skier I envision, and this Women's Extreme Edge camp is helping me get there.
Don't you know it's a diva tradition to share the knowledge??? 
