If you’re thinking about taking a women’s clinic, you’re in luck; there are quite a few to choose from this season. This is a big change from a couple years ago, when many were canceled because of the pandemic. It’s good to see them back. Why? Women’s clinics are a good alternative for those of us who prefer learning in a testosterone-free environment. They’re great for building skills and confidence, and provide the camaraderie that comes from skiing in a group of women. Research actually shows that women are more supportive and men more competitive in a learning situation. And this can carry over to the ski hill, too.
Here’s a sample of what some women on TheSkiDiva.com have to say about them:
• I go every year to at least one of the women’s clinics they have at my local resort. They are fun and it’s great to learn some new tips and have a blast skiing with other women. I like them because they are just a supportive group of skiers and each one of us encourages everyone throughout the lesson – something I certainly don’t get in other types of lessons.
• I have taken both co-ed and women only clinics. I prefer the women only because I feel that with other women the atmosphere is supportive and not so competitive. Every time I have been in a co-ed class, there has been one guy who thinks he knows more than the instructor. Then the whole goal of the class changes to be a competition between the two and I get lost. In co-ed classes I have been subjected to feedback from a guy in the class when I prefer to get my feedback from the instructor. The pace in a women only clinic meets my needs too. We stop for bathroom breaks as needed and to get warm if it’s really cold. Other women share what they think I am doing well not what I am doing poorly. They encourage me to take steps outside my comfort zone but do not slam me if I should choose not to take that step. And, I laugh more on the lifts.
• I opted for the women-only because it was the only clinic offered in my area. It turned out to be really fantastic. One of my instructors was very focused on the difference in the center of gravity between men and women, so the main reason I went to the clinic the first time was to hear more on that subject. The best thing about them — I’ve done two — was meeting new ski buddies. I met two wonderful ladies that I’ve stayed in touch with though we haven’t been able to coordinate skiing again yet. There really wasn’t anything I disliked, other than I wished more folks were signed up. I agree with the other posters – there is a relaxed vibe, we have a great time, we can kvetch about skiing at “that time of the month”, etc. Plus the clinic organizer makes the most awesome goodie bags EVER. She sent me one while I was recovering from breast cancer surgery (she is also a survivor) that blew me away. Again, that made-a-new-friend thing…love it.
That said, women’s clinics aren’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Everyone’s learning style is different, and a co-ed clinic might be fine for you. But if you’ve been looking for a women’s clinic, here are some to consider. (BTW, if you know of any others, drop me a line and I’ll add them to the list):
- Women’s Wednesdays, Alyeska, AK: Contact resort for dates
- Women of Winter Clinic, Palisades Tahoe, CA: Sundays, 1/8-3/26
- Women’s Ski Clinic, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, CA: Contact resort for dates.
- Kim Reichhlem’s Women’s Ski Adventures: Aspen, CO. Contact for dates.
- Women’s Camp, Breckenridge, CO: 1/11-13; 2/15-17
Breck Belles: 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/25 - Women’s Wednesdays, Copper, CO: Wednesdays 1/11, 18, 25, 2/1; Session II: 2/8, 11; 3/1,8
- Multi-Week Program, Eldora, CO: Tuesdays, 1/17, 24, 31, 2/7; Wednesdays, 1/18, 25, 2/1, 8
- Women’s Only Clinics, Loveland, CO: Session I: 1/12, 19, 26, 2/2; Session II: 2/9, 16, 23, 3/2
- Women’s Wednesdays, Monarch, CO: 1/4, 11, 18, 25; 2/1, 8
- Beginner-Intermediate Women’s Clinic, Winter Park, Co: 1/15; 2/18; 4/1
- Your Turn Clinic, Caberfae Peaks, MI: 3/2
- Women’s Clinic, Big Sky, MT: 1/21-23; 3/4-6
- Your Turn Clinic, Big Sky, MT: 2/15-17
- Your Turn Clinic, Discovery Ski Area, MT: 2/22, 2/23
- Women’s Ski Week, Taos, NM: 2/26-3/3
- Women’s Workshop, Mount Sunapee, NH: Tuesdays, 1/5, 12, 19, 26, 2/2
- Women’s Escape, Gore, NY: Wednesdays 1/4-2/15; Thursdays 1/5-2/16
- Your Turn, Holiday Valley, NY: 1/25-26
- Your Turn Clinic, Lake Placid, NY: 1/27-29
- Women’s Ski Development Program, Liberty Mountain, PA: 1/7, 8, 21, 22; 2/25, 26, 3/4, 5
- Women’s Workshop, Brighton, UT: 3 and 4 day workshops throughout the season. Consult resort.
- Women’s Weekday Program, Deer Valley, UT: Tuesdays 1/10-2/7
Women’s Weekends, Deer Valley, UT: 12/9-11; 2/3-5 - Women’s Program, Powder Mountain, UT: Session I — 2/7, 14, 21, 28; Session II — 2/4, 11, 25, 3/4
- Women on Wednesday, Snowbasin, UT; Session I — 1/11, 18, 25, 2/1; Session II — 2/8, 15, 22
- Snowbird Women’s Wednesdays, Snowbird, UT: 1/4, 11, 18, 25, 2/1, 8
Women’s Ski Camp, Snowbird, UT: 1/20-22 - Alta Lodge Women’s Camp, Alta, UT: Intermediate-Advanced Camp: 1/22-26; 3/4-8; Expert Camp, 1/8-12; Skills Camp, 12-11-15
- Women’s Alpine Adventures, Okemo, VT: 1/25 – 27;2/3-4; 3/2-3
- Donna Weinbrecht Ski Camp, Killington, VT: 1/11-12; 2/11-12
- Women’s Weekend Clinics, Magic, VT: Beginners, 1/21-22; Blues to Blacks, 2/4-5; Double black, 3/4
- Women On Snow Ski Camp, Stratton, VT: 2/6-7; 2/11-12
- Women’s Discovery Camp, Sugarbush, VT: 1/21-22; 3/6-7
- Women’s Clinic Series, 49 North, WA: 12/18, 1/29, 2/12
- Women’s Ski Program, Cascade Mountain, WI: 12/20, 1/12, 1/24, 2/9
- Elevate Women’s Ski Camp, Jackson Hole, WY: 1/6-20
- Ladies Only Multiweek Program, Lake Louise, AB, Canada: 6 week program starts 1/11 and 12 and ends 2/16 and 17; 9 week program starts 1/11 and 12 and ends 3/15 or 16
- Rippin’ Chix Steep Camps, Whitewater, BC: 1/14-1/15; Apex, BC, 1/18-19;
- For Women Only, Whistler Blackcomb, BC: 12/10-11; 1/28-29; 2/11-12; 2/25-26; 3/11-12; 4/1-2