Tis the season.
Tis the season for heavy ski boots, hand warmers, wool socks, and quiet meditation sessions during frequent chair lift rides.
Tis the season for skiing.
As we all pray for fresh powder, and we all plan our next downhill ski day, we must take note, whether we’re a novice or an expert shredder, that every season is different and refreshing our knowledge and honing our skills is important.
Women’s ski clinics can provide an outlet for many women to “have an experience apart from making sure everyone else is having a good time out there,” said Liesl Kenney, avid skier and Public Relations Manager at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. Many women have families and spend their time and effort making sure everyone else has a good experience on the mountain but often forget about their own ski practice.
Attending an all-women ski clinic or instruction session can allow you to learn from other women, and a female instructor, free from judgment and overwhelming standards. Female instructors may use more nurturing language in their rhetoric. They also understand that women can physically learn differently because women’s bodies and hips are shaped different than men’s are.
Overall, all-female ski lessons or clinics offer a supportive dynamic so that you’ll gain confidence and trust in whatever stage of skiing you’re at currently. Generally, during a clinic, you’ll meet (sometimes for a hot chocolate or coffee), discuss techniques or goals, and then spend most of the time on the slopes. You’ll practice technique and maybe even review footage of yourself skiing so you’re able to visually document your triumphs and tragedies (which we’re hoping are few and far between).
When you attend a clinic or camp, you’re in a small-group setting so you’re able to ask questions, explore techniques, and truly share and celebrate the season.
“You’re able to spend time building a great skill set and also, great relationships,” Kenney said.
We’re lucky the Lake Tahoe area has plenty of spectacular resorts to help us on our skiing journey. Here’s a roundup of several local ski resorts and their ladies-only offerings:
Mount Rose Ski Tahoe Ladies Day Clinics
Thursdays now through Mar. 24.*
9:30 – 10 a.m. Coffee in Timbers, 10 a.m. – Noon On-Mountain Ski Clinic
Intermediate – advanced
FREE with season pass, $25 with lift ticket
* Program does not meet Dec. 24, 31, or Feb. 18
For details, visit Skirose.com.
Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows Women of Winter Clinics
Squaw Valley: Wednesdays Jan. 6 – Mar. 23*, Alpine Meadows: Sundays Jan. 3 – Mar. 27
9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Intermediate – expert
$49 one-day clinic
* Squaw Valley program does not meet Feb. 17,
For details, visit Squawalpine.com.
Heavenly Lake Tahoe Women’s Ultimate 4 Learn to Ski Lesson
Dec. 26 – Jan. 3, Feb. 2 – Feb. 21, Mar. 4 – April 4
12:45 – 3:15 p.m.
All levels
$130 one-day lesson
For details, visit Skyheavenly.com.
Kirkwood Women’s 1-Day-Ski
Dec. 27, Jan. 11, Feb. 14, April 4
10 a.m. start
$195 full-day-clinic
Intermediate – expert
For details, visit Kirkwood.com.
Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows Women of Winter 3-Day Camp
Jan. 31 – Feb. 2
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily
Intermediate – expert
$568 camp-only rate, $740 camp and lift tickets rate
For details, visit Squawalpine.com.
Northstar California Women’s Ultimate 4 Ski Lesson
Dec. 26 – Jan. 3, Feb. 12 – 21, Mar. 4 – April 4
12:45 – 3:15 p.m.
All levels
$205 all-day lesson
For details, visit Northstarcalifornia.com.
Sierra at Tahoe Women’s Camp
Mar. 1 – 2
All day
All levels
Starting at $100, depending on day
For details, visit Sierraattahoe.com.
