Step onto the Slopes!

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If you’re bored with life and want to try something different, how about a ski trip for women only? That’s different. U. S. ski resorts have three- and five-day programs dedicated to women only, usually from January to March. Interested?

Regardless of your ability level, most resorts can accommodate you. Many women enjoy and feel more comfortable with small classes of women only. Women are supportive of small improvements and milestones that beginning skiers need. Even if you are not a complete novice, women’s only programs may be what you need to brush up on skills lost over the years.
Professional Ski Instructors of America, or PSIA, and American Association of Snowboard Instructors, or AASI, teach at many of the resorts and encourage their students with personalized critiques of their performance. At some resorts, the program includes taped videos of the skiers so technique can be praised or critiqued as needed. Whether you are a black-slope pro or a blue-slope intermediate, you will enjoy having a professional ski instructor give you extra pointers. Beginners can get the support they need to go from the green bunny hill to a real down-the-mountain run.

Various resorts offer classes on the slopes in the morning with a nice glass of wine when the class is over. Girls’ night out is exchanged for the après-ski parties in the lodges. Add in speakers, equipment demonstrations and Pilates or yoga classes, and you’re all set for a relaxing mini vacation. If you plan your trip right, you could go to Vail during the Sundance Film Festival. Ski during the day and watch movies at night while hobnobbing with celebrities.

The top resorts offer gorgeous scenery plus amenities and programs geared to women.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole is a fantastic ski resort. Its Elevate Women’s Ski Camp has energy generated by women-only groups. Two days of skiing, a day off, and two more days of skiing give everyone a chance to face their fears and overcome them.

Olympic Valley, California
Squaw Valley Ski Resort is a huge resort area that hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics. After the Olympics, Squaw Valley Resort joined with Alpine Meadows to offer the best skiing in the U.S. Many of the trails are challenging, but there are also trails for beginners.

Sun Valley, Idaho
Sun Valley recently celebrated its 80th birthday. Constantly improving its programs, Sun Valley has added WOW, or Women Only Weekend, held in February. The program stresses togetherness and improving on-snow skiing skills. The small groups focus on technique improvement.

Telluride, Colorado
Telluride has held a Women’s Ski & Wellness Week monthly from January to March for over 35 years. It is designed for adult women 18 and older only. There are three-day and five-day versions. The skiing classes are complemented by yoga, meditation, wellness speakers, access to Peaks Resort & Spa fitness rooms, pool and spa services, equipment fitting and après parties.

Vail, Colorado
Vail was established over 50 years ago and sets the standard for ski resorts in the U.S. Home to the world-renowned Sundance Film Festival, Vail has top-notch ski trails and five-star hotels. There are many different women-only programs with well-known professional ski instructors. Private or group sessions are available, with classes for all levels.

These great slopes may not be as well-known or long running as the five above, but they are every bit as enticing to skiers who know the slopes.

Utah
Alta Lodge Women’s Ski Camp is a three-day camp with two yoga sessions. Lessons concentrate on helping skiers tackle the blue run and black diamond runs. Park City Mountain Resort Women’s Ski Camp is a three-day ski camp designed to challenge intermediate and advanced skiers. Skiers work in small groups designed to improve everyone’s skills.

Vermont
This eastern state has excellent ski slopes and camps. Okemo’s Women’s Alpine Adventures is a ski school with professional coaches who design the women’s only course. Stratton’s Women on Snow camps are available to all levels of skiers on the weekends. A welcoming dinner is followed by two days of skiing. Killington offers Women’s Weekends, a two-day camp with all-female instruction and video analysis of your skiing technique.

The resorts are working to bring women the same athletic adventures that men enjoy. The all-women programs at the ski resorts are immensely popular. Because they are, the resorts are constantly looking for new adventures for women. Most of the resorts also offer snowboarding schools. Skilled coaches will help you improve your snowboarding abilities in special women-only snowboarding classes. Get your ride on, girl! ■

Sources: forbes.com, self.com, ski.com, tetonlodge.com and wearetravelgirls.com.