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Women's Events & Clinics
WOMEN EVENT & ACTIVITY
LISTINGS
This is the most comprehensive list of women's cross country ski programs available and we've begun to update the activities for 2012. Some of these listings are from last winter labeled LAST YEAR but many of these events will be conducted at about the same time during 2012. Some of the on-going programs are weekly and can be joined at any time during the season.
EAST
Great Glen Outdoor Center in Gorham, NH has the Women's Winter Escape program on Jan 14-15 will feature xc ski clinics, wine tasting, fashion show, yoga, and more.
A women's group meets on Fridays at the Bethel Nordic Center in Bethel. ME. Women instructors and attention to needs of the group. Gently paced guided ski tour and casual tips rather than a formal lesson. Held at 1:30-3:00 PM.
Womens Winter Day at White Grass, West Virginia on Saturday, Jan 14 and Mar 3 with instruction by women for all levels and techniques and lunch included. 10 AM - 3 PM.
The Nordic Center at Waterville Valley in Waterville, NH and southern White Mountains has the Women's Ski Group on Mondays and Thursdays at 10 AM - 1 PM for fun and fitness and improve your technique. All ability levels welcome and refreshments at the end of the session.
Lapland Ladies Love to Ski! A special program for women, taught by women at Lapland Lake in Northville, NY. From 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM beginner and intermediate level female skiers, grouped by ability, will receive instruction in classic (January 8 and February 4) or skate (March 3) ski technique, enjoy lunch with an equipment & clothing discussion, participate in a social group ski and enjoy a group wrap up with hot beverage at the end of the day. Cost for the five-hour program is $40 including facility use pass, lunch,and discount coupons for clothing and equipment. Cost of rental equipment, if needed, is $15 for this program only. To ensure space, please pre-register.
New England Women's XC Ski Day is scheduled at Bethel Nordic Center, NH on January 29 with gear demo, lunch, prizes, wax demo, fun relay and more. Clinics for every level from first timer to elite racer. Special lodging rates at the Snowy Owl Inn or Town Square Condos. Fund raiser for the Circle Program. anne.donaghy@valley.net or www.nensa.net/women
Catamount Trail Ladies's XC Ski Expo at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT on Jan 7, 2012 from 9 AM - 4 PM with 2 sessions on the snow in 3 different disciplines (backcountry/telemark, classic, skate), lunch, clothing demonstation, equipment talk, and a wine & cheese gathering at the end of the day. Registration is limited to 100 participants and it is $65 for CTA members or $90 for nonmembers. joannhanowski@gmail.com or Catamount Trail Association at www.catamounttrail.org
Aroostook Women's Day at Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle, ME is set for Feb 5 with ski clinics, Zumba, snowshoe tours, healthy lifestyle seminars, door prizes, and a catered lunch. $30 registration prior to Jan 4 ($40 after). www.nordicheritagecenter.org
Girlfriends Getaway package at Eddington House Inn, North Bennington, VT for 2 nights of lodging, 2 60-minute spa treatments, dinner for 2, and more for $235 per person or $175 per person for one night package.
Pineridge Cross Country Ski Area in Peterburgh, NY nestled in the Berkshire and Taconic mountains has a Women's Learn to Ski Day on Wed, Jan 11 offering a free lesson if you rent gear and pay a trail pass OR a half price lesson if you have your own gear and pay a trail pass. The Women's Skill Building Day, which is set for Wed, Feb 8 at 11:30 AM is a similar program.
Bristol Harbor in Canandaigua, NY has the Valentine's Dine & Stay offer from Feb 11-20, which includes 1 night lodging, a $55 meal voucher for dinner, a bottle of local vineyard wine and a Valentine's gift item for $195 per couple on weekdays and $299 for 2 nights; On the weekend the package includes a BF voucher too and is $249 for one night and $349 for 2 nights.
LAST YEAR On Saturday Jan 22 and Mar 12 the Ultimate Groove Telemark Camps for women will be held at Mt Sunapee in NH. The camps emphasize adventure, camaraderie, and fun including a full-day of instruction in small groups with video analysis to help visualize improvement. The Camp caters to all ability levels including beginners. Rental equipment is available at Mount Sunapee. The cost includes a lift ticket is $217 and $170 for season pass holders. Info at www.ultimategrooves.com
CENTRAL
The Inga-Lami Northwoods XC Ski Event for Women is at Minocqua Winter Park in WI on Jan 15 for a fun festival, race and more.
Stokely Creek Lodge in Goulais River, Ontario has the Women's Getaway Weekend on Jan 20-21 with free group ski lessons, gourmet meals, and more. A 50% discount for the woman that sends in the best chocolate dessert recipe by Jan 1
Lutsen Resort, MN on the north shore of Lake Superior in MN has its Girlfriend Getaway Package, which includes a bottle of champagne, massage or treatment, dinner, BF for minimum of 4 people/2 nights.
Maplelag Resort in Callaway, MN has the Women's Yoga Retreat on Jan 27 and the Women's Wellness Retreat on Feb 7.
Timber Ridge Nordic Center in Traverse City, MI has a Wednesday Ladies Night with cross country skiing or snowshoeing and a speaker with munchies. See the Regional NW Michigan Page for Timber Ridge contact info.
Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis, MN has regular women's program for women and by women. Check for monthly programs at www.midwestmtn.com
WEST
Frisco Nordic Center in CO has Women's XC Skate Skiing Clinics in 4-week programs scheduled to start on Jan 9, 10, and 11 for various levels of ski skating skills. Call 970-668-0866 for more details.
Bohart Ranch in Bozeman, MT has Adult Women's Advanced Beginner Clinics - 8 weeks on Sundays at 1:30 - 3:00 PM Jan 18 - Mar 4 for improving technique and efficiency in your skiing $100 and there is a Women's Beginner Skate Clinic on Jan 18 - Feb 15.
Ski, Sip & Spa Day at Devils Thumb Ranch in Tabernash, CO on Jan 29 (10-5) includes xc ski lessons, lunch, yoga, hot tub, sauna, and wine and cheese for $95. Massage or facial on special $89. Call to reserve 970-726-1054.
Women-Only Skate Clinic at Galena Lodge in Ketchum, ID on Jan 21 and Feb 18.
The Alaska Ski for Women event is in Kincaid Park in Anchorage, Alaska on Feb 5, 2012 with 4 km fun race fundraiser, prizes for costume contest, best team and more. Gathering in the stadium at 11 AM. Race with timed waves and Party Waves scheduled on Superbowl Sunday. For more info go to www.anchoragenordicski.com
Colorado Ski for Women at Steamboat Ski Touring Center on Jan 29 is a fundraiser fun day on the snow skiing with friends and/or family in costumes, lessons, demo gear, entertainment.Wednesdays are Ladies Day at Steamboat with 10% discounts on trail passes, lessons, and retail sales!
The Silver Star Mountain Resort in Silver Star, British Columbia has a Ladies Day Snowshoe Tour & Lunch on Feb 8 and Mar 8 with a guided tour to the Wild Horseman's Cabin for lunch and a memorable time. 10-2 PM. $50 for guided tour and lunch with your own snowshoes or add $8 for snowshoe rentals.
Women's Ski & Yoga is on Feb 24-26 within the Methow Valley Winter Festival week on the Methow Valley Trails in Winthrop, WA. The program is produced by Winthrop Fitness for all levels and it includes accommodations at the Sun Mountain Lodge, a wine reception, sessions and presentations, breakfast and lunch, and a Saturday night dinner. $350 Advance registration.509-996-8234 http://www.winthroppt.com/skiyoga.html
Keystone Nordic Center in Keystone, CO has a weekly Friday Ladies Day with a cross country ski lesson in the morning and a choice of snowshoeing or ski skating in the afternoon. 9:45-3:15 includes lunch. Click the Colorado Page and scroll down to Keystone.
The Home Ranch in Clark, CO (near Steamboat Springs) has Women's Yoga and Horsemanship Retreatsscheduled for May, June, September, and October. These weeklong programs are popular.
Women's Only Clinic at Auburn Ski Club trails in Soda Springs, CA on Feb 12 to focus on technique improvement, balance and body position and how it makes skiing easier. 2 hours with video review afterwards. $50 for members, $70 for nonmembers. www.farwestnordic.org
Women's Ski Clinic at Bulkley Valley Nordic Centre near Smithers, BC on Saturday January 15 at 10 AM - 3 PM for a a fun clinic for women who are new to the sport of cross country skiing, or for those wanting to brush up on their technique. Go to page BC Nordic or Website: www.bvnordic.ca
LAST YEAR Royal Gorge in Soda Springs, CA has the Ski de Femme program, which includes 5 on snow sessions every other week starting on Jan 1. All xc skiing skills are covered during the program.
LAST YEAR Luna Chix at Northstar at Tahoe to learn to telemark ski on snow by women instructors with a relaxed student-centric approach. There are 3 different levels from first timer to advanced. 10-3:30. $139 includes lift pass, 4 hours instruction, and lunch voucher. www.northstarattahoe.com of 530-562-3270. Benefits "Girls on the Run - Sierras"
LAST YEAR Mount Washington Alpine Resort in Vancouver Island, British Columbia has the Women's Day Escapes on Tuesdays for a 1.5 hour lesson, lunch and trail pass for $37.50 or $25 for season pass holders and Women's Weekend March 4-6 that includes a Nordic ski lesson, lunch, and trail pass for $35. Click BC Nordic to get to the Mt. Washington Web site.
LAST YEAR Cypress Mountain outside of Vancouver in BC has the Women's Week with an intro to xc skiing and snowshoeing on Mar 7-11. Go to page BC Nordic or Website: www.bvnordic.ca
Ski Like A Woman resource network on the Web. www.skilikeawoman.com
XC Ski Clinics for Women
Overcoming fear of speed - finding the balance by Julia West
One of the main concerns for many skiing women is control.
Women love the sport - as long as they don't have to go too fast. There
is a difference between many women and men in this regard. We seem to
have a different definition of survival instinct! Many women have agreed
with me that having children has increased that instinct, which is understandable.
So how do we deal with it when we are involved in a sport
that encourages some risk? The first step is to recognize it, accept
it, and know that our approach to overcoming it might be different from
men's. Because of this, many women have found their most enjoyable skiing
to be with other women - no pressure, no macho, no expectations, and
lots of support. Go to an xc ski area and ask if there are "women
only" programs available. Check out XCSkiResorts.com for info on
women's events and programs.
At the same time, challenge yourself to improve your skiing
skills. This is guaranteed to subtly build your confidence. Possibly
without realizing it, your fears will subside as your skills improve.
There are some comfortable ways to improve skills. Number
one, work on balance, both on and off the snow. Practice standing yoga
postures when you get a chance. When you are on skis, there are many
one ski balance exercises you can do. First, on flat tracks with only
one ski on and no poles, practice pushing off with the other foot and
seeing how far you can glide without putting your foot down. Can you
glide to a stop?
Next, choose a gentle downhill with tracks. Get a glide
going with two skis, then lift one ski and try to keep it in the air
while you glide on the other down the hill. You can always put the other
down if you start losing your balance. As you get better at this, you
can increase the pitch of the hill and the speed you're going. Notice
that the faster you go, the more forward the orientation of the body
will be to keep up with your skis. Your hips will remain over your feet,
but you'll feel yourself flexing the ankles more, and won't have a straight
upright stance. This may seem scary, but build it up gradually and it
can be quite exhilirating as you become more secure.
The third challenge is step turns. Remember, any time you lift a ski
off the snow, you are improving your balance! On a gentle slope and
wide trail, step to one side for a few steps without turning. Step to
the other side. Now try a step turn. Take LOTS of LITTLE steps at first.
Remember, you're not striding here; you need to pick up a flat ski and
turn it. Don't lift your heel to push off! You'll get your momentum
from the hill. Keep your legs bent and your body in a low and stable
position. As you get more comfortable, increase the speed at which you
do step turns. Try stepping in and out of the tracks at different speeds.
All of these exercises can (and should) be done by any
level skier. I do them all the time. There are other techniques to improve
skills and increase confidence, but let's start with balance. Enjoy
those boards that are strapped to your feet; they are meant to glide!
Julia West is a member of the PSIA Nordic Development Team and is a ski school director, who lives in North River, NY.
Ski Walking - Get Ready for the Snow With This New Activity
Dr. Christaine Northrup, author of "Mother-Daughter Wisdom" and "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom," said "My Ski Walking poles have been a terrific addition to my regular exercise program. I love the way they incorporate my upper body during a walk, thus giving me more strength-training and calorie burning for the time spent. I highly recommend them to everyone!" See the full article about Ski Walking on the Action Page at Get Ready - Ski Walking.
Other Women's Pages on XCSkiResorts.com:
Women's
XC Products | Snowshoeing for Women
Skin Care in the Cold
