In addition to Vail’s annual ski goddess (Skadi Vail) event, many Colorado ski areas offer ways for women on the slopes to improve their confidence, skills, or connection with other snow lovers. Women-specific clinics, lessons and events abound for female skiers and riders. Whether a guest is new to the sport, an advanced veteran or looking to enjoy a different kind of learning environment, Colorado ski areas have something for everyone. Participating women will enjoy networking with fellow active skiing and snowboarding women, learning new skills from leading professional female instructors, and enjoying women-centered experiences.
Below are women’s clinics available to female skiers and riders in Colorado. Some recur every week; others are special multi-day events.
Weekly Clinics
Arapahoe Basin – Legendary Ladies Clinic
First on the list, Arapahoe Basin’s women’s clinic group meets on Wednesday mornings for sliding on snow and exploring A-Basin’s terrain in a fun, non-intimidating environment. Each session is led by specialized women’s coaches, and both skiers and snowboarders are welcome. Small class sizes allow for individualized attention; all Legendary Ladies classes max out at six students per instructor.
Copper Mountain – Women’s Wednesdays
Copper’s Women’s Wednesdays offers the opportunity for women to build new relationships, improve their skills and set goals to conquer. Talented female instructors work with each guest in this fun, easy-learning environment.
Crested Butte – Women’s Tips on Tuesdays
Crested Butter recently hosted the Elan Big Mountain Women’s Weekend for women on the slopes who are intermediate level and above. On Tuesdays, the resort offers half-day women’s-specific ski school session is led by CBMR’s top female professionals, and concludes with a glass of wine at the resort’s new on-mountain Umbrella Bar. The Women’s Tips on Tuesdays clinic is available to female skiers levels 3-7 and is ideal for ladies looking for a guided group session with instruction and an informal, fun vibe.
Loveland – Women’s Only Clinics
These midweek clinics offer intermediate to expert women on the slopes a great opportunity to ski or snowboard with other women in an engaging environment, taught by Loveland’s top expert female instructors.
Monarch – Women’s Wednesdays
New for the 2017-18 season, Monarch will be hosting a Women’s Wednesday Social Club. Every Wednesday, women will meet in the base lodge for a fun day of specialized tips, demo skis/boards, fashion shows, coffee, lunch, fun runs and more.
Multi-Day Events
Whether because they’re concerned about the low numbers of women on the slopes compared to men, or because they want to offer women fun alternatives for multi-day adventures, several resorts also offer getaways combining instruction, connection and fun.
Aspen Snowmass – Women’s Edge Program
First, Aspen offers a four day Women’s Edge Program for women on the slopes, led by Aspen’s top female instructors. This clinic has been running for more than 30 years. Participants can range from intermediate to advanced, and the group can ski at any of Aspen Snowmass’s four mountains: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass. The final day includes an après party for participants.
Eldora – Women’s Days Multi-Week Program
Next, The Eldora Women’s Days Program helps women improve their skills. Snowbunnies can share their passion for winter sports with other women on the slopes. Designed for women, guests choose from either the Alpine or Nordic programs. Women’s Days include a tasty continental breakfast and gourmet lunch prepared daily. Participants enjoy four-hour guided experiences with Eldora’s top instructors.
Powderhorn – Ski Like a Girl
The “Ski Like a Girl” program is designed to build female participants’ confidence everywhere from the bumps to the groomers. Guests can learn from Powderhorn’s top female instructors, meet new friends and explore a variety of terrain in a fun and non-competitive environment.
Silverton – Big Mountain Betty Fest (February 10-12)
Silverton’s Big Mountain Betty Fest is an all-women heli-skiing weekend in the San Juan Mountains. The inaugural event will include expert-only skiing and riding on steep terrain, apres ski parties, giveaways and more.
Sister’s Meeting the Mountains (April 6-8)
The Annual Silverton Sisters’ Meeting in the Mountains is a weekend packed with phenomenal expert-only skiing, networking, inspiration and education. Guests can participate in educational and inspirational presentations from the most respected women in the industry.
Steamboat – Women’s Ski Camp
Two of Steamboat’s Olympians, Deb Armstrong and Ann Battelle, host Steamboat’s Women’s Ski Camps with certified, experienced female coaches. Emphasis is on camaraderie, fun and skill improvement. Steamboat pros create a positive atmosphere that maximizes learning during the three-day clinics.
Telluride – Women’s Ski & Wellness Week
The Telluride Women’s Ski & Wellness Week was started by Annie Varielle-Savath in 1981, and will celebrate the 36th anniversary in 2018. It is the ultimate ski and yoga retreat. Attendees enjoy a week full of yoga, meditation, wellness speakers and après fun with expert ski instruction, no matter their level of expertise.
SheRide Snowboard Camp
The SheRide Women’s Snowboard Camp provides lessons to all levels of snowboarders, from never-ever riders to advanced double-black riders. The SheRide coaching team is a professionally certified, all-women team who understand the biodynamics of the body and the power of the mind when snowboarding.
Winter Park – Women’s Ski Camps
Finally, Winter Park Resort offers Women’s Ski Camps for women to fully immerse themselves in the experience of skiing. Camps are coached by specially trained women instructors and provide a laid-back, supportive environment. The camps offer first tracks access and après ski experiences.