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Women's Events & Clinics
WOMEN EVENT & ACTIVITY
LISTINGS
Winter 2009-2010 events - look for new events to be entered beginning in November 2010
EAST
Lapland Ladies Love to Ski! A special program for women, taught by women at Lapland Lake in Northville, NY. From 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM beginner and intermediate level female skiers, grouped by ability, will receive instruction in classic (January 16 and February 13) or skate (March 13) 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. The program is led by Lapland Lake’s PSIA-certified instructors Sherry Dixon, Susan Henriksson and Jan Mares. Cost for the five-hour program is $35 including facility use pass, lunch, goody bag, and discount coupons for clothing and equipment. Cost of rental equipment, if needed, is $10 for this program only. To ensure space, please pre-register.
A women's group meets on Thursdays at the Bethel Nordic Center in Bethel. ME. Women instructors and attention to needs of the group. Casual tips and coaching rather than a formal lesson. Meets at 3:00 PM starting Dec 31.
Women's Getaway Winter Weekends at Highland Lodge in Greensboro, VT for groups of 5 or more to enjoy two nights of lodging, candlelit dinners, BFs, use of trails, Lake Champlain Chocolates and the 5th person organizer gets the weekend for FREE. Package is available midweek or on weekends but 2 night minimum required. $132.50 per night per person. Blackout dates apply.
Catamount Trail Women's Day Clinic at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT on Jan 9 from 9 AM - 4 PM with 2 sessions on the snow, lunch, clothing demonstation, equipment talk, and a wine & cheese gathering at the end of the day. $75 Advance registration - Limited to 100 participants. jhanowski@pshift.com or www.catamounttrail.org
Great Glen in Gorham, NH has the Snow Country Getaway for Women on Jan 16-17, yoga, massage, snowshoeing, fashion show, dog sledding & dinner, demo. $140 per person does not include lodging so try the Lodge in Jackson Village of Christmas Farm Inn.
New England Women's XC Ski Day is scheduled at Waterville Valley Nordic Center, NH on Jan 31 with gear demo, lunch, prizes, wax demo, fun relay and more. Clinics for every level from first timer to elite racer. Olympian Joan Benoit will speak at the event. 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
Mindful Knitting Retreat at Highland Lodge in Greensboro, VT on March 11-14 (Thur-Sun) with Tara Jon Manning for a weekend of relaxation and inspiration with knitting and meditation. Retreat includes meals, yoga, outdoor activities, goody bag, copy of Mindful Knitting book, 2 nights lodging and more. Call 802-533-2647 for info or visit www.tarahandknitting.com
Womens Winter Day at White Grass, West Virginia on Jan 30 and Feb 28 with instruction by women for all levels and techniques and lunch included. 10 AM - 3 PM.
Bolton Valley Nordic Center in VT has extensive women's instructional classes at 11 AM -1 PM with Women's Skate Ski Lessons on Wed-Sat on Jan 9-12; 23-26, Feb 6-9; Mar 5-8; 19-22. Women's Classic Ski Lessons on Jan 16-19; Feb 13; Mar 12-15.
Women's Telemark Clinics to be held at the New England Telemark Festivals in VT at Jay's Peak on Dec 12; in NH at Wildcat on Jan 9 and in ME at Sunday River on Feb 6. Clinic levels decided at event so first timers beware. www.telemarkeast.com
WEST
Mount Washington Alpine Resort in Vancouver Island, British Columbia has the Women's Weekend March 1-5 that includes a Nordic ski lesson, lunch, and trail pass for $35. Click BC Nordic to get to the Mt. Washington Web site.
Ladies Snowshoe Tour & Lunch at Silver Star on Tuesdays 10 AM- 2 PM to Wild Horsemen's Cabin $50 for guide & lunch, $58 if you need snowshoes and $10 for a horsedrawn sleigh ride return trip. 250-558-4292.
Women's Skate Ski Program at the Vail Nordic Center
in CO is sponsored by Swix for the advanced beginner to the advanced
level skier to learn the latest and greatest techniques of skate skiing.
It meets Thursdays, from 1-2:30 throughout the winter for 30 minutes
of the day's technique followed by the workout of the day. The goal
is to help you become more efficient, so you have more fun and gain
more confidence. 970-476-8366 www.vailnordiccenter.com
Women's Ski & Yoga Retreat on Feb 26-28 in Methow Valley, WA with presentations, instruction, yoga, trail passes, BF and lunch, wine party, Saturday night dinner.. $350 per person. Special lodging rates at Sun Mountain Lodge. More info at 800-572-0493 or www.winthroppt.com/skiyoga.html
Colorado Ski for Women at Steamboat Ski Touring Center on Jan 31 is a fundraiser fun day on the snow skiing with friends and/or family in costumes, lessons, demo gear, entertainment.
* Feel the Heat Womens Wellness Retreat at Devils Thumb Ranch in Tabernash, CO on Dec 12 with supportive and educational sessions by menopause expert, yoga, spa treatments, and more.
Tahoe XC in Tahoe City, CA has the Wine, Women, & Wax program on Jan 10. Bring a bottle of wine and snacks to share. Women only.
Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, MT has its Women's Nordic Clinic scheduled for all levels on Wednesdays Jan 6 - Feb 10 with video analysis 10 AM - 12 PM. $99 for six sessions with discounts offered for skier buffet lunch in the Dining Lodge. The Women's Ski Camp is set for March 6-12 with 6-night lodging, 3 daily meals, instructional sessions on downhill control, classic and skate skiing with video analysis, sleigh ride dinner, airport shuttles from Bozeman, MT and evenings with the ski staff for a variety of ski programs.
Bohart Ranch in Bozeman, MT has Adult Women's Advanced Beginner Clinics - 8 weeks on Sundays at 1:30 - 3:00 PM Jan 17 - Mar 7 for improving technique and efficiency with some skate skiing $100; Adult Women's Intermediate Skate & Classic Clinics - 5 weeks on Tuesdays at 9:30 AM - 11 AM Jan 5 - Feb 2 includes 4 skate and one classic to become more powerful skier. $60
Women's Weekend Ski Clinic at Bulkley Valley Nordic
Centre near Smithers, BC on Saturday January 16 - Sunday January 17,
10 AM - 3 PM for a a fun weekend 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
Luna Chix Clinics at Northstar at Tahoe Nordic and Snowshoe Center at Northstar at Tahoe Ski Area in CA for Skate Skiing on Dec 22, Snowshoe Running on Jan 2, and Telemark on Jan 9. 530-562-3270
Alaska Ski for Women is in Kincaid Park in Anchorage, Alaska on Feb 7 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. www.anchoragenordicski.com
Yellowstone Ski Festival on the Rendezvous Trails in West Yellowstone, MT on Nov 24-28 with demo, exhibits, technique clinics and races with 3 or 5-day women-only clinics. www.yellowstoneskifestival.com
CENTRAL
The Garland Gal's Weekend is set at Garland Resort in Lewiston, MI for Mar 5-7 with a Wine & Cheese Reception, Gourmet Food Tour, Art Show, music, gals only presentation, spa treatments available, and more.
Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis, MN has regular
women's program for women and by women. Check for monthly programs at
www.midwestmtn.com
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
Spas in XC Ski Country | Skin
Care in the Cold
