2009 Women’s Snowboard Camp Directory

Tanya Schmid

• January 08 2009
• 3,596 views
• 10 comments

The MGT girls! Photo by Stephanie Nitsch

What sounds better? Shredding your resort with the same old crew doing the same old moves, or getting out to awesome locations all over the world with a group of girls and incredible professional coaches and learning new tricks! I don’t know about you, but I pick number two. If you agree, check out this guide to girls snowboard camps. Camps run in both the winter and the summer. This guide is for you, girl! So get out there, have some fun, learn new stuff and get inspired!

FREERIDE

Women’s Snowboard Camp – Jackson Hole, Wyoming

If there’s any one mountain that will push your progression limits and test your inner daredevil, it’s Jackson Hole. On a mountain where 50-percent of the terrain is considered expert, the Women’s Snowboard Camp, guided by three-time World Extreme Snowboard Champion Julie Zell, will unleash your freeride skills, and teach you to harness the rugged beast of Wyoming. The untamed terrain at J-Hole becomes a playground of possibilities for discovering a new riding style. This four-day camp takes you beyond lift lines and into the steep and deep, where you’ll learn that ‘intimidation’ is just a useless word and ‘off-piste’ is your new favorite saying. Every day finishes with apres-riding activities and a dinner party.
Level: Intermediate to advanced
Date: January 14–17, 2009
Web site: www.jacksonhole.com/info/ski.ac.womenboardcamp.asp

Babes in the Backcountry – Breckenridge, Colorado

Babes in the Backcountry teaches you the A–Z of backcountry skills through multi-day tour classes and avalanche training seminars. Operating on a leaner schedule this winter, the main opportunity is the Sisters In The Steeps, a multi-day seminar at Silverton Mountain in April. You’ll leave with a savvy understanding of avalanche safety and a desire to never return to in-bounds riding again. Sisters In The Steeps, a multi-day seminar at Silverton Mountain, is another top choice.
Level: Strong intermediate to advanced
Dates: Sisters In The Steeps, April 10–12, 2009, Avalanche classes offered through the winter. (Check back in 2010 for a full menu of winter classes.)
Web sites: www.babesinthebackcountry.com

SheRide Snowboard Camp - Durango, Colorado

SheRide Snowboard Camp is based around the unbelievable joy and confidence of learning to ride surrounded by women. They offer two camps at Durango and one at Steamboat Springs, which includes a one-day powder cat option! Proceeds from the camp go directly to helping at-risk teens. Sheride works in partnership with SOS Outreach Durango to provide a five-time snowboarding program. The SOS program provides at-risk teens with positive experiences and role models.

FREESTYLE

MGT—Western Canada

MGT features an all-star coaching cast including Leanne Pelosi, Alexis Waite, Marie-France Roy, Annie Boulanger, Desiree Melancon … shall we continue? This is the premier women’s camp and is offered four times through the winter (and then partners up with High Cascade and South America Snow Session in the summer—see below). It’s so much fun, you’ll learn a ton, and make lots of new friends—what more do you need to know?
Level: Beginner to advanced
Dates & Prices: April 4–5, 2009 Mount Norquay, Banff, A.B. ($299 CAN)
Web site: http://www.mgtsnowboardcamp.com/v2/index.php

High Cascade Snowboard Camp—Timberline, Oregon

HCSC’s private park on Mt. Hood’s glacier is a progressive playground of jibs and jumps for all skill levels. All-girls camps are offered all summer long—you can choose to ride with just girls or mix it up with the boys. Either way you’ll learn from your coach and from top pro riders who come to every Signature Session. Off the hill is packed with entertainment including talent shows, ghost stories during the s’mores party, dodgeball (duck!), and skate clinics. Also, MGT has hooked up with High Cascade for summer session 6!
Level: Beginner to advanced
Dates: All summer, MGT: session 6 (Aug. 8-15)

Web site: http://www.highcascade.com/07/snow/summer/hcscgirl.htm

Droppin’ In Weekend—Loon Mountain, New Hampshire

Looking for a strictly-freestyle camp on the East coast? Loon Mountain’s Droppin’ In Weekend is a two-day clinic for women wanting to learn all aspects of terrain park riding. Ride in the camp’s own private park at the top rated terrain park in the East. Learn to dominate any feature or own the 450-foot long Superpipe with the support of the mountain’s best female freestyle coaches. But it’s not just park progression that makes Droppin’ In so hot. Park building and maintenance is a big part of this weekend clinic, and you might just end up leaving with a few ideas on building your own jump. After riding, take part in an equipment-tuning workshop to keep your gear on point all season long. You also your own helmet from R.E.D., a private park, video review, new friends, and fresh skills!! Get more info at 800-229-LOON.
Level: Intermediate to advanced
Dates: March 7–8 and March 28–29, 2009
Cost: $198 including lift access and lessons
Web site: www.loonmtn.com

RadGalz Classic—Whistler, British Columbia

RadGalz creates and hosts snowboarding events and clinics for women. The Annual RadGalz Classic has developed into a one-day clinic and competition where you’ll learn to push your abilities in a new direction. Wrap up the day with an awards ceremony and a fabulous fashion show, complete with tutus, live music, and much more.
Level: Beginner to advanced
Dates: 2009 Dates TBA
Website: www.radgalz.com

Roxy Women’s Snowboard Camps – Whistler/Blackcomb, British Columbia

Have you ever thought about learning to snowboard? Then check out the Roxy Women’s Learn to Ride Camp. If you can already link turns, then the Roxy Women’s All Star Snowboard Camp is for you. This is a warm positive environment that will help you get to that next level fast. From freeriding to terrain parks the options are yours to explore. You’ll get video to help you along and the après is a riot, complete with your new friends, a few prizes and lots of the day’s triumphs to share.
Level: Beginner to advanced
Dates: Dec 6/7, Jan 10/11, Jan 24/25, Feb 7/8, Mar 7/8, Apr 4/5
Cost:$179
Website: Advanced: http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/reservations/Lessons/mg_34/v_1468/b_96/Roxy-Women-s-All-Star-Ski-Snowboard-Camp.detail
Beginner: http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/reservations/Lessons/mg_34/v_1468/b_141/Roxy-Women-s-Learn-to-Ride-Camp.detail

TRAVEL

Our Camp—Les Deux Alpes, France

Snowboarding in the Alps is a necessary mandate in life. Our Camp features six day sessions in the Southern French Alps—an area that enjoys a blend of French and Italian cultures. After pumping the walls in the pipe or sliding boxes at the famous snowpark on the summer glacier, prepare to display your archery skills or take a screaming ride on the alpine slide off-hill. The wine flows like water at Our Camp, and the 30 or so bars at the resort will provide more than a glimpse into European nightlife.
Level: Beginner to advanced
Dates: January 18–25, 2009, April 5–12, 2009, (Day coaching available all winter long at Portes Du Soleil)
Cost: TBA
Web site: www.ourcamp.co.uk

Girlie Snow Camps—Saas Fee or Laax. Switzerland

Run by Camp Director and Roxy girl extraordinaire, Tina Birbaum, this is one of the coolest camps in Europe. Girlie campers ride at two of the most snowboarder-friendly resorts in Europe—Saas Fee or Laax—for six days girls ride in small groups and grind away on learning new freestyle skills. Campers can expect daily video analysis on top of a guaranteed four hours of lessons per day. The Girlie Base Camp deal includes a stay at the Caprilonuge Hotel.
Level: Beginner to advanced
Dates:
•Laax: 840 Euros: January 31–February 7, 2009; February 7–14, February 14– 21, February 21–28, February 28– March 6 (6 nights, 750 Euros), March 8–15
•Saas Fe: (140 Euros/day) March 28– April 11, 2009
•Summer Camps At Les Deux Alps: 840 Euros
June 27–July 4, 2009; July 4–11
Cost: TBA
Web site: www.girliecamps.com

MGT/SASS—Bariloche, Argentina

Watch out for the “More Good Times” rolling your way. MGT and South American Snow Sessions (SASS) have partnered up to offer a two-week camp in Bariloche, Argentina. The opposite season down south means plenty of pow days and a highly-trained coaching staff. Learn to handle cliffs, build backcountry booters, and rip up the park with your fellow ladies. The adventure continues off the hill with daily Spanish lessons for campers—or you can opt to eat your way through the South American culture. Asado, chocolate, arriba!
Level: Intermediate to advanced
Dates: TBA
Cost: TBA

Web site: http://www.mgtsnowboardcamp.com/v2/index.php, www.sasnowsessions.com

Snow Girls—Snow Park, New Zealand

The Snow Girls camp (now in its seventh year) is a two-day, overnight camp based in New Zealand’s top freestyle park. Snow Park has every type of progressive park feature. The Half Pint Park is the choice spot for beginner campers to learn the basics or for anyone looking to develop new skills. Discover intermediate or advanced features with your coach, or roll up to the quarterpipe or the two Superpipes and dig in. Expect to extend your stay by a few weeks to stay and ride—you’ll be itching for more.
Level: Beginner to advanced
Dates: Summer 2009 TBA
Cost: $260—340
Web site: www.snowgirlnz.com

(Did we miss your camp? Please e-mail annie.fast@transworld.net to be considered.)