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Travel Alberta, All Rights Reserved Written by: Travel Alberta
You've tested yourself in the early season, but now you want to gain more power in your turns, crank up your carving or learn how to finesse mind-blowing moguls. Alberta's ski camps, schools and clinics provide the opportunity to put your best feet forward without landing on your butt. You climb to the top of the mountain and find...what? Not a guru, but yourself.
While 'Ladies Only' camps and classes are becoming more popular, as ski and gear makers aim for a market that continues to grow, the opportunities to improve your skiing aren't restricted. Regardless of your age or skill level, guy or girl, here's a look at how you can go to the head of the class. And if you're a snowboarder, you can check out ride camps and schools here:
Sunshine VillageWills Adventure
At a price of $479 with a potential day lunch add-on of $69, the Salamon Women Will Adventure Camp shapes up to be more than just a deal. This camp is being marketed as an experience that goes beyond skills improvement. All abilities are welcome for four full days on the mountain, including the opportunity to demo Salomon's latest women's specific equipment. There are daily après ski activities and accommodation options are available at the newly renovated, on-hill Sunshine Inn. All lifts on the mountain were open in early December, marking the best snow conditions in 16 years.
Another Sunshine Village program that is already attracting attention is Test Your Nerve: Delirium Sundays . Every Sunday from Jan. 8 to May 20, full day lessons that include lunch, pack with transceiver, shovel and a probe allow groups of four or less to spend time at Delirium Dive, which features double black diamond terrain and variable snow conditions.
Otherwise, Sunshine is ramping up its 10-week Freeride Programs for ages 3 to 17 starting Jan. 8 that include video analysis of skills and an emphasis on fun and skills development. Kids even get a souvenir pin and a graduation diploma.
Sunshine is serious about its coaching, camps and schools, says Sunshine sales and media manager Mike Moynihan: "We want to create a legacy."
"Sunshine has perfect learning terrain with some short chairlifts and you can't turn wrong because all the runs lead back to the hotel, which is right in the centre," says Moynihan. "So it's great for families, and the (lesson) groups are small and intimidate. Our instructors are selected because they love developing relationships with people."
And the social aspect of attending a camp or ski school can be a major motivator, besides upgrading skills.
"Guests will meet new people," he says. "Sometimes families will go and their daughters will ski together, while others will meet new people and come back next year."
You can check out the Sunshine Village Ski (and Snowboard) School for more options.
Lake Louise Offers Wide Range
The Lake Louise Ski and Snowboard School offers lessons for all ages and abilities, so it's worth checking out what might best suit you. There are Discover and Performance lessons, among others. There are even Kidski and Shreddies programs (worth discovering just for the titles).
Fortress Mountain Packs Packages
You can take standard kid or adult lessons or choose from a menu to best suit you or your family's needs at Fortress Mountain Ski School.
Marmot Covers All Skill Stages
Marmot Basin Ski and Snowboard School features programs for kids and adults, beginners and other skill stages. There are Discover programs, group lessons and much more.
Castle Mountain Hands You the Keys
Castle Mountain Resort Snow School offers schools in both Discover and Super Packages.
Ski Banff @ Norquay Offers Variety
Ski Banff @ Norquay Snow School offers a variety of programs, including Christmas and spring camps.
Nakiska Gets You Going
Nakiska Snow School features (among other programs) learning to ski and snowboard packages, tailored for beginners of all ages, including everything you need to get started.
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Copyright © 2006 Travel Alberta, All Rights Reserved
Travel Alberta is the destination marketing organization for the Province of Alberta. Guided by the Strategic Tourism Marketing Council, Travel Alberta is the steward for the effective delivery of tourism marketing programs. For information about our organization, please visit our Travel Alberta industry web site at http://industry.travelalberta.com
