Skiing is often a personal journey. You’re challenging yourself, embracing mother nature and patting yourself on the back when you try something new. Seven years ago, I started a ski coaching camp called Girls Do Ski with the intention of providing a unique experience where women can push their boundaries, build confidence and try new things in a supportive and safe environment. This year we’ve expanded, offering three different backcountry camps in addition to our resort camps.
I’ve learned over the last seven years that Girls Do Ski is so much more than a ski lesson. We’re inspiring girls and women who are making jumps on the ski hill, and then taking leaps in their lives at home.
“The encouraging and empowering experience of leaping off a cliff (committing to something I didn’t really know I could do, doing it and feeling the love from so many girls) was something that gave me the confidence to take a leap and change in my life.” said one of our skiers.
Over two days, skiers are divided into three groups. Check out this video to see where you’d fit in. Groups are lead by some of British Columbia’s leading professional freeskiers. These women inspire me professionally and have an ability to connect with all skiers and bring out the best in each one of them.
One skier at our recent Revelstoke Camp had this to say about the coaching: “Girls Do Ski offered a great teacher ratio and supportive atmosphere to push boundaries.”
Skiers get to explore new terrain, they’re challenged to try new things and are given tips to help improve their technique. Salomon also participates in the camp by offering demos of the Rockette, allowing skiers to try out new gear and get a feel for different ski sizes.
We also offer two lunches on the ski hill to refuel and connect with other skiers. Lunch conversation is intended to inspire. But that’s not all. What would be a day on the hill without après ski? On the first day of our camps, we offer a social gathering so all skiers and coaches can connect and have some fun.
Girls Do Ski wouldn’t be possible without the support of our sponsors and our sponsors don’t want our skiers going home empty-handed. We always finish off the weekend with a prize draw, which includes clothing from The North Face and a new pair of skis from Salomon.
There’s still room in our camps this season. Visit girlsdoski.com for more information and to sign up. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
Sharing this with a bunch of my east coast girlfriends who are always asking me if I will go skiing with them (and teach them…). I think we should all go to BC and work with the inspirational and always high-spirited Coach Izzy. I would love to do one of these camps. You ladies are doing amazing work. Keep it up! xo