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Slopeside sisterhood

Women band together in the spirit of friendship, support to hone their skills in Colorado's outdoors

Catherine Lutz, Special to the News

Published December 19, 2006 at midnight

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If stereotypes are based on at least a kernel of truth, the one about women grouping together for camaraderie, inspiration and even some friendly competition definitely advances that concept.

Put another way, girls like hanging out with other girls, and when they do, they tend to benefit from some kind of "she power."

"When women join together in an all-women's group, the environment is noncompetitive; it's very supportive and takes you away from that social contest in everyday life," said Leslie Ross, founder of Babes in the Backcountry, a Breckenridge-based organization whose all-female staff educates women in outdoor skills.

When it comes to outdoor endeavors - such as skiing, snowboarding or backcountry awareness - women-specific classes and clinics have taken off during the past few years, so that every self-respecting major resort in Colorado now has something to offer the feminine side.

It doesn't hurt that women now make up about half all skiers, make the majority of travel decisions for their families and are spending a lot more money on gear - while the same trends among men are flat or declining, according to Mountain Sports Media. So female-specific programs are a good business decision.

And as demand continues to snowball, more in that realm is offered - and more importantly, the quality increases, as more women are out there teaching and programs get fine-tuned to women's needs and desires.

No longer an afterthought or just a piece of clever marketing, women's camps and clinics are here to stay. The following is a sampling of recommended ones around Colorado.

Backcountry/avalanche training

• Babes in the Backcountry offers multiple backcountry and avalanche training courses throughout the winter around the state, for all levels. Intro to the Backcountry: Jan. 5-6 at Telluride, Jan. 21 for snowboarders at Breckenridge, and Feb. 3 at Breckenridge. Avalanche Level I courses are Jan. 12-14 at Crested Butte and Feb. 23-25 at Telluride.

Ski/snowboard

Novice

• Novice female skiers can gain confidence on Beaver Creek's slopes with the three-day Women Discovering Skiing program coached by top female instructors, Feb. 2-4. For ages 15 and older; reservations required. 1-866-231-0667.

• Aspiring boarders can start off on the right foot - regular or goofy - at Burton Learn-to-Ride women's lessons every day at Keystone. Full-day or nighttime programs are designed to fast track the learning curve. 1-800-255-3715.

Intermediate and up

• Aspen/Snowmass offers its Women's Edge skill-advancing four-day ski workshops every week from Jan. 8-March 22. Taught by PSIA-certified pros, Women's Edge workshops are for intermediate skiers looking to build confidence in their abilities and advanced skiers eager for the challenges of double-black terrain. Includes video analysis, equipment lectures and exploration of four mountains with small groups of similar abilities. 1-877-282-7736.

• The Women's Edge Extreme Camp, Jan. 22-25, provides technical and psychological coaching for expert skiers in extreme terrain. Open to female skiers levels 8 and up; reservations required. 1-877-282-7736.

• Salomon is co-sponsoring a one-day women's camp Jan. 28 at Copper for intermediate and advanced skiers to learn how to explore the mountain and enjoy variable terrain. Includes demo skis and meals. 1-866-416-9875.

• Crested Butte local and freeskiing champ Alison Gannett leads a steep skiing camp for women Jan. 13-14. Learn Gannett's progression method and even catch some air. .

• U.S. ski team veteran and world extreme skiing champion Kim Reichhelm offers her clinic, Women's Ski Adventure - including video analysis and product demos - Feb. 12-17. 1-888-444-8151, .

• Women with intermediate level and above skills can take advantage of Steamboat's women's clinics, which offer perks such as first tracks on the second and third days. Ski seminars offered Jan. 9-11 and Feb. 6-8; snowboard sessions are Jan. 9-11 and March 6-8. 1-800-299-5017, .

• Silverton is the site for the fabulous Sisters in the Steeps all-women's big mountain adventure March 31-April 1. 1-970-453-4060. .

• Silverton also hosts a Sisters in the Steeps event Jan. 8-9. .

• Vail's Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin are the venues for the resort's Her Turn workshops for intermediate and advanced female skiers and snowboarders. Top female pros guide small groups through terrain and give technique tips. Offered Feb. 2-4 and March 2-4. 1-800-475-4543.

• Intermediate and advanced skiers are invited to test next year's women's-specific gear and enhance their equipment knowledge Feb. 23-25 with SKI magazine former women's ski test director Krista Crabtree. ; info@sheskis.net.

• Winter Park hosts three Women's Progressive Clinics on Jan. 8, 22 and 29 for women who want to develop their skiing, improve skills and get helpful tips for achieving personal goals - with the same instructors throughout the season. 1-970-726-1564; .

All abilities

• A weeklong women's ski camp is offered to women of all abilities at Breckenridge from Jan. 30-Feb. 2 - complete with all female instructors, video analysis, parties and a complimentary massage at the end of the day. Novice skiers strengthen their skills, while more advanced skiers push themselves to new skill levels in an environment of camaraderie and friendly competition. 1-888-LRN.2SKI, .

• A working women's ski camp based on the same concept is held March 2-3. 1-888-LRN-2SKI, .

• Copper Mountain offers Women's Wednesdays - a seasonlong program in which Copper's best female instructors lead classes for all abilities of skiers and snowboarders. Available all season long or as a drop-in class, through March 28. .

• Women who like to ski or ride together can enroll in Betty Fest at Keystone. Add-on yoga classes are an option. Offered Jan. 20-21 and Feb. 10-11. 1-800-255-3715.

• A 25-year tradition, Women's Ski Week includes a welcome reception (plus additional parties), five hours of instruction a day and an alignment session. This winter, themes mark the women's week programs: Jan 25-27, Fashion and Fitness (for alpine skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers); Feb. 11-15, Health and Nutrition (alpine only); Feb. 26-March 2, Mountain Living (alpine only).

• At Winter Park, women with similar skiing or snowboarding experience can meet for a Women's Ski and Ride Weekend on Feb. 3-4 to improve their skills. 1-800-729-7907, .

• One of Winter Park's most popular programs, the Women's Mid-Season clinic, is taught by top female instructors who coach women to improve style and technique. Feb. 14 and March 7. 1-800-729-7907.

Telemark

• For women who don't want to waste time, Loveland Ski Area offers two half-day telemark clinics this winter, on Jan. 17 and Feb. 14. For all abilities. Reservations required. 303-571-5580, Ext. 163.

• Babes in the Backcountry offers several telemark clinics - taught by seasoned female instructors - at Colorado ski areas. At Winter Park on Jan. 15, Copper on Feb. 3, Telluride on March 9, Crested Butte on March 24 and Loveland April 14. 1-970-453-4060; .

More information

There are several ways to learn more about Babes in the Backcountry.

Web site:

Phone: 970-453-4060

E-mail: info@babesinthebackcountry.com