Gems are a Girl’s Best Friend – It’s no secret that girls love diamonds. And girls in Colorado also love powder. That’s why I like skiing at Colorado Ski Country USA Gem Resorts. There are nine resorts in Ski Country referred to as the Colorado Gems. They are found off the beaten path, have fewer crowds, less wait time, and therefore, offer more skiing. They also offer great programs, some especially for women. With a Colorado Gems Card and programs like these, ladies can ski the bling and play in the pow all winter. Below is a snapshot of the Colorado Gems Resorts and some of the specialized programs they offer their guests. (Programs may change).
Photo courtesy of Loveland Ski Area
A-Basin
Arapahoe Basin offers clinics in telemarking, women’s telemarking, extreme mountain clinics and tele steep camps. Women’s Tele Clinic is a program where girls ditch the guys and rip with the girls. Instructors emphasize techniques for women.
Babes at the Basin is a weekly program where like-minded women can ski the mountain, learning from advanced female skiers all the while making new friends.
New this year is Echo’s Parent & Me Semi-Private Lesson. This one-hour, semi-private session offers personalized coaching to provide parents with the skills required to teach skiing to children three years old and to prepare the child for group and private lessons by the age of four.
Eldora has gender specific four and six-week programs in alpine, cross-country, snowboarding and telemark that let women enjoy the mountain, testosterone-free, on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Women have two options: skiing/snowboarding/telemark or cross-country. The program includes a tasty continental breakfast, gourmet lunch, and four hours of training with instructors.
Click here to get the 2010-2011 Gems Card!
Loveland
Loveland offers a women’s specific telemark program for all abilities on select dates throughout the season. Participants are divided accordingly based on skill and quality.
Shredder’s program at Monarch Ski & Ride School specifically for ages 7-18 on Sundays. The season long program includes: Five days of lessons, a season pass to Monarch that is good all season long, and bus transportation to and from Colorado Springs.
At Powderhorn they offer weekends that celebrate the Women of Winter. Deals for women plus product demos, fashion show, chocolate and wine. Women’s Clinics are held during the weekends.
Photo courtesy of SolVista Basin
There are twice a week clinics for intermediate and advanced women skiers. Taught by women for women, participants won’t feel intimidated or under pressure to ski a trail they don’t want to. It is a skier’s choice clinic, so they tailor the clinic to what participants want to learn.
Guaranteed Start to Ski or Snowboard lesson includes lift ticket, lesson and rental.
She Rides (Ladies only!) Scheduled lesson sessions throughout the season for women.
