Winter School: Higher Education at Altitude
Hone your skills — and reduce rental hassle — in snow country by taking a clinic at one of the following six resorts, serviced by Ski Butlers.
Aspen Mountain, Colorado
Whether it’s freshly-groomed corduroy or newly-fallen powder snow glittering in the early sun, skiing or riding the mountain first is an incredible experience. Join staff at Aspen or Snowmass for the First Tracks program, an early morning run on fresh snow. This program runs throughout the season and is available to upper-intermediate skiers or snowboarders, ages 11 and up. Advanced reservations are required and space is limited. Visit aspensnowmass.com.
Big Sky, Montana
Big Sky is truly big — with 5,800 acres of skiing and riding, including 300 named runs on 4 mountains (half of that beginner/intermediate terrain and half advanced/expert). Big Sky’s Women’s Clinic offers women — intermediate through expert — the chance to gain confidence on Big Sky’s big mountain slopes, both on and off-piste. Taught by female Big Sky pros and limited to 6 per group, the clinic includes three days of guiding and instruction, video analysis. Visit bigskyresort.com.
Boreal Mountain Resort, California
Near scenic Lake Tahoe, Boreal Mountain Resort offers diverse skiing, snowboarding, beautiful scenery and family fun. Woodward Tahoe at Boreal offers kids of all levels the opportunity to develop park and pipe skills starting off with air awareness in the unique indoor training facility. This ski and snowboard program includes half and full day sessions. Visit rideboreal.com.
Deer Valley, Utah
Twin brothers, Phil and Steve Mahre, were world-class ski racers, collecting dozens of World Cup victories (Phil 27, Steve, 9) and three Olympic medals for Slalom (Phil won gold in ‘84 in Sarajevo and silver in ’80 in Lake Placid; Steve won silver in ’84 in Sarajevo). Attend the Mahre Training Center Ski Camp and get fundamentals from these U.S. Olympic medal winners and passionate skiers. The 3- and 5‑day sessions, which run from December through February, offer instruction and indoor sessions for all abilities. Visit mahretrainingcenter.com.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Improve your big mountain skills the Steep and Deep Camp by skiing Jackson’s famed black and double-black diamond runs. The camp (for advanced through expert skiers) includes 4 days of coaching, an early tram ride, après events, tech talks and an awards dinner. Visit Jacksonhole.com.
Sun Valley, Idaho
The pristine peaks surrounding Sun Valley create an incredible backdrop to the resort that’s made up of two mountains: Dollar Mountain, with gentle terrain perfect for learning skills, and Bald Mountain, famed for long, open trails and challenging steeps. Instruction ranges from Dollar Cubs ski camps for kids to Baldy Challenge lessons for advanced youths. The Mountain Masters Program’s coaches help adults conquer the steeps of Baldy by tightening up technique and enhancing arcs both on the mountain and in the race gates. Visit sunvalley.com.
