10 Women-Only Ski Camps Across Canada
After 20 years of snowboarding, I realized that my recent decision to return to skiing meant brushing up on some pretty rusty skills. I jumped at the chance to register for a two-day women-only ski camp at Whistler Blackcomb. I was excited to level up my skiing skills in an intensive yet supportive environment.
Then I found myself at the top of a run with moguls. After avoiding bumps for two decades, I was meeting my nemesis; enemy of mid-aged knees everywhere. Our coach Laurissa Stebelseski shouted instructions from the bottom, “Aim to turn on the tops where there’s softer snow.”
Claudia Laroye
That soft snow was sure to cushion my inevitable fall. Except I didn’t fall. Slowly and carefully, I followed Stebelseski’s turning instructions, buoyed by the supportive hollers from my camp mates. I made it down the run, upright and bursting with accomplishment.
The coaching and camaraderie of a women-only ski camp weekend can unlock ski and ride success for winter lovers of all ages. These dedicated women’s ski camps and programs in Canada will help you master the skills and confidence necessary to elevate your ski game, too.
Blue Mountain, Ontario
Built for women by women on Blue Mountain’s ski school team, the Women’s Alpine Experience is open to participants over 18 years old of all ability levels. Experiences are tailored to ensure participants get the most from their instructors and the chance to confidently explore all of Blue Mountain’s skiable terrain.
Dates: Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., starting January 7 and ending March 4th.
* Program does not run Family Day Weekend
Mont Orford, Quebec
Marco Bergeron, Mont Orford
This four-week ski camp for adult women at Mont Orford in Quebec’s Eastern Townships is taught by qualified instructors in a small group setting and caters to advanced beginners or advanced intermediate skiers.
Dates: Fridays, 1:15 p.m., starting January 9, 2023 or February 6, 2023.
Lake Louise, Alberta
Lake Louise
One of the most beautiful ski areas in Canada, Lake Louise Ski Resort, offers a Ladies Only program over the course of six or nine weeks. The 2023 program starts Wednesday, January 11th or February 12th, 2023. The resort is also home to the “Sisters in Send” Lake Louise Ski Club camps. Geared to young girls to improve skills, confidence and racing ability, an adult camp offering is TBD for 2023.
Dates: Vary
Fernie Alpine Resort, British Columbia
Fernie’s Early Girls high-performance camp is for adult women who want to start their day the right way. This eight-week program led by women coaches is for experienced skiers (ability level 5-6) looking to rise and shine for first tracks and no crowds, because you get lift access one hour ahead of the public.
Dates: Program runs on Sundays for eight weeks, 7:45 a.m. to 11 a.m., starting January 22, 2023.
Girls Do Ski, British Columbia
Girls Do Ski
Girls Do Ski provides a community for all women+ including female-identifying skiers at various ski levels, focused on improving technical skills, confidence and conquering mental barriers, all in an encouraging and fun mountain environment. Camps include Resort Skiing, Backcountry Ski Touring and Education Skills, taking place at and around Revelstoke Mountain Resort.
Dates: Vary
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, British Columbia
Rippin Betties Camp
There’s no better way to ‘conquer’ the vastness of Kicking Horse than with the high-performance Rippin’ Betties Camp. Geared to experienced skiers and riders (ability level 5-6), this camp focuses on building confidence, skill development and technique.
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, 8:30 a.m., January 14 – 15, February 11 – 12, or March 11 – 12, 2023
Rippin Chix, British Columbia
Rippin Chix Ladies
Rippin Chix helps intermediate to advanced women skiers achieve their wildest freeskiing dreams. Rippin’s Freeskiing camps encourage women to push their limitations and build ski confidence, al in a fun and empowering environment with pro female freeriders. Choose from resort ski camps, backcountry ski touring and cat skiing camps.
Dates: Whitewater: January 14 – 15; Apex: January 18 – 19; Pemberton: February 26 – 28; Whistler: March 26 – 28, 2023
Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler, British Columbia
Claudia Laroye
Helly Hansen’s women-only two-day ski and snowboard camps for levels 1-6 take place throughout the season. This intensive camp attracts women of all skill levels and ages, eager to level up in a supportive environment with experienced coaches.
Dates: January 14 – 15, January 28 – 29, February 11 – 12, February 25 – 26, March 11 – 12, April 1 – 2, 2023
Momentum Camps
Whether you love or hate moguls, Momentum Camps will help high intermediate to advanced skiers unlock the mystery of this terrain. If you’ve been avoiding moguls or simply frustrated by them, this camp will get you over that, um, bump.
Dates: January 13 or February 17, 2023
Women in Skiing Summit
This three-day summit is hosted by the Canadian Ski Instructors Association at Sun Peaks Ski Resort in British Columbia. It focuses on skill improvement for women instructor members, fostering community and increasing the number of women involved in the ski industry.
Dates: February 1 – 3, 2023
Note: Most of the Women’s Only Ski Camps do not include rentals or lift ticket. Inquire when registering. The author’s women-only ski camp experience was hosted by Vail and Tourism Whistler. Her opinions are her own.
