By Jenn Sheridan
Photos courtesy Northstar California
As someone who grew up on the ski hill, its easy to let my ego think I know everything there is to know about ski technique, but the truth is a few lazy habits have surely lead to bad form over the years. When Vail Resorts announced it would be hosting women-specific clinics at resorts including Northstar, Heavenly and Kirkwood, I decided it was time to go back to ski school and find out what I had forgotten over the years.
Northstar’s Ultimate 4 lessons are open to adults of all levels. Skiers and riders receive a full day of instruction in groups of four students per instructor, which leaves plenty of time for one-on-one feedback. Participants may customize the lesson to focus on receiving feedback and instruction, using the instructor as a guide to the hidden stashes of the mountain or a combination of both.
On Mondays, Northstar offers 4Her Ultimate 4 lessons. These women-specific clinics pair skiers and riders with female instructors to offer a tailored experience and since the clinics are only offered on Mondays, the mountain is generally less crowded than on weekends giving participants the space they need to learn and explore.
I met with my instructor, Segrid Anderson, at the Adventure, Guiding and Learning Center in the Village at Northstar and we ascended the gondola. Anderson has been teaching skiing for nearly 25 years and has spent 10 years teaching at Northstar and her knowledge of both the mountain and the sport was impressive. Our day was going to be focused on both improving technique, as well as exploring the resort.
We started by exploring the East Ridge area of Northstar. Starting from the top of the Comstock express, the East Ridge run is an intermediate slope that wraps around the mountain. Skiers and riders have the option to explore several shorter, advanced runs that branch off from the main trail. As we carve down the firm, but well-groomed snow, Segrid gives me a few pointers on making my turns more dynamic by extending my body longer through the arc of the turn.
Next, we head to the Vista Express, which accesses several of Northstar’s terrain parks, as well as several intermediate runs. We choose to take a cruiser down Logger’s Loop before heading over to Magic Moguls, a small boarder-cross style run with banked turns and rollers. We head back up the lift for one more before cruising over to check out the learning area for first-time skier and riders.
Easily accessible from the Big Springs Lodge and the Ritz-Carlton, The Big Easy brings skiers and riders to the top of a gentle slope with sculpted terrain features that help first timers practice good technique without repetitive drills and exercises. After watching the groups successfully make their first turns, we head up the Tahoe Zephyr express to explore the backside of Northstar. This area features long, steep runs and mogul fields that make the legs burn.
After covering so much terrain, it was time to grab lunch. Over a cheeseburger in the Zephyr Lodge we discuss the advantage of women’s clinics. In a survey conducted among female consumers at various Vail resorts, it was discovered that many women felt out of place in traditional adult group lessons. As an instructor, Anderson agrees that being comfortable in a learning environment is important when practicing new skills. She also cites differences in stature and build between men and women that can sometimes make it difficult to communicate certain techniques and movements. In my personal experience, I find that female instructors can often articulate the way a motion is supposed to feel in a way that I can relate.
After lunch, we hit the terrain park to practice sliding some boxes and go head-to-head in the EpicMix race course. Anderson lets me win. She also says my turns have become more dynamic throughout the day.
At 2 p.m., we stop to rest our legs and join the Tost. Each afternoon, skiers and riders meet along the East Ridge for a complimentary glass of champagne and cheers to the mountain lifestyle. We spend the rest of the afternoon chasing the sun as it dips below the ridgeline of the mountain and head back to the base.
After a long day of skiing with Segrid, I feel more confident in my turns and I have more knowledge of the mountain.
For more information on the Ultimate 4 and other offerings, visit northstarcalifornia.com.
Ultimate 4 lessons
Offered for all levels and age groups
Women-specific clinics offered Mondays for 13+
4:1 student, teacher ratio
