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Downhill Ski Clinics Give Women Confidence to Tackle Slopes

February 03, 2009 - SHAWNEE PEAK -- Want to know what gets ski instructor Jen Rudin's goat?

"Skiing has been ruined for so many people, particularly women, and that just makes me mad," says Rudin. "I have heard too many stories of the boyfriend who brings his girl to the top of Bubblecuffer. She's terrified, and he wonders why she doesn't want to ski after that. Duh!"

Rudin and Kristen Bodwell teach the Ladies Clinics at Shawnee Peak on Fridays and weekends. Both started teaching skiing at Shawnee at age 14, so they have years of experience, and stories to match.

"We are making these clinics into a no fear for females Friday," Bodwell said.

It seems a lot of women are scared away from skiing, making the slopes lopsided at a ratio of 60 to 40 men versus women participating. Fear of injury, fear of heights, fear of not keeping up with their family or their friends are all reasons ladies launch into when asked why they don't ski. Women's clinics like the series at Shawnee Peak are designed to deal with these issues and make skiing more fun and less intimidating.

Shawnee's Friday clinic is ideal for moms in particular. It starts at 10:30 a.m. You can get the kids to school and drive the hour to Shawnee Peak, or bring your child to the ski area's day care for the few hours you are out on the mountain. The clinic is $25 for an hour and a half (lift ticket not included), and can be much more rewarding than a manicure/pedicure or a trip to the mall.

Jennifer McNally of Westbrook was at Friday's clinic, only her third day of skiing, and she was carving turns, riding the chairlift and skiing with confidence thanks to the tips and techniques from her female instructors Jen and Kristen.

"I like the Ladies Clinic because it's a nice group of girls, it's comfortable, everyone is supportive, and it's not competitive like guys can be," McNally said.

Our group of six gals ranged in age and ability from a young mom to a gal who'd injured herself skiing and wanted to regain her courage to ski with her husband. What we all shared was a desire to improve at the sport and to talk openly about our skiing goals, fears and frustrations.

Just days prior to the Ladies Clinic, I was skiing with the same number of guys. I felt the pressure, the testosterone even. Keep up, keep quiet were a few of my thoughts as the sole female "representing."

I can tell you that guys chatter about sports and politics on the chairlift, but there isn't much encouragement or engaging in skiing emotions. In stark contrast, moments into this ladies' lesson, compliments were shared about each other's outfits, questions were asked about how you "feel" about your skiing. There was an immediate sisterhood of the traveling ski pants – a skiing support group.

Don't misinterpret me, I love skiing with boys. It's typically adrenaline-charged, and usually full of adventure on top-to-bottom nonstop runs. No one stops along the trail to be compassionate or to assuage their buddy's fall line fears.

This is a shout out to my female friends who talk about skiing but haven't made it to the mountains; one still has brand new ski boots in a box from several years ago. Sneak to the Peak and get into a gals' clinic. If you are scared, you probably won't be alone.

This is a forum where you can address your alpine phobias with two phenomenal female instructors amid the support of other chicks on sticks. You will make new gal pals and make turns at a comfortable confident pace. For a final touch of pampering, a masseuse awaits in the lodge offering a relaxing rubdown after your clinic.

Guys who think girly clinics sound silly: Back off and give the ladies their ski space. It's win/win when the gals gain confidence and are excited to go skiing with their men more often.

You can sign up for the Ladies Clinics at Shawnee Peak by calling 647-8444. Sunday River, Sugarloaf and Saddleback all offer women's ski programs as well.

I hope to see you out on the slopes.

EVENTS

Saturday is John Christie Day at Saddleback, and $5 of every $40 lift ticket will go to the Ski Museum of Maine. Christie, Maine ski historian, author and former owner of Saddleback, will be skiing and participating in aprs. At 2 p.m., a special slideshow "Down-Mountain and Cross-Country: 140 Years of Skiing in Maine" will be presented by Scott Andrews.

Heather Burke is a national accredited NASJA/ESWA ski and snowboard journalist from Kennebunk.

HEATHER BURKE, Portland Press Herald, January 29, 2009


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Regions: Sebago


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