Camaraderie, skill development, confidence building, networking and empowerment. These are just some of the reasons Rachel Taylor is psyched to be teaching this year’s Force of Femme ski and ride weekend.
Running from Feb. 24 to 25, this is the second in the series organized by Sun Peaks Sports School. For ages 16 and older, it includes two full days of coaching from female ski and snowboard instructors as well as lunches, après, yoga and a prize-giving finale. Last year’s inaugural camp attracted 21 participants who were split into five like-level instruction groups.
“I feel super excited to be chosen to teach a women’s camp,” Taylor told SPIN. “I really love being a part of creating a safe and empowering environment for women in this sport.”
The 32-year-old, level four ski instructor from Ontario has been living in Sun Peaks year-round for the past six years. Her early days of ski teaching were combined with studying for her degree in human rights with a minor in gender studies.
“In a male dominated industry, women are so often the minority in their learning environment, and that’s not always the most conducive to pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone,” she explained. “Women’s sessions often serve as a safer, more supportive environment to really be able to push yourself and reach new goals.”
With fellowship and group support topping her list for women’s progression, she is ready to hype everyone up and cheer the team on. Compounding this encouragement with helpful technique tips, her hope is that everyone will have fun while gaining new ski friends.
“I’m most looking forward to meeting new people and forming new relationships. Last year the lunches at Mantles and après ski at Morrisey’s were such a great time.”
Snowboard instructor Maria Morgan was picked for the coaching team last winter. She started snowboarding 20 years ago and has been instructing at Sun Peaks Resort LLP (SPR) for the past eight winters. Despite being well established here, she was delighted to make a couple of new friends from the women’s weekend.
“The minute I was told about it, I knew that I needed to be part of it,” she said. “I love the idea of empowering women and my entire life I have loved being able to snowboard with women. I have always gravitated towards women’s camps, be it Force de Femme or Elleboard. Women and girls cheering on girls is the best!”
She weaves the psychological aspects of progression into her technical coaching, and she stressed that the camp is also an opportunity to discover and conquer hidden stashes in the vast terrain at SPR.
On day one, participants are segmented in line with their previous experience. Mornings are dedicated to ski or ride improvement followed by applying tactics and skills in variable terrain in the afternoon.
“The aim of the weekend is guided tuition, so exploring terrain, getting in mileage, whilst learning and having fun as we go,” said Liz Wilkinson, manager of events & partnerships at SPR.
Sunday starts early with a morning wake up and stretch class with Sun Peaks Yoga. As well as setting everyone on the right track for the second full day on the slopes, this will give participants a pre-snow stretch and warm-up routine to take away and integrate into their daily lifestyle.
Achievements of each day are celebrated over après at Morriseys, with prize-giving on the last night. Local businesses are helping establish the program by donating swag such as vouchers from Sun Peaks Spa, deluxe tune-ups from Elevation, ski socks from Freefall and treats from Rocky Mountain Chocolate.
Other women-only programs in Sun Peaks include the sports school’s regular two-hour Ladies Clinics and a 10-week Local Ladies program.
If demand is higher for Force of Femme this winter, Wilkinson said they will be able to expand numbers both for skiing and riding.
She brought the idea here from her experiences as a women’s ski coach in Whistler
“I identified the need to create the same type of programme here in Sun Peaks where women can learn and develop their skiing in a fun and friendly environment where the coaches are also all female,” she said.
For the participants, she said this camp offers much-needed ‘me time’.
“It is about recognizing for many female skiers and riders, as their roles in life have evolved into being busy at work or as partners and moms, they haven’t had the time to spend on the slopes or their former snow friends have dropped away and they have no one to go with,” Wilkinson explained. “Many also wind up getting dragged round the mountain by their partner, terrified of where they are skiing or the speed they are going to keep up.”
Registration for the weekend is $375. To register, call the Sun Peaks Sports School sales desk at 250.578.5474 or email at sportschool@sunpeaksresort.com.
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