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As temperatures get warmer around the country, young skiers and boarders dread closing day at their local ski resort. Months of dry-land training, weight lifting and seeing the skis or board collect dust can bring the summer blues for powder hounds of any age.
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Thankfully around the U.S. and Canada, summer-on-snow ski camps offer young shredders a chance to continue their progress, whether landing that new trick or clocking down a slalom course faster. Some camps have even helped develop the best in the sport with personalized coaching, technical training and confidence building.
These six top-notch summer camps in the U.S. and Canada help the next generation of skiers and boarders take it to the next level.
1. Freestyle America
Image by Freestyle America
Possibly the longest-running freestyle camp in North America, Freestyle America camps began in 1983. It’s progression based, “with a well thought out curriculum that is safety conscious,” said Wes Preston, director of Freestyle America Camps.
Locations: Whistler, BC; Lake Placid, NY; Campton, NH
Camp mission: “To introduce and train skiers and boarders in the acrobatic portion of the sport in a safe and fun environment.”
Age and ability: Youth Tramp and Ramp beginners ages 7 to 10; Lake Placid Tramp and Ramp ages 11 to 17 advanced; Whistler BC On Snow Camp ages 12 and up advanced skiers; ages 10 and up for day campers
What to expect: Cool equipment including indoor and outdoor trampolines, rails, airbags and a ramp with two jumps into a 50×50 airbag all help younger athletes build basic skills to grow into harder advanced skills. Ramp training into a pool at the Lake Placid location and airbags at the Whistler camp allows athletes to work on skills safely from execution to landing. Personalized coaching and technique critique, including video sessions, help athletes bring aerial maneuvers to the next level. Afternoon extracurricular activities off the snow help athletes make connections. Intro to progressive camps are offered through Freestyle America in multiple locations over various weeks during the summer.
The Whistler, BC On Snow Camp focuses on proper jump technique and technical skiing elements for ten days. Mogul and slopestyle training is split between the park and bumps.
The Lake Placid Water Ramp Camp, held at the Olympic Jumping Complex, is a five-day camp for experienced skiers comfortable with skis on acrobatics to target specific jumps.
The Campton, NH Tramp Camp offers a four-day program to help young athletes get used to leaving their feet while working on safe take-offs and landings, while the six-day Ramp and Tramp Camp progresses campers to doing tricks with skis on their feet.
Founded in 2011 in Mt. Hood, Oregon as the first ski racing camp for girls in North America, the camp has branched out to include all-female camps for ski mountaineering and backcountry skiing and ski racing during fall, winter and spring in additional locations.
Age and ability: For girls ages 8 to 18 based on camp, Ski Racing requires at least one year of ski racing experience due to terrain.
What to expect: Keely’s Camp features an all-female staff of World Cup Skiers, Olympians, and guides with a 6:1 athlete-to-coach ratio. It offers racing and mountaineering options for confident skiers.
The Intro to Ski Mountaineering is a five-day overnight camp for girls ages 14 to 18 led by professional guides focused on the education of the fundamentals of ski mountaineering and other outdoor skills.
The Ski Racing Camp is for skiers ages 8 to 18 who have one year of racing experience to work on drills, gates and training.
Overnight 7- or 10-day sessions as well as day camp options are available. Daily video analysis and dry-land activities maximize individual skier goals. Zoom and in-person female mentor talks help build confidence in camp attendees. A range of off-snow activities builds friendships and community amongst the campers.
On Blackcomb Glacier, Momentum Ski Camps have been advancing freestyle skiers since 1992. They will celebrate 30 years this season (ignoring the two years lost to COVID shutdown).
Location: Whistler, BC
Camp mission: “The mission is to ensure all our campers have a fun and positive learning experience and really progress their skiing and riding skills by learning and being inspired by many of the top skiers and riders in the world,” says John Smart- Momentum Camp director. “Our motto: Best Summer Ever!”
Age and ability: From age 9, depending on camp. High-intermediate to advanced skier or rider, due to terrain and curriculum.
What to expect: Skiing and riding high above the clouds atop a glacier, campers use a purpose built private terrain park with bumps, jumps and rails with two giant airbags to progress skills from beginner to advanced. Water ramps, an absorption tank and other high-level facility features bump up the training levels.
One-on-one after dinner video reviews with coaches “further cement learning,” said Smart. Current and former Olympians, X-Game and World Cup Athletes help mentor campers throughout the sessions. Small customized groups and optional sport psychologist sessions help participants maximize their time. The camp is based at a 4-star hotel in the base of the village. Three afternoon activity choices keep camp fun going even off the snow.
Momentum offers five sessions of week-long camps. Session 1 is adults only, while session 2 is a youth/all ages and family week. Session 3, 4 and 5 are youth sessions ages 9 to 18, with Girls’ Week during session 4.
The Momentum Park and Slopestyle Camp offers seven days of snow time at North America’s most extensive, highest and most diverse summer snow park dialing in jumps and rails for all levels.
The Momentum Mogul Camp helps young skiers progress their mogul skiing during a week-long session, including learning to control speed and bump absorption and jumping at the “learn to flip and jump” site atop Horstman Glacier.
The Big Mountain Camp teaches backcountry ski skills from avalanche awareness to jumping off cliffs, plus other skills needed to freeride safely. It’s for campers ages 12 and up.
The Exposure session is a nine-day action sports film and photo camp with access to top athletes, photographers and filmmakers for top-notch instruction.
Mt. Hood’s longest-running ski camp for over 40 years, Mt. Hood Summer Ski Camp began as a summer camp for downhill ski training only. It had progressed over the years to include GS and Slalom, Moguls and Aerials and a Snowboard Freeride Camp.
Camp motto: “Everybody gets better here!”
Location: Mt. Hood, OR
Age and ability: 9 to 19, adult camp, family camp and day camps for younger athletes; all levels
What to expect: A range of week-long camps cover a multitude of ski disciplines as well as snowboarding. Programs are built from scratch for the best results for campers of all levels and include daily video training and analysis. Some summer sessions include access to Timberline’s Freestyle Training Center with a superpipe, boarder and skier cross course, ramps and rails. Non-ski-training-related afternoon activities give athletes a chance to connect, rejuvenate and engage in other outdoor activities from a challenge course and paintball to cliff jumping and rafting.
The Learn to Ski and Snowboard Camps are designed for campers that want an intro to the basics, racing and carving or an introduction to moguls and small jumps.
The Mogul and Aerials Ski Camp is for athletes looking to learn proper jump execution and fundamentals for zipping down the moguls fast and safe.
The Ski Race Camp caters to first-time and experienced racers looking for the fastest and safest line down the course while working on fundamentals.
In the Snowboard Freeride and Freeski Camps, campers spend on snow time at Timberline’s Freestyle Training Center working on tricks on boxes, jumps and rails.
For Adults, Mt. Hood offers Race, Moguls and Freeski Camps.These camps provide on-hill coaching and video analysis for those looking to improve their GS and SL World Cup technique, feel more confident and efficient on a mogul run or want to progress in the park. Adult snowboarders can also perfect skills in camp in the park and beyond.
The Family Camp has three options: day camp, coaching-only camp and young kids camp for 7- to 8-year-olds. All offer skill building for the whole family.
For over 30 years, Windell’s Ski Camp in Mt. Hood has hosted campers atop Palmer Snowfield as the only ski area in the world with near year-round lift serviced groomers, pipes, and terrain parks.
Camp motto: “To grow the sport of skiing with an honest motto: life improvement through people, place and passion.”
Location: Mt. Hood, OR
Age and ability: For skiers and boarders age 9 through adults from beginner to advanced.
What to expect: Windell’s features one of North America’s only summer Olympic half pipes and lift-accessed freestyle training parks. A 50,500 square-foot outdoor skate park and indoor skate park with Olympic-size trampolines, an airbag and a super tramp make it easy for campers to perfect skills and build confidence before trying maneuvers on the snow. A Demo Center is open for skiers and boarders to test out the latest gear from top brands. The Courtyard brings athletes together for games, chill time and interaction with professional athletes.
A range of five-day day camps and seven-day overnight camps are open to skiers and boarders. The On-Snow Day Camp is open to skiers aged 9 to 20 and includes ramp and trampoline training on top of snow time and terrain park access.
Overnight camp options include the Soft Start Program, which introduces newbie youth and adults to freeskiing or snowboarding over seven days. Other programs include Hot Laps, for skiers and boarders who want to take laps on two high-speed chairlifts down the mountain with access to medium-size features, and Freestyle Focus Camp, which allows rope-tow access to airbags, jumps and jibs.
If your 13+ athlete is looking for more intense training, the Performance Camp is the best option for longer training days on the hill, dryland training and skill-focused programming.
Day camps are also available for adults 18 or 21 and up with the same perks as young campers: professional coaching and use of Windell’s private facilities. The Family Ski Camp allows you to design your camp experience over seven days of ski training alongside your little groms or spending nights together for apre and more.
Finally, the Super Session Camp is for adrenaline-loving youth or adults. It combines the best summer in Oregon has to offer, including a whole week of surfing, mountain biking, rafting, skateboarding and skiing/snowboarding for an action-packed week.
Since 2009, “Woodward Copper Camps have empowered athletes of all ability levels to safely progress on a clear path at their own pace, using a unique blend of innovative environments, dynamic programming and passionate people,” said Bo Duffy- Operations Manager for Woodward Copper. The American Camp Association accredits Woodward Copper.
Camp mission: “Empower and inspire the next generation in action sports.”
Location: Copper Mountain, CO
Age and ability: Boarders and skiers of all levels ages 7 to 17 as well as adults 18-plus
What to expect: The soft-on-snow terrain park features ramps, rails, box jumps, air bags and more for maximum training. The nearly 20,000 square-foot Woodward Barn features a spring floor, foam pit, ramps and trampolines to work on acrobatic and aerial tricks safely before trying to execute them on the snow. During most weeks, professional athletes are on hand to motivate, coach and empower campers. Base activities include the alpine coaster and a climbing wall. Nightly food trucks and campers versus coaches games are a few ways to build friendships and camaraderie at camp.
Campers can choose their five-day camp experience level with 10 sessions offered throughout the summer from June through August. Mornings are spent on the snow progressing tricks, jumps and freeride skills in the terrain park. Afternoons are spent in the Woodward Barn to advance skills in a safe, controlled environment. Day camp options are available for campers that do not wish to stay on campus.
The All-Mountain Adventure Camp offers a more traditional camp experience for skiers and riders, including 21 hours of snow time, seven hours of tramp and ramp training in the barn and 12 hours of off-snow activities.
The Peak Performance Camp is designed for more serious athletes looking to maximize on the snow training time. It includes 28 hours of snow time, seven hours of ramp and tramp training in the barn and six hours of off-snow activity.
