I’ve at all times liked snowboarding, however I by no means felt assured sufficient to deal with the more difficult slopes, and I had been having a tough time discovering a technique to progress to a better degree in an setting the place I might really feel assured, supported and simply have some enjoyable. That’s what snowboarding is meant to be about, in any case!
Having heard about Helly Hansen Girls’s Camps, I made a decision that this may very well be my reply, so I signed up for a camp on the very begin of this season. The camps happen at Whistler Blackcomb in BC, Canada, one of many world’s nice ski resorts and an enormous a part of the attraction. One other was that they’re girls solely, so no testosterone interfering with the expertise!
The camps are pitched at three totally different ranges: full novice, newbie to what they name ‘comfy novice’ after which my degree ‘intermediate to professional’ … or that ought to learn “wannabe professional” in my case!
It was an expertise that modified my snowboarding and my outlook on life.
The Helly Hansen Girls’s Camps are designed to enhance skiers’ confidence and talent and that actually labored for me. The thought isn’t just to show abilities however to create a secure, motivating setting for girls to develop these abilities with out feeling any aggressive strain. It’s about mutual help and empowering each other – which can sound a bit clichéd and never the British manner of doing issues, however it actually works.
I used to be positioned in a gaggle with different girls who had a talent degree just like me. We met our coach, Anna, who was from the UK and had plenty of expertise and enthusiasm. She assessed our strengths and weaknesses and gave us personalised suggestions and ideas all through the camp.
We spent two full days snowboarding on each the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, exploring the superior terrain and having fun with the gorgeous views. We practised strategies, together with snowboarding over bumps and on steeper terrain. Anna inspired us to push ourselves out of our consolation zones but additionally to have enjoyable and have fun our achievements.
The camps are small teams of not more than six, and I lucked out as I had solely two in my group, so ended up with just about personal tuition. This made the training expertise extra intimate and efficient. Anna was very responsive and tailored the 2 days to work for the wants of the group. We labored on bumps and steeps, which have been my important challenges.
Lunch was organised on each days, the place we bought to fulfill up with others in numerous teams and retell tales of the day. There was an après occasion on the primary night, the place we loved some drinks and snacks and mingled with the opposite campers and instructors. We have been made to really feel like a cohesive group of skiers of each degree who have been bettering on our personal particular person wants.
I used to be amazed by how a lot I improved in simply two days. I felt extra assured, extra in management and extra adventurous. I additionally made some nice pals alongside the best way, who shared my ardour for snowboarding and supported me all through the camp. We had a blast collectively, laughing, chatting and cheering one another on.
The Helly Hansen Girls’s Camps run all season lengthy (dates could be discovered right here) and are additionally a part of the ‘Open Mountain’ marketing campaign, which goals to encourage folks of all talents and backgrounds to get out onto the mountain to benefit from the outdoor. I feel this can be a fantastic initiative, as snowboarding is just not solely an excellent sport but additionally an effective way to attach with nature and your self.
I’d extremely suggest Helly Hansen Girls’s Camps to any lady who desires to enhance her snowboarding and have a memorable expertise. It was top-of-the-line issues I ever did, and I can’t wait to return subsequent yr.
Eating In Whistler
Helly Hansen Girls’s Camps are all about making studying to ski or trip higher numerous enjoyable and a part of the vacation. Being primarily based in Whistler is an enormous a part of that, as is consuming effectively. There’s an enormous alternative of locations to eat and drink right here, similar to the ski slopes catering for plenty of totally different tastes. Listed here are a few of my favorite spots:
Breakfast in Stonesedge, a comfy and rustic restaurant that serves scrumptious dishes comprised of native components.
Lunch on the Roundhouse, a mountaintop lodge that gives panoramic views and a wide range of cuisines. Conor, the supervisor, was very pleasant and attentive and made positive we had all the pieces we would have liked.
Dinner at Earls, an off-the-cuff and full of life spot that serves burgers, salads, pasta and extra. The meals was tasty and satisfying, and the service was quick and environment friendly.
A go to to the Irish pub, a should for a pint and the biggest bowl of nachos I’ve ever seen. The pub had an excellent environment, with stay music and sports activities on TV.
A tasty bakery choice at Purebread, the place I indulged in one in every of their raspberry and white chocolate scones. They have been smooth, moist and bursting with flavour.
A style of après at Longhorn or Merlins, the place I celebrated my snowboarding achievements with a drink and a dance.
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