Words and Photos by Jamie Trayer
Day 1
Sunny Days and Dance Boxes
Gondi ride to start the laps
February 4th and 5th marked the first annual ladies Snow Venture Camp at Killington Mountain. This all mountain instructional weekend was designed to empower and inspire women in snowboarding and boy, did we empower! The weekend began early Saturday morning over introductions and coffee. We started out free-riding the mountain and exploring all of the awesome terrain that Killington has to offer. The snow was plentiful and the turns were perfect.
Girl Gang!
Myself and Jojo Valente led this hard charging group of ladies offering instruction both in the trees and in the park. After lunch with a view at the Killington Peak Lodge, the group split. Jojo and her group went to the trees, my group sent it to the park.
Anticipation was in the air as we reached the top of the park. After a brief park-etiquette lesson to the ease the minds, we took our first lap. Excitement arose, as we approached “Easy Street” park, Killington’s progression park with small features. Minds began racing, goals were set and off we went. 50-50’s, tail presses and board-slides were easily conquered on the dance box and the hype was unreal. The day’s end came quick but apres yoga and a premiere of Full Moon pushed their goals even higher for day two.
Day 2
Cloudy days and down Rails
Day two brought warmer temps, but overcast skies. This did not stop our ladies. The charge was so positive and driven as they wanted to lace up and head straight to the park. After our mellow box session the day before, the goals were even higher. Easy Street provided us with the perfect mini rainbow rail, a skinny flat box and a small urban-on down rail. The ladies battled all day to lock in some tricks and with some patience, persistence and whole lot of hype. The tricks were stomped. By the end of the day they were greasing the rainbow rail and ollieing onto down rails. As their coach, I could not be more ecstatic.
smiles never faded
Coaching this camp was an amazing opportunity. It gave me a new perspective on progression and a chance to share my passion with others. I coach not because I have to, but because I want to. Nothing is more fulfilling than watching someone overcome a fear, commit to a trick and finally land it. This camp started with a group of strangers and ended with a new group of friends. I can’t thank Killington Mountain and Parks for this opportunity to share my love and passion with others. I look forward to more good times.
Check out Killington Resort for more information of future women’s camps.