I’ve taken a VNTRbirds clinic every season since I started mountain biking, but the VIDA MTB Series at Snowmass Bike Park was my first clinic dedicated specifically to downhill techniques. I was excited to try something new, but I have to admit, I was also a bit nervous. This would be my first time wearing a full-face helmet, which made the idea of “downhill” seem even more intense, despite my previous experiences on various trails!
The weekend turned out to be everything I hoped for and more, and I can confidently say it will be among my top three summer experiences this year. The weather was perfect, the vibes were high, and we had a great time riding bikes.
Over forty women of all mountain biking abilities and ages descended on Snowmass during the last weekend of June. We kicked off the day with introductions and received goodie bags full of swag that were just as VNTRbirds describes, “legendary”. Then we broke into groups based on our skill level and met our coaches. The groups were small and intimate for lots of 1 on 1 coaching opportunities. We spent the morning practicing several skills in the base area before taking the gondola up to hit the trails.
Morning checkins are full of smiles, goody bags + rider name plates
p: Hanna Schmidtman – @non_palindromic_hanna
Each group had specific goals for the weekend. My group focused on body positioning, progressing cornering techniques, and making smart technical line choices. Other groups worked on the basics, while more advanced groups tackled drops, jumps, and speed.
This isn’t a copy + paste lesson, VNTRbirds curates their clinics to focus on the goals of the rider.
p: Hanna Schmidtman @non_palindromic_hanna
Delicious and healthy lunches were provided with the clinic, and VNTRbirds hosted tech talks on both days. We learned essential bike maintenance skills from Shimano, like how to fix a flat tire on the trail. We also learned how to wash our bikes properly using eco-friendly products from Mountain Flow, which are plant-based and biodegradable. I love these tech talks because they emphasize that knowing how to ride is just as important as knowing how to take care of your bike!
Delicious and healthy lunches were provided with the clinic as well as hands on workshops on how to care for your bike!
p: Hanna Schmidtman @non_palindromic_hanna
At the end of every VNTRbirds clinic, we gather to share our “highs, lows, and kudos,” in our group, reflecting on our experiences and celebrating each other’s achievements. For me, the biggest “high” was finally mastering body positioning through corners and feeling a new level of confidence in my downhill riding! It was incredibly rewarding to see my hard work pay off and experience that breakthrough moment.
As for my “kudos,” I gave a shout-out to one of the women who joined our group on day two. It was inspiring to see how seamlessly she became part of the team, perfectly fit our group’s vibe and contributed to our overall success.
Progress your riding then debrief with your coaches and new friends at the end of the weekend.
p: Hanna Schmidtman @non_palindromic_hanna
On the event website, VNTRbirds says, “We promise you’ll walk away feeling more excited about mountain biking and the community that surrounds it than ever before, along with some new skills to bring to your home trails.” I can wholeheartedly confirm that this promise is 100% true. I had no idea how much my mountain biking skills could progress in just two days! It’s no surprise, though, because every VNTRbirds clinic offers a positive learning environment with knowledgeable and encouraging coaches and fellow riders who genuinely want to see you succeed. The collective cheers we shared as we confidently navigated corners and celebrated our breakthroughs are unforgettable. I cannot express how incredibly grateful I feel to have found this sport and this community.
Snowmass is a welcoming environment for riders of all abilities – don’t miss signing up for September!
p: Hanna Schmidtman @non_palindromic_hanna
Carrie Scheick (she/her) is the VNTRbirds Ambassador & Partnerships Coordinator. She quickly realized if she wanted to hang out with her friends in the summer months, she needed to learn to mountain bike. That’s when she discovered all the VNTRbirds offerings. Carrie has been a big supporter and now a part of the team ever since!