Editors note: This blog post was updated June 2, 2020 to include the most up-to-date general information about each of these ski racing camps. Please refer to each camps own website for Coronavirus-related programming updates, as this information could change rapidly.
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School has ended, your schedule is lighter, the sun is shining…it’s time for summer fun! For skiers and ski racers, one great way to enjoy the summer months is summer ski camp. It’s the perfect way to enjoy time outside, increase your fitness, hone your skiing performance and have fun and make new friends! Summer ski camps take place on glaciers in the northern hemisphere or in the southern hemisphere where it is actually winter. Locations include; Mt Hood, Oregon USA, Saas Fee, Switzerland, Hintertux, Austria, Portillo and Nevados de Chillan, Chile, Whistler, British Columbia and various locations in Australia and New Zealand.
While typically summer ski camps are sleepover camps that include lodging, meals, training and other activities, thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, the summer of 2020 is a little different. For this season, in order to comply with CDC and WHO guidelines, most have changed to a day camp only format. SkiRacing.com summarized the changes for the camps that take place at Mt Hood in their article Summer Ski Camps Pivot to Accommodate COVID Restrictions.
We have updated this blog post to provide current general information about six great summer ski camps. As of June 2, 2020, all are operating and have availability for more campers to join some of the sessions. Please contact each camp individually for summer 2020 operations updates and availability.
The best summer ski camps
This list of summer ski camps is not in any particular order. It is not meant to indicate that any one summer camp is better than any other for ski racers. Without a doubt, extra training in the off-season will help any ski racer take their skiing and racing to the next level. The best summer ski camp is the one that, after thorough research, you determine fits your needs and budget. To keep up on general summer ski camp news and information, keep an eye on the Camps section on SkiRacing.com.
1. Tichy Racing Camp
As the name suggests, Tichy Racing Camp is all about racing. This ski racing camp is considered one of the premier summer ski camps in North America. It takes place at Timberline Ski Area at Mt Hood in Oregon. They have 10 camps at Mt Hood throughout the summer from late May – late August. In late summer and early fall/winter, they also offer high intensity clinics at locations like the Hintertux Glacier in Austria, Copper Mountain in Colorado and Sun Peaks in Canada.
2. Ligety Weibrecht Camp
Since the summer of 2006, the Ligety Weibrecht Ski Camp has inspired ski racers to reach their potential by learning from the best. Of course, coaches include Ted Ligety and Andrew Weibrecht. But the coaches list also includes a host of other World Class ski racers. Athletes like Megan McJames, David Chodounsky, Nolan Kasper, and Steve Nyman join an impressive list of coaches with experience from the club to the Olympic level.
The Ligety Weibrecht summer ski camps take place at Timberline Resort at Mt Hood in Oregon. Ligety Weibrecht Summer Ski Camp offers 4 sessions from mid-June through mid-July. The ski camps are all-inclusive with all ground transportation from Portland Airport, meals, lodging, lift passes, coaching, coaching, video analysis, activities and a camp shirt. They also offer sessions without lodging and meals if you do not need accommodations.
3. National Alpine Ski Camp (NASC)
Considered the “affordable ski based summer camp”, the National Alpine Ski Camp (NASC) is the ultimate camp experience for ski families who are interested in “more than just a ski racing camp”. They offer a unique itinerary that combines on-snow training with cool summer activities. Every morning is spent on-snow skiing and then afternoons include summer activities like hiking, biking, rock climbing, stand-up paddle boarding and rafting. NASC provides safety, fun and learning during all activities.
To become a better skier, it is important to strive for excellence through improved fundamental skills and that is where the skilled ski coaches at NASC come in. Campers get an unforgettable opportunity to learn new skills and improve technique and race tactics. This summer ski camp also offers extensive video analysis and tech talks to prepare ski racers for the podium.
National Alpine Ski Camp offers 10-day summer camp sessions for adults and youth from mid-June to mid-July at Mt Hood, in Oregon. They also offer a fall ski camp at Copper Mountain and a week-long ski camp on the Hintertux Glacier in Austria.
4. Zenit Ski Camp
Ski Zenit is a Swiss ski camp organization devoted to ski race training for athletes of all ages, levels and nationalities. They have been creating memorable ski racing camp experiences and developing athletes skills since 2008. Ski training runs from July to April, in Saas-Fee and Zinal, Switzerland with an international team of coaches.
Ski Zenit training sessions focus on improving ski skills in a variety of ways through ski training, video analysis, mental coaching, yoga and other physical activities. Sessions are carefully balanced to be challenging and intense, but also fun. One of the keys to their training method is to instill confidence in their athletes by following a series of well defined steps.
A Ski Zenit camp is a week of high-performance ski race training with top tier coaches and a customized program focused on taking your racing skills to the next level. Camps run from Sunday to Saturday and include 5 days of ski training (weather permitting) and 1 day of alternative activities. This all takes place in a safe and fun environment with athletes attending from more than 30 different countries each year. Athletes can stay at the Ski Zenit hotel with 24/7 supervision or can procure their own lodging with their families.
5. Planet Ski International
Specializing in mogul camps Planet Ski International began offering camps over 20 years ago when several existing full time programs combined with the goal of creating the absolute best in summer training for athletes who are serious about their athletic progress. This summer moguls camp is 100% focused on making athletes into the best competitors they can be.
Offering camps in Whistler British Columbia, they offer a 16 day mogul camp with 12 days on snow. They use a 4 day on – 1 day off rotation to make sure the athletes are rested and ready to go for the whole camp. A full mogul course with special features provides excellent training for both young and experienced athletes. Training groups are broken down by ability so that every athlete gets the attention they need to progress. Their professional crew of coaches direct the on snow training as well as the off- snow activities.
6. Keely’s Camp for Girls
Keely Kelleher’s all girls ski camp, Keely’s Camp for Girls, was founded in 2011 as the first ski racing camp for girls in North America. With an overwhelming positive response from their ski racing camps, they’ve now branched out into more outdoor camps for girls all over the world including backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering, and whitewater kayaking. Keely’s Camps provide the unique opportunity to be coached by not only the best females in the sports of skiing and kayaking, but also the best role models and mentors. The staff consists of past Olympians, World Cup Racers, U.S. Ski Teamers, NCAA racers, big mountain skiing professionals, and world class instructors and guides – that area all female. At Keely’s Camps their mission is to empower, inspire, educate, and connect the next generation of girls in skiing and outdoor sports.
Keely’s ski racing camp is for girls 8 – 18 years old and takes place at Mt Hood in Oregon. Each one week session includes six consecutive days of skiing and includes a slalom training block and a GS training block. Campers are put in age appropriate ski groups and taken through progressions of drills and gates throughout their time at Keely’s Camp.
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Editors note: This blog post was updated June 2, 2020 to include the most up-to-date general information about each of these ski racing camps. Please refer to each camps own website for Coronavirus-related programming updates, as this information could change rapidly.
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