Ladies Dolomite Ski Camp 2025
A few questions for the women who joined the ski camp....
What made you want to do a trip to Dolomites?
Crystal encouraged and invited me to come on the trip and while it sounded fun, I never really thought of myself as a ski trip sort of person. Living in the Tetons we have world class skiing and many many months of it. I mentioned the trip to my partner David and his enthusiasm toward me going was enough to convince me. All of that said, I love all things Italian, have hiked in the Dolomites and never tire of everything Italy has to offer.
How was the trip? Highlights? Lows?
The trip was absolutely incredible from start to finish. The skiing absolutely challenged me personally and with Crystal’s supportive and expert coaching I came away from the trip feeling more confident as a skier and more confident with everything I do in the mountains. The breathtaking beauty of the Dolomites and the people who live there and the mountain culture that exists in the towns and villages is absolutely enchanting. While skiing terrain I never pictured myself skiing is of course, a highlight, I think touring and spending our days in these beautiful mountains under the late winter Italian sunshine is the picture that comes to mind when I reflect on the trip.
How did the strength training help?
When Crystal sent us the training plan prior to the trip I thought, “this isn’t for me, I go to the gym three times a week.” Well, I was wrong about that and did my fair share of good natured whining that I had to do ski fit again. In all seriousness, I am a strong believer in strength training, It makes everything athletic pursuit more focused on fun instead of the pain cave.
What was your favorite part?
All of it! As I mentioned, I loved being surrounded by such beauty, Crystal and Albi’s experience in and expertise of the area. Rifugio Fuciade was pretty special. It was also so much fun to finish the ski day, and walk to an apres bar for a spritz and being amongst everyone else doing the same.
Would you go again? If so, what would you do differently?
In a minute! I think I would love to do a few more nights of touring rifugio to rifugio.
-Renee Giallonardo
What made you want to do a trip to Dolomites?
I have always wanted to ski in Europe, but had no idea where I would want to ski. I know a few people who have skied or hiked in the Dolomites and have had great things to say, but had personally never looked into traveling to that part of Italy. When a friend (Angie) mentioned the idea of doing a women's ski trip in Europe, I was intrigued regardless of where the location was going to be, but I'm so happy it turned out to be in the Dolomites!
How was the trip? Highlights? Lows?
This is certainly a question that I would have answered slightly differently had you asked immediately after vs having some time to reflect, so here I go: The trip was amazing! It was probably the hardest thing I have ever done both physically and mentally. What makes a trip like this so unique is the high highs and low lows that occur, often within the same day. I'm not someone who often feels proud of themself or their accomplishments, but I feel very proud of myself for the preparation I put into this trip and what I was able to accomplish on the trip.
Highlights:
Lows:
How did the strength training help?
I think the strength training was super integral as the days are long, especially as you get deeper into the week. I can't imagine how much of a struggle this trip had been for me had I not invested in Crystal's strength training program. I was not the fastest uphiller, but I believe that had more to do with the way I set up my endurance training. I actually felt really good about my strength. I was more tired on some days than others, depending on the snow, but day to day I felt my legs were able to recover which made the trip so much more enjoyable!
What was your favorite part?
Would you go again? If so, what would you do differently?
I would absolutely go again. There are a few things I would do differently in preparation.
The most important thing I would do differently is ask more questions when preparing for the trip.
I have a better understanding of the endurance training aspect and would train differently. "Slow and steady" means no stopping, so really working to train with a pace where there is continual movement for extended durations would be key. Additionally, I would ask for more training targets (e.g. when you say "two hours slow and steady" how many vertical feet should I be shooting for and when you say "1500 vertical feet" what time target should I be shooting for).
I would also ask more questions about the terrain (particularly on the uphill). This would have allowed me to do a better job simulating uphill training situations. (i.e. practicing skinning with lots of switchbacks)
I would be better prepared for blisters/hot spots as they can always occur, even if you think you have your boots dialed in. I have never had a blister turn into an open sore, so I think there was some neiviety on my part of how bad or painful it could turn. If I knew then what I know now, I think I could have done some better preventative things Monday-Thursday so I could have skied the whole day on Saturday.
Things I wish I would have thought about (and maybe others) or been asked to think about prior to the trip to help with mental preparation:
I think adding a mental training component to each weekly workout would be amazing. I know this might sound silly, but posing questions for participants to think about leading up to the trip could be helpful in trying to prepare for some of those "unknowns" that you know as a coach people often experience.
-Marie Ulven
What made you want to do a trip to Dolomites?
I wanted to challenge myself outside my comfort zone by learning to skin and hike in the backcountry as well as travel together with rad women in a beautiful area I had never been to.
How was the trip? Highlights? Lows?
Seeing the amazing and awe inspiring Italian Alps, hanging with strong women who are achieving so much, and dropping into the couloirs!
Lows -- Louise' injury, and of course my wallet being taken!
How did the strength training help?
Yes indeed it helped, but I think it needs to be more realistic -- I didn't come close to meeting the daily workouts and I didn't feel unprepared. 2000 vertical, 8-10 mile runs..... in the winter or on a treadmill?
Would you go again? If so what would you do differently?
I would enjoy going somewhere new -- love to travel -- and with more challenging ski opportunities.
-Molly Harris
