Asher in Aspen: Carving confidence

Riding the gondola up Aspen Mountain is an experience that never gets old for me. The sprawling mountain views, the crisp mountain air filtering through the vents, and the soft chatter of other riders always make my heart skip a beat. This time, however, my usual excitement was laced with a touch of nervousness. Even though I’ve called Aspen home for the past eight years, I have never taken a proper ski lesson. My usual approach involves tagging along with friends who are better than me and casually asking for tips along the way — an admittedly haphazard method for improvement.

I’ve heard glowing reviews of the Aspen Skiing Company’s Local Ski Clinics for years but never mustered the courage to sign up. This season, I decided it was time to change that. I registered for a Women’s Ski Clinic to start the season off strong. Signing up by myself added an extra layer of trepidation, but I knew stepping away from my usual routine was exactly what I had been craving.

The moment I stepped off the gondola and into the sunshine at the top of the mountain, my nerves began to settle. Over 65 women gathered outside the Sundeck, the hum of excitement filling the air. We were divided into small groups based on skill level, each with an instructor. I landed in a group of six led by Gail, a seasoned pro whose infectious personality made me feel instantly at ease. By sheer coincidence, I already knew two women in my group, which added a delightful twist to the day.

The clinic ran from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the morning focused on honing specific techniques. Gail’s teaching style was as engaging as it was effective. At one point, she straddled her ski pole and pizza’d her way down the slope near Chair 3, leaving a perfectly straight line in the snow. Our task was to use that line as our guide, crossing it back and forth with precision to create symmetrical parenthesis-shaped turns. It was challenging but exciting, and the visual cue of her line made it easier to grasp the concept.

Gail’s attention to detail was impressive. She watched each of us closely, tailoring her feedback to our unique needs. Before every run, she’d ask us to focus on a single phrase, whether it was “Forward,” “Pressure,” “Line,” “Edge Control,” or “Body Position.” This simple but effective technique forced me to zero in on one aspect of my skiing at a time, making each run feel purposeful and productive.

We broke for lunch around 1 p.m., retreating to the cozy warmth of the Sundeck. As I devoured one of their famous tuna melts, washed down with an icy blue Powerade, I couldn’t help but smile. The camaraderie around the table was palpable, as women swapped stories and bonded over their shared love of skiing. The morning had been intense, but the energy in the group was contagious, leaving me eager to get back out there.

The afternoon shifted gears, focusing less on drills and more on applying what we’d learned. Gail led us down steeper slopes and into bumpier terrain, pushing us out of our comfort zones. It was during this time that I realized a major flaw in my mogul technique — lifting my inside ski, a habit I’d unknowingly cultivated over the years. Gail’s guidance helped me correct this by emphasizing the middle of my turns rather than the end. By the final run of the day, I felt more confident in the bumps than ever before.

I left the mountain that day not only with improved skills but also with a newfound sense of empowerment and community. The Local’s Clinics offer something truly special — a chance to refine your technique, connect with like-minded individuals, and fall even more in love with the sport. As I cruised in from my last run of the day, the setting sun casting a golden glow over the valley, I couldn’t help but feel grateful. That was my first Local’s Clinic, but it certainly won’t be my last.