EpicSki Academy

What do Diamonds, Aspen, Weems Westfeldt and EpicSki Academy have in common? They go together brilliantly! Please join us for this year’s “main event” at one of North America’s premier ski resorts, Aspen/Snowmass, with the Power of Four™ unique separate ski areas linked by convenient free shuttles. Head coach Weems Westfeldt, who has lived in Aspen long enough to be called a local, has recruited a talented, international and nondenominational group of local and visiting coaches and created a unique indoor program for ESA based on his new book, Brilliant Skiing, Every Day (2006), explaining the Sports Diamond™, a kind of Swiss Army knife for developing skiers of all levels.

Here’s the program…

Academy Overview:

We will open with a welcome party Sunday evening, and then we’ll ski for four full days in small groups with instruction that includes indoor presentations after skiing to help anchor and expand on the learning we do on-snow. Our goal is for all our participants to leave the Academy happy they came, delighted with their skiing, and equipped with the skills to continue making progress as their own best coach after they return home.

Working in small groups with one of our top pros, students will attain progress in four important areas that will open the door to sustainable growth:

1. They’ll learn to collaborate so both teacher and student are centered on the student’s learning—together discovering what is needed for improvement.
2. Students will learn the fundamentals of self-coaching so they can continue to advance at home every day they are on the snow.
3. Students will develop a systemic understanding of what it takes to keep moving forward in any sports endeavor to which they apply themselves. The transferability of what you learn at ESA makes it an invaluable experience.
4. Learning to learn – that’s what creates breakthroughs! One of the greatest skills an athlete possesses is persistence—to move through the ups and downs and the failures and successes of sports development and to realize that “it’s all good.”

Our Credo

We strongly believe that the ability to keep learning no matter what, a state formerly reserved for young children and top athletes, is eminently attainable by reasonably motivated adult recreational skiers.

Where

Our headquarters will be at Snowmass. We will hold our indoor sessions during the week at the Snowmass Convention Center. We will have access to ski all four Aspen ski areas.

Dates

The welcome party is Sunday, January 11, 2009. We’ll ski for the following four days and (reluctantly) say farewell Thursday, January 15.

Price

$950 for four full days of instruction, lift tickets, afternoon sessions, welcome party, video movement analysis, bootfitting assessment, formal banquet Wednesday evening, and a souvenir. This leaves your transportation, meals, lodging and equipment as additional trip expenses.

Attendance Policy

EpicSki Academy is a benefit reserved for EpicSki Subscribers and their guests. If you’re not a subscriber at the time of registration, your additional $35 will provide the necessary upgrade for one year. We hope you’ll participate in the forums, read often, and add your comments and voice to the discussions there.

Lodging

Our students can book $179/single or double occupancy, newly renovated “superior” rooms with scenic views at the Wildwood Lodge, next door to the Snowmass Convention Center where we will hold our indoor functions, and adjacent to the Snowmass Village Mall. This price is subject to various taxes which currently add up to 12.3%. The rate includes complimentary Aspen airport shuttle; ample hot breakfast buffet in the lodge’s restaurant; ski storage at Snowmass Sports on the slopes at the end of the Mountain Mall; outdoor swimming pool and whirlpool; access to the Silvertree Health Club & Spa (at a cost depending on how many days you want to use it), with Wireless Internet available in your room for $9.95/day. There is a laundry room on the premises, a bar in the lobby, and an excellent steakhouse restaurant. There’s an extra person charge of $25/person per night, not including children under 12, who stay free in a parent’s room. Rollaway beds are $25/night and cribs are free.

Phone (800) 525-9402 or (970) 923-3520 to make lodging reservations. Be sure to tell the desk clerk you are with EpicSki Academy to get the special rate.

You are free to book other lodgings, of course! See http://www.snowmassvillage.com/lodging-specials.

Transportation

There are a number of carriers flying to Aspen, Eagle and Grand Junction: http://www.aspensnowmass.com/travelinfo/air.cfm. Aspen Airport transfers are included in the rate at the Pokolodi/Snowmass Inn.

Information about ground transportation from other area airports (Eagle, Grand Junction and Denver International) and local transportation: http://www.aspensnowmass.com/travelinfo/ground.cfm

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is recommended. It may be purchased through your travel agent.

Miscellaneous

If you have questions, please contact us.