Have your abilities reached a plateau? Do you ever feel like you're fighting your gear, the slope or your own technique? Is there terrain you're tired of avoiding? Big moguls, deep powder, steep cruisers, the trees...where have you always wanted to go?

EpicSki Academy is your ticket there!

In short, the EpicSki Academy is an opportunity to overcome the limitations that have you enjoying your time on skis less than you think you could. Regardless of the improvement you’d like to see, the ESA is specifically designed to address it, independent of your current skill level and ski history.

Come as you are! The ESA is specifically created for dedicated skiers, and attendees have ranged from very new skiers to those with many years under their skis. The ESA is designed to help you improve in those areas specifically of interest to you. In fact, we’ll ask you to fill out a pre-event questionnaire so that we can be certain to connect you with like-minded fellows for your joint benefit.

Come along, share your knowledge, and grow even better! We all have something to learn about skiing, and as dedicated skiers, we’re all seeking new insights, skills, and thrills. Come along to see what additional growth you can experience and what new sensations you can experience in your skiing.

At EpicSki Academy you'll join a group of dedicated skiers that take learning seriously and have a great time while taking their skiing to the next level.

“One of the biggest draws, I think, is the EpicSki community that is present BEFORE AND AFTER the actual Academy. It's Awesome to know that some of the great coaches are there for you to talk to. Even if it's generally, as in posting a topic as opposed to private messages, the learning never stops.”

--Bonni B. Barcus, participant in 2003 and 2004.

The other difference is that we select our coaches based on one criteria: Excellence. All of our coaches are seasoned pros at the top of their game. Because we're not tied to any ideology or system, just the fundamentals of good skiing, our coaches know no boundaries, just like our students and our academy itself.

A sampling of comments from those who attended the 2006 Snowbird ESA:

• "The coaching was simply phenomenal!"
• “I could feel a change in my skiing and I had a lot of fun”
• "The boot balancing was just superb."
• "The whole package was excellent."
• "My skiing improved dramatically."
• "The mountain, the people, the coaches, the fact that everyone there was serious about skiing."
• "I felt as a first-timer that I was part of something special."
• "The camaraderie of our team of students, the quality of the instruction, the fun and adventure on the mountain were outstanding in every way."

Your skiing will change in a direction keeping with your personal goals and aspirations. We heard from people who said their skiing changed more in four days than in four years, but the most common remark we received after last year's clinic was that the quality of the instruction and the enthusiasm of the participants was what made it so special. Some people believe in and experience breakthroughs; others absorb instruction incrementally and progress steadily. We firmly believe that we can make a difference in your skiing. The combination of quality instruction and participant enthusiasm creates an incredibly positive affective environment for learning that seemed to lift up everyone up in it.

Last year our students gave our coaches a cumulative score of 4.7 on the quality of the coaching on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (superior).

At Stowe it covers two full days of instruction, lift tickets, group breakfast the first morning and banquet that evening, video, bootfitting diagnosis and souvenir. At Aspen/Snowmass and at Tahoe event fees cover four full days of instruction and lift tickets, afternoon presentations, welcome party, farewell banquet, video, bootfitting diagnosis and souvenir. This leaves your transportation, meals, lodging, and equipment as additional trip expenses.

At Stowe

Our headquarters for ESA East is the Town & Country Resort where we have a block of rooms reserved from Friday December 15 through Sunday December 17, 2007. The special guest room rate is $68/night, double occupancy, subject to 10% local and state tax. Telephone (800) 323-0311 to make reservations—and be sure to tell them you are with EpicSki Academy.

At Aspen/Snowmass

We have arranged for special lodging rates at three price points at the Snowmass Inn, the Pokolodi Lodge and the Wildwood Lodge, all of which offer a complimentary breakfast, ski storage, and are conveniently located within a short walk of the slopes and adjacent to the Snowmass Village Mall. All prices quoted are subject to various taxes which currently add up to 12.3%.

The Snowmass Inn
$134/single or double occupancy, value lodging. Includes Continental breakfast next door at the Pokolodi Lodge, ski storage, access to outdoor hot tub and swimming pool. Internet hookup is available for a daily charge. Located two mall levels down from our indoor meeting rooms. There's an extra person charge of $15/person per night, not including children under 12, who stay free in a parent's room. Telephone (970) 923-4202 or (800) 635-3758 to book reservations or email lodging@snowmassinn.com.

The Pokolodi Lodge
$152/single or double occupancy, standard rooms, all rooms newly remodeled last year. Includes Continental breakfast, Internet access, ski storage, access to outdoor hot tub and swimming pool on the premises. Located two mall levels down from our indoor meeting rooms. There's an extra person charge of $15/person per night, not including children under 12, who stay free in a parent's room. Telephone (800) 666-4556 or (970) 923-4310 to book reservations or email lodging@pokolodi.com.

The Pokolodi/Snowmass Inn rates can be extended three days prior and three days after January 19-25, 2008. Fifty percent of the lodging cost is due within 10 days of booking and the balance is due 30 days prior to arrival. This deal is good until November 19, 2007.

Individual cancellation policy: If the reservation is cancelled more than 30 days prior to arrival, the deposit is refunded less $50 handling fee. If the reservation is cancelled within 30 days of arrival, 100% of the deposit is forfeited. If the room is resold, there is a $50 handling fee. No shows will forfeit all deposits.

For more information about the Snowmass Inn and Pokolodi Lodge see resort stats.

The Wildwood Lodge
$179/single or double occupancy, superior rooms with scenic views. Includes hot breakfast in the Village Steakhouse, ski storage at Snowmass Sports located on the slopes at the end of the mall, outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, access to the Silvertree Health Club (at a cost depending on how many days you want to use it, same for Silvertree Guests) and the ability to charge meals to your room at the Brothers Grille. Wireless Internet is available for $9.95/day. Indoor meetings will be at the Wildwood Lodge or next door at the Conference Center. There's an extra person charge of $25/person per night, not including children under 12, who stay free in a parent's room.

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

At Big Sky

We have made arrangements for first class, deluxe, and loft rooms on-slope at the Huntley Lodge, which includes a skier’s hearty breakfast buffet. Children 10 and under stay free when in the same room as their parents with existing beds and enjoy complimentary daily breakfast buffet and lift tickets.

First class lodging rates are $110 for one person, $135 for two persons, $160 for three persons, and $185 for four persons.

Deluxe lodging rates are $120 for one person, $145 for two persons, $170 for three persons, and $195 for four persons.

Loft rooms (can sleep six people) are $140 for one person, $165 for two persons, $190 for three persons, $215 for four persons, $240 for five persons, and $265 for six persons. These rates do not include tax and service fees. The current total is 17% for tax and service fees on accommodations.

The Huntley Lodge has a restaurant, bar, pool, hot tub, and shops. It adjoins the Yellowstone Conference Center, where all of our indoor activities will take place. The resort offers daily yoga sessions, free ski movies, and numerous family activities that are complimentary for Huntley guests. More information about the Huntley Lodge here.

When you make your lodging reservations, be sure the salesperson knows you are attending EpicSki Academy.

We plan for a student-teacher ratio of 5:1. This is in contrast to the industry average of 8:1.

Yes! We will have videographers on hand and A/V equipment for review sessions.

Yes. We invite outstanding bootfitters to be part of ESA and work with the local shops to get ESA-goers a good deal on ski demos and tuning.

We welcome non-participating family members at all our après-ski functions, but due to liability issues, we can only accept students over 18 years of age. Because we will have broad central lodging and meeting arrangements at Snowbird, bringing children is easily managed.

No. We find that participants can do better on their own using one of the online discount travel sites.

Yes, we use PayPal to handle credit card purchases. Use these links:

• Stowe
• Aspen/Snowmass
• Tahoe

We have not sold out an ESA yet, but we have been getting close!

We expect payment in full no later than two weeks prior to the event. (Don’t worry, we send a reminder.)

A participant who withdraws from an ESA event at least 60 days prior to the event will receive a 100% refund; those withdrawing between 59 and 30 days prior will receive a 50% refund; those withdrawing within 29 days of the event will forfeit 100% of their payment. Anyone withdrawing may opt instead to apply payment to a future ESA event. We make exceptions for personal medical emergencies only.