These days, many ski and snowboard resorts have gone beyond the one-group-fits-all lesson model to offer in-depth workshops tailored specifically for women. Whether you want to brush up on the basics or tackle the bumps, all-women groups can ease anxiety and boost confidence while creating some great friendships. There are several women’s workshops scheduled in March, and some are bundled with bus rides to and from the mountain. Like March, you can embrace your inner lion and hit the slopes roaring this spring.
What:
Okemo’s Women’s Alpine Adventure
When:
March 5-7 and March 9-10
Why:
Okemo’s 20-year-old women’s program has evolved to include two-day, three-day and five-day sessions for skiers and snowboarders. Female coaches do a great job of matching everyone up by ability, even if groups of friends want to stay together. Transportation is not included but meals are, and the lively après ski activities are great ways to meet fellow female skiers and riders. Visit Women’s Alpine Adventure page to register. Getting to Okemo without a car is a breeze. From Penn Station, hop on the Amtrak Vermonter to Bellows Falls, NH or the Ethan Allen Express to Rutland, VT. Okemo has a shuttle service to and from these train stations.
What:
Ladies Shred Bus to Mt. Snow
When:
March 12th
Why:
Ladies can hop on an Ovrride bus from New York City for a day of women-only camaraderie and fun on the slopes. This package includes coaching from Mt. Snow’s female instructors. Skiers and snowboarders are grouped by skill level for morning workshops followed by the included lunch to digest new material and recharge. The afternoon lets you enjoy the slopes until the lifts close at 4 pm. Enjoy après ski on wheels aboard the “Ladies Shred Crew Bus.” Hosts share raffles and giveaways, plus refreshments as you head back to New York.
What:
Stratton’s Women On SnoW (WOW) and Girls’ Time Out
When:
March 10-12
Why:
Stratton has two women’s clinics, WOW for skiers and Girls’ Time Out for boarders. Each program includes two full days of on-snow instruction, plus a food card to buy breakfast and lunch. Students may demo skis from First Run Ski Shop and access Stratton’s Training & Fitness Center. The Stratton Jitney runs directly between New York and the resort, but you may need to make other arrangements for an early Friday arrival. Take Amtrak to Albany and rent a car for the two-hour drive to southern Vermont. Be sure to consult oM’s guide to renting hybrids in NYC.
Photo credit: Hubert Schriebl
Karen de Seve writes about the outdoors, science and nature for all sorts of media, from National Geographic to kids TV to natural history museums. Check out her snow sports blog www.famsnowtime.blogspot.com and follow @kdeseve on twitter.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram