Women Helping Women / Local XC Events Make Skiing Accessible, Not Competitive 

By Alex Kochon

It’s 2023. Women aren’t content with a typical ladies’ night; they need a full day of socializing and laughter. And why not throw on a pair of skis and do something healthy while they’re at it? 

All-women’s cross-country ski events are nothing new in Europe. The Norwegian Birkebeiner ski marathon includes the Inga-låmi women’s races – with options for 5, 15, and 30K distances – as part of its program each year. In Anchorage, Alaska, the Ski for Women is America’s largest women-only Nordic ski event, attracting nearly 1,000 women of all ages for a casual 4K ski in costumes to benefit local nonprofits. It started in 1997 and has snowballed in popularity ever since.

Inspired by the Alaskan women’s event, the New England Nordic Ski Association created its own annual Women’s XC Ski Day in 2002: nensa.net/womens-day. This year it’s scheduled for January 22 in Jackson, N.H., with learn-to-ski clinics taught by women instructors and an emphasis on “relaxed, fun learning in a supportive and encouraging environment.” 

The fun doesn’t stop there. In the Midwest, the American Birkebeiner – the largest cross-country ski race in North America – is debuting the Ski de She from Jan. 27-29, a more intimate three-day camp that’s limited to 100 participants: birkie.com. While the American Birkebeiner (also known as the Birkie) hosts more than 10,000 skiers in its various races, including the 55 and 50K marathon distances, the Ski de She is being presented as a new option for women who might be averse to crowds and want to learn or refine their XC skills. Marketed as “a time for women to come together to expand their skills, build race confidence, and connect with fellow women skiers,” the Ski de She also includes race opportunities, with 10K skate/classic, 20K classic, and 30K skate races on the Birkie trail in Hayward, Wis.

What’s the point of these women-only events? For one, they’re extremely popular. Secondly, they’re an alternative to mass-participation sporting events that have been historically male-dominated. In a study of male and female participants in a large US running event, 95 percent cited “challenge,” “enjoyment,” “strength and endurance,” and “positive health” as reasons for participating (tandfonline.com). Men and women are the same in this capacity, but women’s participation has been significantly lower in these types of events. In recent studies of marathon-distance races worldwide, on average, about 30 percent of participants were women compared to 70 percent of men (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

The number of women recreating or exercising outdoors, participating in larger events, and stepping out of their comfort zones is increasing. Moreover, their participation has been associated with “sociability motives” and a desire to be in nature, according to a Norwegian study (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

Locally, several cross-country ski areas and organizations are hosting all-women events to encourage more women to take up the sport. Whether they’ve never skied or want some tips to improve their technique, there are a couple of notable women’s XC ski days that are worth checking out:

Ladies Ski Clinics at Lapland Lake in Northville on Jan. 21 and Feb. 11 – A staple at the Lapland since 2005, the Ladies Ski Clinics will take place at the cross-country ski center over two days this year, with classic-technique group instruction and recreational skiing from 9:30am-3:30pm on Jan. 21, and skate-skiing instruction and skiing from 9:30-3:30 on Feb. 11.

According to Sherry Dixon, a PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America) certified instructor who helped start the clinic 18 years ago, the Lapland seminars are open to women of all levels, ages 18 and older, and attract newcomers as well as some experienced skiers. They cap at about 30 women per clinic, with seven PSIA instructors leading the group. 

Asked why these clinics are so popular, Sherry didn’t hesitate: “Because there are no men there,” she said with a laugh. “We try to structure it so it’s not intimidating. Most of the people participating are beginners and they’re adults so they feel a lot more comfortable being around women. They didn’t think they were real athletes.”

The clinics are structured with lessons in the morning, followed by lunch (bring or buy your own), and group skiing by ability in the afternoon. Rentals are available and preregistration is requested. Register: laplandlake.com. 

NYSSRA Nordic Women’s Ski Day at Brookhaven in Greenfield on Jan. 28 – New this year, the New York State Ski Racing Association (NYSSRA) Nordic Women’s Ski Day will be held on Jan. 28 at Brookhaven Winter Park in Greenfield. The schedule includes beginner and intermediate classic and skate instruction, followed by lunch and a Q&A session with three expert skiers: 1998 Olympian Deborah Nordyke, NCAA Championships skier Elizabeth Izzo, and orthopedist Dr. Carol Fisher. Lunch is included with registration, after which participants can break off into guided ski groups for the afternoon. The day begins at 9am and skiing ends at 2pm, followed by a final gathering at The View at Brookhaven restaurant and pub with a raffle, snacks, and drinks until 4pm.

According to organizer Heidi Underwood, the idea for a women’s day was actually her husband’s. “Bob Underwood was noodling different and new events that could prompt Nordic skiing in our area,” she wrote in an email. “There has been an amazing boom with women cycling, both mountain bike and road, and he thought a similar boom could happen with Nordic skiing.”

As of early January, more than 30 women had already signed up for the NYSSRA Women’s Day. They will be led by about 10 volunteers, and the event will be capped at 50 participants. Given the interest in the event so far, the Underwoods hope to make it an annual thing. “Our goal is for everyone to feel confident in their ability and want to get back out there the next day to ski!” Heidi wrote. “We hope to make this an annual event and have different hosts in different parts of NY each year.

“It’s just such an amazing sport, whether you’re doing it competitively or for recreation!” she added. “There is nothing like your skis gliding on the snow, your heart beating and breathing in cold fresh air! Being outside, no hustle and bustle of life – doesn’t get any better than that, especially with a group of women!”

This year, they are encouraging participants who need equipment to rent from Inside Edge Ski & Bike Shop. Ski reps from Fischer and One Way will be onsite offering demo equipment to try out on a first-come, first-served basis. Bob also has a limited number of skis and boots available, contact: underdogracing@gmail.com. Register: skireg.com. 

Nordic Ski with Olympic Medalist Andrea Henkel Burke – Whether you’re an accomplished skier or a beginner, this is an opportunity to spend time on the snow with one of the world’s best biathletes. Andrea, a native of Germany who now lives in Lake Placid, is a four-time Olympic athlete, winner of four medals, and has won eight world championships. As a personal trainer, she can personalize a solo or group ski experience for any skill level. Visit: andrea-burke.com.

Erinn Turnock (formerly Flaherty), a Shenendehowa standout XC skier who participated in the Alaskan Ski for Women multiple times and currently coaches middle school skiers, views events like these as a great opportunity to grow the local Nordic community. “Throughout my life, skiing has taken many different forms,” Erinn wrote in an email. “From competition to time with my kids; from social outings to solo skis. The sport has given me friendships, fitness, mental decompression, and family traditions. It really is a lifestyle worth fostering.”

“Besides, nothing beats that post-ski hygge feeling. It’s addictive,” Erinn added. “Let’s continue to share and create opportunities for women to come together, be outside, get exercise, and maybe try something new.”

Local Races – NYSSRA Nordic Ski Races, classic/skate techniques and various distances, with multiple Adirondack and Capital Region locations and ongoing dates (see Calendar of Events): nyssranordic.org. Winona Forest Try-It Ski Race, 9K classic/skate and 18K skate, in Mannsville on Jan. 21: skireg.com. Winona Forest Tourathon Ski Races, 12.5K/25K/50K classic, in Mannsville on Feb. 11: skireg.com. Lake Placid Loppet, 3K/6K/12K classic/skate ski challenges and 25K/50K classic/skate ski races, in Lake Placid on Feb. 26: skireg.com. 

Alex Kochon (alexkochon@gmail.com) of Gansevoort is a freelance writer, editor, and outdoor-loving mom of two who enjoys adventuring in the Adirondacks. An avid XC skier, Alex has reported on World Cup and Olympic skiing, and continues to share her passion as a sales and content contributor for curated.com.