Opinions on Oakley Progression Sessions?

[Cyanicenine]

Just wondering if anyone has been before and if they thought it was worth it. $350 is a lot of money, but if the coaching is good and the atmosphere is fun it might be worth it. I would have to drive to Whistler from Seattle, which is a bit of a commitment and more cash as well, so would love to hear more about it before I make any decisions.

Here's the link: http://www.oakleyprogressionsessions.com/info/

And their website description:

Looking to step up your skills on the hill? Want to get personalized coaching from Oakley’s top professional athletes? Oakley Progression Sessions is a two-day on-snow camp for the intermediate rider who is looking to advance her “freestyle” skills to the next level, and have fun while doing it!

For women by women, Oakley Progression Sessions is staffed by professional coaches, and it takes place in an on-snow environment where you don’t have to be intimidated by big jumps, aggressive rails, huge pipes or overwhelming crowds. With the private, custom terrain park built just for attendees (available at certain locations), you’ll be able to build your skills at your own pace and comfort level with help and encouragement from the Oakley team.

And that’s just on the hill. Off the hill, we’ll have stretching/yoga sessions each morning to get you warmed up and ready to ride. For the best performance, you’ll get your own custom Oakley Elevate goggle, and you get to design it! Lunch and après are included each day, along with the opportunity to make new friends with girls that have the same love of winter sports as you do. You’ll also get an AMAZING goodie bag, and we’ll be giving out product prizes and much more!

So COME SHRED WITH US! Oakley Progression Sessions is open to women ages 15 and up, and it’s coming to a mountain near you. Space is limited, so don’t hesitate… grab a girlfriend and sign up now!

LOCATIONS:

1. Whistler Blackcomb, BC (March 14-15, 2015) $350 USD w/o season pass, $300 w/ season pass.

2. Mammoth Mountain, CA (March 21-22, 2015) $290 USD

3. Loon Mountain, NH (March 28-29, 2015) $215, $255 (includes two-day lift ticket)

4. Mont Tremblant, Quebec (April 4-5, 2015) $299 USD

EVENT DETAILS:

Loon Mountain

2 day on-snow ski and snowboard progression camp

40 snowboard participants**

15 ski participants**

Professional coaches/Oakley pro rider guest coaches

2 day lift tickets

Lunch both days

Park session

Morning yoga/stretching sessions

Oakley goggles

Event Jersey

Gift bag

Discounted lodging

Saturday Après party

Sunday awards ceremony

**Total participants vary by location**

 

[notspoicey]

My homie up in Edmonton went to the session at Lake Louise last year, and it looked sweet. I'm gonna link her this thread

 

[annex_]

was last year the first year they put skiing in these? I remember seeing this in 2013 at LL and it was only boarders.

 

[erica]

my friend went a couple years ago at Mammoth and loved it! she said it's definitely more snowboard oriented but I'm sure the ski side is growing! I'll link her to this!

 

[iHopBoarders]

I went to an OPS in Mammoth a couple years ago, and loved it! I snowboard, and it's definitely more of that type of atmosphere. All of the program leaders are snowboard industry ladies, but I know that Kaya's gonna be coaching at Whistler, which is awesome.

So I would say it was about 85% snowboarding, 15% skiing. However, such a friendly atmosphere!

In terms of coaching, it's kinda up to you if you want to seriously learn something, or just have fun. You get to do clinics in halfpipe, park, and just ride around for a little, especially the first day. The second day, I chose to join a coach that was just focusing on rails, and that's when I actually learned a few tricks I was working on.

Another factor is the age of the participants- I went when I was 17, and I was the 2nd youngest there. Many of the ladies are in their 20s, as well as some in their 30s! So unfortunately, I didn't get to join in the apres events, since they were all 21+

Also, I think they had some breakfast options early before we did our yoga in the morning, but I would count on finding your own breakfast and dinner, especially since the place I was staying at was up on the mtn, while the OPS home base was down in the village of the resort.

All in all, it's a fun, no-pressure atmosphere, and a great place to meet some new ladies to shred with!

Plus you get to make your own Oakley goggles, and they give you a sick goodie bag

 

[Cyanicenine]

I wish I could find out if they were for certain going to be building their own private ladies only progression park like they say they will at certain locations. I really don't want to be stuck fighting the crowds in the public park on a weekend at Whistler.

^Thanks for the input.

 

[notspoicey]

PSA they have 40 snowboarders and 15 skiers

 

[meggers]

I am one of the coaches for the Loon OPS. (Local coach not Oakley coach) and it is the greatest weekend ever! Is anyone going to the one at Loon? Ask me anything about it!

It is totally worth the money, you get more then what you pay for in swag on the first day. You get to ride around with amazing coaches and even more amazing girls and rip up a private park No Boys Allowed! It is a great encouraging atmosphere. And they really break down how to do a trick so you can take that knowledge with you and apply it to breaking down any trick during the season when you are trying to learn. And we try to help you have fun on the whole mountain!

The reason there are more snowboarders then skiers is that it used to be a snowboard only camp. If anyone wants to hear how it came to be for skiers too I am happy to share the story. And at least at Loon if there is a waiting list for skiers and open boarder spots they will give them to skiers.

 

[Cyanicenine]

So I got a response from Whistler:

We will not be building a private park for the Oakley Progression Session. It will take place in the Blackcomb Terrain Garden. This park has smaller features and is much quieter than the bigger parks on Whistler and Blackcomb. If you’re in the area already perhaps you’d like to check it out before you decide to register? Should be a great event otherwise!

Can anyone tell me about the Terrain Garden features and how crowded it gets on the weekend? Not quite as hyped about this event now that I know it will be in the public park.

 

[Cyanicenine]

The reason there are more snowboarders then skiers is that it used to be a snowboard only camp. If anyone wants to hear how it came to be for skiers too I am happy to share the story. And at least at Loon if there is a waiting list for skiers and open boarder spots they will give them to skiers.

I'd like to hear the story. I'm glad to see the skiers and snowboarder girls combining their events like with 9 queens.

 

[meggers]

I'd like to hear the story. I'm glad to see the skiers and snowboarder girls combining their events like with 9 queens.

For years it was a snowboard only camp because it was started by snowboard girls. They did what they knew. And they were great at it. I had asked every year for 3 years if I could do it on skis and I was told by the events people at Loon that it was boarders only because no skiers wanted to do it...even tho I was there every year asking about it. One skier wasn't enough.

So I checked in with one of the girls involved with the camp and told her I wanted to do it on skis and she was all for it. That was the first year Oakley was involved.

I was so scared, showing up to an all snowboarder event on skis, knowing I wasn't supposed to be there. I was afraid they would kick me out. The Oakley girls that were there were so stoked on it and sad they didn't have a ski coach for me. It was amazing how welcoming everyone was and how everyone was on my side to include skiers. That was the year Oakley took over the camp and expanded from Women's Droppin In to Oakley Progression Sessions. When they took over they added 10 skier spots at every stop.

The next year, the first official year of skiers, I was there and so excited. The year after I was asked to coach as Loon's local coach. It has been an honor to involved and be able to share my passion with others.

 

[annex_]

So I got a response from Whistler:

Can anyone tell me about the Terrain Garden features and how crowded it gets on the weekend? Not quite as hyped about this event now that I know it will be in the public park.

That is unfortunate....

Big easy has literally got like 3 TINY jumps (like good for learning mayyyyybe a 3 or a 5 on unless you want to buck your meat) and like 1 rainbow box, and 2 flat boxes. and you have to hike out to get to cat skinner chair... unless they change it before the event.

I mean good for people who've never really done much park but not so good for the others who have. Weekends are pretty crowded. unless they shut it off to the public which i'm sure they will, it gets pretty busy especially with all the snowboarders hiking every feature. I stay away and tend to go more for whis park. black has some sick features right now too.

 

[Cyanicenine]

That is unfortunate....

Yeah it is. I had another lady saying the same thing as you in regards to the park, as a result I've decided not to go. I mean maybe they'll move to the larger park once they realize, but then you're stuck fighting the crowds and the email whistler sent me implied that they were not in any way making the park private for the ladies. Fuck that. I don't even like riding park on the weekends at my local mountain, which is about a billion times less crowded then whistler gets.

If anyone does end up going though, I'd love to hear about it. Maybe they'll salvage it somehow.

 

[annex_]

yeah hopefully they maybe start there to gauge where everyone's at then move according to ability? No idea. I would've loved to have gone in that case, but i can't ski now so