DEER VALLEY — There are differences in the way men and women ski . . . the way they stand, the way they turn, the resorts they like.
It even came out in the equipment they ski on.
Several years ago, ski areas around the country began to address the feminine side of the sport. Women — in most cases, recognized names in the sport such as former ski racers — were hired by resorts to conduct "women only" clinics.
Now there's a move to offer the same to men. "Equal time," as one male student jokes.
And, according to Sal Raio, director of skier services for Deer Valley, the early "men only" classes have gone well. "We expect, over time, they'll pick up. It was that way with the classes for women. Gradually, through word of mouth, mainly, the word got out that this program was available."
Available and, as he suggested, growing.
"What we've done is paralleled the new men's program after the women's," said Raio. "We talked about such a program for a long time. It made sense. Over the years, we've had men ask if we offered such a program."
Thus far, Deer Valley has tried two concepts. With one, the men met and skied once a week over a four-week period. This one was geared for locals. The second involves a three-day weekend — Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It was more popular with the destination visitor.
Classes were held in January and February, and, had Deer Valley not been so involved in the Olympics — it was venue for the moguls, freestyle aerials and slalom — it would be holding a session this month.
"As it is, we're getting the word out so people can plan for next year. We'll be holding clinics in January, February and March," he explained.
Studies show, for starters, that men and women, because of body structure, stand differently. Their feet align differently, thus so do their skis.
"One of the first things we address is stance and alignment," says Raio. "It's important to have the alignment correct. We can help with the alignment, which will make the ski respond for a more positive edge engagement. It's surprising what a difference that will make."
Other areas addressed are equipment, technique and terrain.
Studies have shown, for example, that equipment can be designed to better suit skiing styles between men and women, which is why manufacturers are coming out with gender-specific gear, mainly skis and boots.
"We've also found that men and women like to ski different areas so it doesn't make sense to lump them together. In the case of men, for example, we've found they like to ski more aggressively and ski places where there are moguls and chutes. They want to get out and ski terrain they haven't skied before," he notes.
"Our objective is to improve their skiing technique in those areas they like to ski."
In both cases, with men and women, one of the more enjoyable parts of the individualized programs is the camaraderie they generate. Students go through the early stages of orientation together, eat together and ski together, and always with the same instructor.
Classes are broken down into skiing abilities. For the men's classes, skiers typically fall between levels 5 and 9, with level 5 being those students starting into the parallel turns and level 9 being those at the expert level.
For the women's classes, most of the students have fallen into levels 5 and 6.
Another teaching tool, says Raio, is the use of video to review and critique a skier's style and technique.
"Currently, the women's program is very successful," he notes. "Our guess is that the men's program will be just as success given time and getting the word out that such a program is available."
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