The Best Ski Camps To Prep For Winter

Mt. Hood Summer Ski Camp offers camps for ski racing (both GS and Slalom), moguls, freeski terrain park, and snowboard freeride/terrain park for everyone from kids to adults.

Mt. Hood, located in Oregon’s Cascade mountains, is well-known for its year-round skiing, thanks to the Palmer Snowfield on the mountain’s south side. Throughout the summer, the mountain is also home to multiple camps, and at Mt. Hood Summer Ski Camp, there’s a chance to improve within a range of ski niches.

The camps offer on-snow ski training in ski racing (both GS and Slalom), moguls, freeski terrain park, and snowboard freeride/terrain park. Along with on-snow training, participants get to round out their experience with dryland training, video analysis, and workshops on sports psychology and nutrition.

The range in camps extends beyond ski style and into ages; Mt. Hood Ski Camp provides camps for kids ages nine and up, as well as for teens, adults, and families. Skill levels range from intermediate through expert, so there really is an option for everyone. Camp sessions run from mid-June through August and beyond the ski training, camp goers can partake in the surrounding scenery through planned afternoon activities like rafting and rock climbing. 

Windells Ski Camp is the freeski camp that operates out of Oregon’s Wy’east Mountain Academy, a 28-acre private campus located near Mt. Hood. 

As effortless as freeskiers make their flips and grabs look, the sport requires serious dedication. Those looking to improve their skill sets should consider Windells Ski Camp, the freeski camp that operates out of Wy’east Mountain Academy, a 28-acre private campus located near Mt. Hood.

Windells Ski Camp provides summer ski camps that cater to youth ages nine through 20, as well as adult “summer ski vacation” for 21-plus and 18-plus demographics. Overall, the camp features five programs, including the Soft Start for beginners, Freeski Focus for those interested in the terrain park, Performance Camp for competitive athletes, and the Super Session, which includes skiing, skateboarding, surfing, mountain biking, and rafting. Windells also hosts specialized programs like Windells Girl to encourage female participation and Groms for younger skiers and riders.

The academy is known for its extensive terrain, and in 2025 Windell will open their new dryslope and airbag, an Olympic training feature with a jump size that varies from 30 feet up to 60.

Each summer session runs from late June through July, each lasting a week. Camps provide a comprehensive package including accommodation, meals, and professional coaching. The camp's facilities include skateparks, trampolines, and The Courtyard, a grass field at the center of camp designed to to host nightly activities.

The Mt. Hood Intro Ski Mountaineering Camp is a five-day camp based out of Mt. Hood that focuses on the basics of backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering, and safe mountain travel. The camp is led by a team of all-women professionals and is intended for participants ages 14 to 19.

In 2011, professional skier Keely Kelleher created Keely’s Camp for Girls , the first-ever girls specific ski race camp. Nearly 15 years later, she’s extended her programming to include her Intro Ski Mountaineering Camp, a five-day camp based out of Mt. Hood that focuses on the basics of backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering, and safe mountain travel.

The camp is led by a team of all-women professionals, which is intended to create a nurturing environment for the female participants who range in age from 14 to 19. Skiers are expected to have an intermediate to advanced skill level (as should anyone who heads out of bounds) and who want to learn essential mountaineering techniques. Skiers will dive into the basics of skinning, crampon use, ice ax self-arrest, rope travel, and more. The camp emphasizes safety and teamwork and has curated a supportive environment to learn.

The camp runs in early July, which provides an ample window into Mt. Hood's terrain, and the variable weather conditions at that time give a realistic training environment. Beyond improving upon mountain travel skills, it’s the camp’s goals to create a new generation of self-sufficient and capable leaders in the mountains. 

Woodward Ski Camp is held each year at Copper Mountain, Colorado, and it’s well regarded stomping grounds for young skiers and snowboarders looking to progress their skill sets in a supportive environment.

Situated in the Rockies, Woodward Copper offers week-long overnight sessions with amenities to spare: the camp includes a 19,400 sq. ft. indoor training center outfitted with skateparks, Olympic-level trampolines, foam pit jumps, and indoor ski and snowboard training areas. Not too shabby.

The camp is designed for skiers and snowboarders aged 8 and up, making it an ideal spot for both beginners looking to learn new tricks and more advanced athletes hoping to refine skills. The staff of professional coaches, skiers, and riders work one-on-one with campers to provide personalized attention.

When the on-snow training is over for the day, participants also get to enjoy the surrounding fun—think hitting the Rocky Mountain Coaster, go-karts, and the Woodward Wrecktangle obstacle course. The camp is designed to be well-rounded and emphasizes a good time on top of skill progression.

Momentum Mogul Summer Ski Camp has been in operation since 1992, and their dedication over time shows. The camp is located on the Horstman Glacier at Blackcomb Mountain in British Columbia, and is open to skiers of all ages and skill levels.

Momentum Mogul Summer Ski Camp has been in operation since 1992, and their dedication over time shows. The camp is located on the Horstman Glacier at Blackcomb Mountain in British Columbia, a summer skier’s paradise. The mogul camp is open to skiers of all ages and skill levels, from adults to kids, and from beginners to those aspiring to compete at the Olympic level—quite the spread. Camp goers are coached by former Olympians and World Cup skiers, a sure-fire way to receive top-tier instruction and personalized feedback.

The camp runs multiple sessions throughout June and July, giving some flexibility to busy summer schedules. Each session focuses on various aspects of mogul skiing, such as speed control, bump absorption, and aerial maneuvers. Participants get to partake in the carefully designed terrain which includes 12 lines of bumps, pro jumps, and training facilities like absorption tanks and airbags. Overall, it’s a safe and progressive learning environment.

Off the slopes, the camp offers a range of activities, including trampoline training, video reviews, and optional sport psychology sessions to enhance their on-snow performance. The inclusive and supportive atmosphere is designed to foster skill development and a sense of community among participants. 

No ski camp list is complete without mention of one that’s ski race specific. And topping the list of camp providers is the National Alpine Ski Camp, which holds a summer GS and Slalom ski camp in Mt. Hood each summer. 

Setting them apart: the custom wave track built in partnership with the Timberline snowcat operators, a feature designed to help racers improve their movement patterns for both GS and Slalom racing. The camp also ensures a 6:1 athlete to coach ratio so campers are able to receive individualized attention and coaches are better able to assess athlete motivation, understanding, movements and equipment needs. National Alpine Ski Camp points out that their 10-day program offers more days on snow than other race camps, with the intention to build confidence in addition to fundamental skill development.

All work and no play never served anyone well, however, and National Alpine Ski Camp takes heed of that with plenty of after-ski activities to facilitate community and strengthen positive attitudes toward adventure—athletes spend their non-training time rock climbing, paddleboarding, mountain biking, white water rafting, playing field sports, mini-golfing, and partaking in recovery activities. 

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