Dean Cummings’ Big Mountain Camps

Snowbird Ski Resort in Utah, U.S.A., is situated in the heart of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Little Cottonwood Canyon. A mere 29 miles from the Salt Lake City International Airport, Snowbird Ski Resort is easily accessible by road via a picturesque route which sets the scene for the world-class snow skiing and snowboarding conditions that this resort is well known for. This is also the venue for Dean Cummings Big Mountain Camps.

Snowbird Ski Resort in Utah, U.S.A., is situated in the heart of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Little Cottonwood Canyon. A mere 29 miles from the Salt Lake City International Airport, Snowbird Ski Resort is easily accessible by road via a picturesque route which sets the scene for the world-class snow skiing and snowboarding conditions that this resort is well known for. This is also the venue for Dean Cummings Big Mountain Camps.

The Big Mountain Camps are four day/four night sessions with Dean Cummings during which he will share his knowledge, ability and experience to guide participants into the best snow skiing terrain and powder available. A combination of lift, backcountry and helicopter access will give skiers four days of action packed snow skiing under the watchful eye of Dean Cummings, one of the most respected and accomplished skiers in the sport, and his team of highly trained instructors. Two sessions are planned for early 2008. The first being 9 to12 January followed by the second session on 6 to 9 February 2008. Participants need to be expert skiers and must be aged 16 years or older.

The focus of the camp will be on performance skiing, while assisting participants to increase their ability to read the terrain, thereby lifting their skills to the next level. With emphasis on the fact that teamwork is required at all times in big mountain travel, all training will be carried out in a group setting. During the introductory team meeting, participants will be briefed on nutrition and physical conditioning, as well as essential safety protocols.

Each morning, over breakfast, Dean will go over the itinerary for the day. Weather conditions and re-emphasis of safety protocol will form part of the discussion. After all the gear has been checked, the team will be instructed on summit and ridge protocol, ski technique relative to the descent and snow conditions, route selection, snow pack assessment, evaluating snow stability, digging snow pits and correct slope cutting techniques. The information gathered will serve as a basis for the descent strategy. At the conclusion of each descent, the group will evaluate and discuss the run with the aim of each team member learning from the other in order to get the most out of the skiing experience.

Education, friendship and fun are the primary objectives of Dean Cummings Big Mountain Camps and snow skiing enthusiasts who attend one of these sessions are sure to benefit from participating as a member of the team.