There is a bright and bubbly group of women who gather every Friday afternoon at Giants Ridge for some time on the trails. Ride like a GRL, Giants Ridge Ladies, is a six week program the mountain offers in the winter for ladies of all abilities to come and learn to ski and snowboard with the support and instruction from other women.

Heidi Karlsson is the director of this program and she has built a very strong and supportive community of women who are eager to embrace winter on the slopes. Her team spends the afternoon leading different lesson groups that encourage the ladies to participate, have fun, and enjoy the winter together.

“Skiing is a lifetime sport. It’s something we can do our whole lives. You don’t have to be competitive at it. It’s something that can encompass the whole family. I started as a child skiing with my family and it’s just neat to see that going- and the light I call it come back in their eyes when they figure out exactly how to hit that nice carve or to actually they are in control of their skis. So that’s fun”

Many of the women have been coming back year after year as the lessons help build confidence and comfortability while skiing in a positive and fun environment.