About Ski To Live & Upcoming Clinics

Dear Friends,

I've been humbled and overwhelmed with the response to the Ski To Live clinics. Your enthusiasm has shown what I felt was true, that there's a real passion for exploring the depth and meaning found in sports. Most of the clinics have been selling out, so if you're interested in attending I recommend securing your reservations right away. -Kristen

At this time, the Ski To Live programs for 2008 include:

Snowbird:

This Ski To Live adventure is for skiers, snowboarders, and telemarkers scheduled for Jan. 3-6, 2008. To sign up for the all inclusive program, call 1-800-232-9542 and hit 2 for reservations. Sign up early as rooms this year are upgraded spa-level, high end rooms, but only as available. If you encounter any difficulties, want to sign up double occupancy but are flying solo, or if you have questions- please email me.

If you're a local and don't need lodging, call 801-933-2174.

Alta: (clinic information)

This Ski To Live adventure is for skiers and telemarkers only (alas, Alta does not allow snowboarding), scheduled for April 3-6, 2008. Fill out the registration form and Kristen will then contact you requesting a deposit of $500. The entire amount is then due 30 days prior to the event. All but $100 is refundable until 30 days prior, after that refunds are dependent upon re-sale of the lodging, which usually isn't a problem. If you have any questions, call Kristen at 801-733-5003 or email Kristen. Click here to register

This Ski To Live is open to every one and is the same as the Snowbird and Park City cinics, although cancer survivors, their friends and families are also encouraged to attend. Cancer will not be discussed however, unless you would like to bring it up yourself.

To read a story about the cancer survivor aspect of Ski To Live Alta, which was featured in the April 20, 2005 edition of USA Today, click here. Kristen was also featured in a Blue Cross Blue Shield ad for her work with cancer survivors at this Alta clinic.

Park City:

This all-inclusive clinic will be hosted for skiers, telemarkers and snowboarders at Park City February 28 - March 2, 2008.

To register, call Sharon at 435-647-5478.

Or call/email Kristen for details. 801-733-5003

What to Expect

All this talk about mental side of skiing and boarding, Zen, yoga, Big Mind blah blah—what the heck are you signing up for anyway? USA Today says these are the only programs of their kind in the world, in any sport. But how is that possible, what does that suggest?

For starters: Ski To Live is not affiliated with any religion—although religious folks are certainly encouraged to attend. They're not about psychology; you will not be expected to talk about your mother, ha ha. Nor are they "new-agey"—in fact they may be the antithesis of the new age movement, although participants in the new age movement might find our approach fascinating.

Instead, what these programs are is different for each person who attends, reflecting the differences in where they are in their lives and what they're looking for.

Some attend because they want to learn how to ski faster, catch air or finally rip the bumps. Some attend because they experience too much fear while skiing and want to take a hard, real look at why.

Some attend because they know what a valuable, passionate part of their lives a sport can be and they'd like to bring such consciousness into jobs, relationships and self understanding.

And others attend because they want to access and blow open their minds to exactly who they are as human beings and why they're on this planet, all while skiing the best snow on earth or flying with the best trapeze instructors that exist.

So, back to our question, what to expect? Try all of the above, but in a big, big way. These programs are not Zen-light, they are intense, supremely intelligent, irreverent, fun and will challenge the way you see just about everything. We've found a way to let people be whomever they are, participate in whatever capacity they'd like, and discover their own reasons for being here, without being steered in any one direction or without any confrontation or struggle. Imagine that. And they work—95% of the guests recognize Ski To Live as one of the most important experiences of their lives.

Oh, expect to meet a pile of new best friends, and to leave with stronger, gorgeous muscles too.

The Schedule In Brief

Thursday night - this is a very important gathering to meet the group and set the tone for the experience you'll be having. Group dinner follows.

Friday through Sunday: Yoga in the morning, yummy breakfast, then skiing in like groups for 4 hours with carefully selected coaches and Kristen Ulmer, where guidance is based more on the mental and spiritual side of our sports, versus purely technical tips. Lunch, then a few hours time on your own to ski more, hang with your new friends, or go to the spa.

In the afternoon comes a half hour transition led by Kristen, before spending the evenings in a warm, comfortable environment where Genpo Roshi will utilize the Big Mind process.

This is a simple, facilitated process that allows practitioners to experience a shift in consciousness from an ego-centered perspective to a universal perspective, discover the True Master within, and learn how to effortlessly tap into innate wisdom and compassion. Dinners follow so the group can laugh and discuss our days and lives. Sunday night is slightly different in that we have a party and awards ceremony.

On Monday, seeing as how it's difficult to return back to work and "real" life right away (it's a tough transition), many people choose to stay and ski or board another day with their new friends.

Locals Note: If you're not staying at the hotel, meals or other considerations can be easily arranged.

Thanks for your interest, and sharing with me a passion for skiing, snowboarding and life. See you on the mountain.

- Kristen