According to the Outdoor Industry Association, 46 percent of U.S. outdoor sports participants are women. And sometimes those women like to take trips with other women, where they can learn, enjoy, and challenge themselves in the company of other ladies who rip. Here are some of our favorite opportunities.
Alpine Finishing School
Selkirk Backcountry Lodge, British Columbia
For experienced backcountry skiers and splitboarders, is taught by ACMG ski guide Kate Devine and held each April at a backcountry lodge in British Columbia. Put on by the nonprofit organization She Jumps, the camp will teach you glacier travel, crevasse rescue, route finding, orienteering, avalanche safety, and more, surrounded by gals with the same high-alpine objectives as you. From $2,300.
Run Wild Retreats
Iceland
Elinor Fish, an ultrarunner with a focus on mindful running, leads women鈥檚 trail-running retreats around the world. This summer, she鈥檚 offering . You鈥檒l learn how to train smarter, recover more fully, and build a running routine that actually fits into your busy life. This is basically a sweet vacation鈥攊ncluding wellness workshops, communal Scandinavian dinners, and geothermal lagoons鈥攖hat happens to include beautiful daily trail runs. From $4,800.
Outessa Series
California, Oregon, and New Hampshire
This summer, you can join REI on all-women trips () to places like Kirkwood, California; Mount Hood, Oregon; or Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. You鈥檒l spend a three-day weekend hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and stand-up paddleboarding. A chef whips up fresh meals on site, and you can opt for DIY camping or splurge to have a camp host set up a deluxe tent for you. From $749.
Chicks with Picks
Greece
In April, Chicks with Picks is leading a new . You鈥檒l scale limestone cliffs hanging over the Aegean Sea and receive guiding and instruction from world-class female climbers. The eight-day trip includes six days of guided climbing geared toward climbers of all levels. Not up for an international trip? Chicks with Picks also leads trips to domestic locales like Utah, Grand Teton National Park, and Kentucky鈥檚 Red River Gorge. From $1,999.
Ladies All Ride
Various Locations
Ladies All Ride brings together female mountain bikers of all levels for , including Bend, Oregon; Big Sky, Montana; Sedona, Arizona; and Brevard, North Carolina. You鈥檒l start with skills clinics from pro mountain biker and All Ride founder Lindsey Richter to learn tips like cornering and body positioning, and then you鈥檒l hit the singletrack for group rides. From $375.
Surf Diva Surf School
La Jolla, California
For newbies, San Diego鈥檚 Surf Diva Surf School offers every weekend year-round at the beginner-friendly break off La Jolla Shores Beach. You鈥檒l get board rental, pro instruction, and easy-to-learn tips that鈥檒l have you catching your first waves in no time. For intermediate surfers looking to up their game, the school also offers five-day and overnight camps for more in-depth instruction. From $165.