Summer Camp Skiers Launch Big Airs On Volcano

As a skier, you've got one of a few options once the snow melts. A: Pick up mountain biking and pretend skiing doesn't exist. B: Acknowledge that skiing still exists and suffer immensely because you can't ski until next winter. C: Acknowledge that skiing still exists, but instead of wallowing in self-pity, make a trip to one of a few summer resorts in North America.

I'm partial to option C for obvious reasons. If I had my way, my summer would look something like this.

It's been years since I've skied in the summer. Life, I suppose, finds a way to get in the way of my consistently ill-fated late-season ski plans.

Alas, it's always good to see that conditions are still firing at Mt. Hood, Oregon. A little vicarious living never hurt anybody.

This video was shot at Party Beach Ski Camps, a summer training session coached by Lyndsay Strange, Marcus Caston, and Connery Lundin -- a group that collectively touts USSA alpine coaching certifications, Warren Miller ski movie appearances, and Freeskiing World Tour Titles.

PBSC sets itself apart by providing a freeride and big mountain-focused experience. Most camps on the Mt. Hood glacier revolve around freestyle, building enormous terrain parks to entice prospective campers.

Here's how PBSC describes its on-snow experience:

"This camp is a Big Mountain/Freeride focus, utilizing ski race techniques to create a balanced, well rounded skier. We will have our proprietary “cliff drop” private playground feature where we will develop a progression for skiers to tackle their fears and push their limits in our unique, safe and inclusive environment."

I gotta admit when I first read "proprietary 'cliff drop' private playground," I did a double take. As those who've checked it out in the summer already know, Mt. Hood doesn't serve up much big mountain terrain during the warmer months. The resort's Palmer Lift accesses one featureless snowfield pockmarked by various man-made training courses for moguls, freestyle, and racing.

But PBSC, with that mysterious "proprietary 'cliff drop,'" cleverly handled this perceived lack. No cliffs, you ask? Just build em' yourself, which is precisely what PBSC does each summer.

Here's what that looks like in action:

While PBSC has wrapped up ops for the summer, they'll be back next season for another round of camps. You can either ship your kiddos their direction or, if you've always wanted to ski with the likes of Lyndsay Strange, Marcus Caston, and Connery Lundin yourself, sign for an adult camper session.

For the freestyle-oriented, Windells Camp and Mt. Hood Summer Ski Camp are great alternative options.

The truth is, you can't go wrong with whatever camp you settle for (aside from the admittedly high price of admission). Mt. Hood is pure magic in the summer. And if an organized camp environment isn't your thing, car camping in the woods around Government Camp, Oregon, is always an option.

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