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Y She Skis

Y She Skis participants cross country skiing at Camp du Nord

January 30-Feb 1, 2026 at YMCA Camp Ihduhapi and February 8-11, 2026 at YMCA Camp Du Nord

This was the third year of Y She Skis at Ihduhapi and the first at du Nord. Y She Skis is a women’s ski retreat weekend at camp centered around wellness activities and building community.

Activities included ski lessons (from Annette McNallan), acupuncture, yoga, arts and crafts, sound bath, foam rolling, massage chair, camp sauna, tea ceremony, and time to connect, relax, and decompress at camp. 

Over 50 women participated in the two weekends. 

Jennifer Northrup, Member Experience Specialist, shared, “The community we are building through Y She Skis has become special and unique. There are so many special moments and accomplishments that the women of Y She Skis achieved. There are several quotes from women expressing what the weekend meant.”

Here is what some of the participants shared:

“I just want to say thank you for a fabulous weekend. It was so well organized, and you had everything we needed. The food was great, and our accommodations were perfect. You breathed life into my desire to cross-country ski! I am so glad I purchased all my equipment, so I have a good baseline.  I very much appreciated and value the instruction from Annette… she’s a great teacher!

And most importantly… the camaraderie. I met several women who live in my neighborhood, and we have many of the same values and experiences. So fun”

Another said,

“It was all about improving my skiing skills with the help and support of amazing teachers and coach Ann. But also, the support and encouragement of the other women was both heart-warming and inspiring. I was so happy to just soak up the positive attitudes and warmth of these amazing women.”

Shout out to the staff that helped lead the sessions: Annette McNallan (ski instructor), Ellen Sundell (arts and crafts and yoga instructor), Karen Jenson (ski instructor), Heather Johnson (Massage Therapist), Bethany Niemela (Acupuncturist), Beth Helfter (yoga instructor), Priscilla Mohan (Sound Bath instructor)

Y She Skis Builds Community and Confidence in Its Third Year

This winter marked the third year of Y She Skis at Camp Ihduhapi and the first-ever Y She Skis weekend at Camp du Nord. Designed as a women’s ski retreat centered on wellness and community, the weekends brought together more than 50 women for time on the trails and space to rest, reflect, and connect.

Y She Skis is about more than cross-country skiing. It’s about creating an environment where women can build confidence, try something new, and support one another along the way. Each weekend blended outdoor adventure with restorative wellness experiences, offering ski lessons alongside activities like yoga, acupuncture, arts and crafts, sound bath, foam rolling, massage chairs, sauna sessions, tea ceremonies, and plenty of unstructured time to relax and enjoy camp.

Professional instruction helped participants sharpen their skills and grow in confidence on the trails. Annette McNallan led ski lessons, supported by fellow instructor Karen Jenson, meeting women wherever they were in their skiing journey.

Jennifer Northrup, Member Experience Specialist, reflected on the impact of the retreat:

“The community we are building through Y She Skis has become special and unique. There are so many meaningful moments and accomplishments that the women of Y She Skis achieved.”

For many participants, the experience was both empowering and deeply personal.

One woman shared:

“I just want to say thank you for a fabulous weekend. It was so well organized, and you had everything we needed. The food was great, and our accommodations were perfect. You breathed life into my desire to cross-country ski! I very much appreciated and value the instruction from Annette—she’s a great teacher. And most importantly… the camaraderie. I met several women who live in my neighborhood, and we have many of the same values and experiences. So fun.”

Another participant echoed the sense of encouragement and belonging:

“It was all about improving my skiing skills with the help and support of amazing teachers and Coach Ann. But also, the support and encouragement of the other women was both heart-warming and inspiring. I was so happy to soak up the positive attitudes and warmth of these amazing women.”

That spirit of warmth and support was made possible by a dedicated team of instructors and wellness leaders. In addition to Annette McNallan and Karen Jenson leading ski instruction, Ellen Sundell guided arts and crafts and yoga sessions; Heather Johnson provided massage therapy; Bethany Niemela offered acupuncture; Beth Helfter led yoga; and Priscilla Mohan facilitated sound bath experiences.

As Y She Skis continues to grow, so does the community surrounding it, women encouraging one another, building strength in body and spirit, and leaving camp not only as better skiers but as part of something meaningful and lasting.