IMHO, this was the best camp that I have attended (but then I've found that the most recent camp is always the "best"). FWIW, I've now been to five Harb Ski Systems camps (G/B, G/B, B/DB, B/DB, A-M) . [You would think that there would be a "law of diminishing returns" regarding repeated camp attendence, but I have not found that to be so. If anything, I have received greater value from each successive camp because I am increasingly better able to absorb/integrate/implement the coaching.]
I cannot compare this Big Sky A-M camp to other A-M camps since it was my first, but I can compare it to previous camps.
My personal goal in attending this camp was to extend my PMTS skiing from the groomers to off-piste conditions. Intellectually, I was aware that the PMTS techniques were applicable to the off-piste conditions. However, in off-piste conditions I found myself reverting to pre-PMTS survival behavior. I really wasn't sure how to ski off-piste other than simply thrusting myself into the terrain and hoping that I'd be able to "salvage" some PMTS techniques.
There were several advantages to this A-M camp as opposed to "going it alone".
First, I was better able to understand and evaluate off-piste conditions. I usually ski alone (no doubt a tribute to my personality
) and haven't skied much off-piste, so it is difficult for me to assess off-piste terrain. I found it valuable to have a coach with me who could point out the various issues associated with off-piste in general and a given slope in particular.
Second, similarly to the above, it was valuable to have a coach along who could assess the "do-ability" of a particular slope. Given my lack of judgement in this regard, I would be faced with either over-estimating the difficulty (and therefore not challenging myself enough) or under-estimating the difficulty (at best damaging my confidence, at worst putting myself at risk). I had complete faith in the coaches' judgement in this regard, so I didn't worry (OK, not nearly as much) about whether a slope was do-able.
As Harald mentioned, we alternated between learning and practice terrain, between less- and more-challenging terrain. Psychologically, this had a great effect because you *can* do a difficult thing if you believe that you won't have to do it forever.
Another thing different about the Big Sky A-M camp from other HSS camps is the amount of instruction, e.g., 5 days x 6 hours, versus 5 days x 3 hours or 3 days x 6 hours. Even though I am obviously in peak physical condition (<---joke), I had some pre-camp concerns about getting physically burned out. Diana reassured me that HSS was well aware of these issues and would be keeping an eye out for camper burnout. So, although there was inevitably a "gosh, I'm tired" day (Tuesday for me), I was satisfied with the overall exertion level.
I believe that the comaraderie at this camp was greater than at previous camps. Partially, this was due to the camp size (approx. 18 campers) as compared to larger camps (e.g., the December B/DB camp with approx. 46 campers). However, since were almost all -- campers and coaches -- staying in resort housing, it was more convenient to get together for apres-ski social activities. In addition, the coaches were "captive" as well, as opposed to leaving for home/shop at the end of the day. If I'm not mistaken, there were at least three get-togethers and at all I had a great time enjoying the company of the coaches and other campers.
So, if you're considering this camp, I would refer you to the
http://www.harbskisystems.com/events.htm web page: "Skiers must be comfortable on intermediate/advanced terrain, and must want to ski in ungroomed terrain, to attend".
Personally, I feel that I now have a plan for skiing off-piste terrain. In addition, my comfort-level has increased and I am looking forward to improving my new skills.
I had a great time at this camp and will be back next year.