• Latest testimonials from Portillo 2008

Thoughts on December Camp

Of everything, I was most impressed by the care you and your staff have put into developing the Clendenin Ski Method. I've run enough programs in my own career to know that a successful result requires a huge amount of work upfront that the client never sees. It's clear to me that you and your staff have put in this effort, and it shows in the Camp experience. You have developed an integrated, teachable, and most importantly, a learnable program that will greatly benefit any skier willing to put in the necessary effort in their own behalf.

As an aside, I was up on my local mountain a few days before Christmas in a storm that had dumped 8-10 inches of powder on the slopes. I'd always had trouble initiating the turn in this much powder, and now I know why: the stem don't work in powder! But touch and tip worked great! I found myself entering turns effortlessly and blasting down the trail having so much fun that I totally forgot my intention to spend some time working on the Keys and just gave myself up to the joy of the conditions that day. It was one of my best ski days ever, and it wouldn't have happened without my Camp experience.

Allen Gutheim, December 2008 camp

 

From a Portillo Camper...

I learned more in one day of skiing with you and your staff than I have in 25 years of skiing. Your method combined with the expertise and attitude of you staff is unsurpassed. It allowed me to acquire the techniques to ski steep bumps anywhere in a short period of time. I had tried in the past to teach myself how to ski bumps to no avail. It would always end up with utter frustration, bruises, and no desire to continue to try. To put it in another light it was like what Mike Tyson said during an interview before an up coming fight, “everybody’s got a plan until you get hit”. You and your team, with its very hands on approach showed me and others exactly how to handle conditions that you might not always plan for in skiing. By pushing us to the edge of our comfort zone with your new techniques it allowed me to surpass the old comfort zone and move into a new level competence and confidence.

Chris Evans, Portillo, September 2008 camp

A work of art

I have read 8-10 pages of the latest edition of the book, and I know already this is a great, and I do mean great, success.

I always viewed the draft I read a couple of years ago as akin to the first voyage of Christopher Columbus. You believed the voyage would be successful and would bring great riches, but the vessel was somewhat awkward, not altogether up-to-date, and faced some rough seas. Not so here, compadre. This IS a work of art. The ideas are as strong as ever, but now they are conveyed with the same seamlessness and beauty that you use to describe the technique of the great skiers.

I know great writing when I see it, and I'm seeing it in this Oct 08 draft. The manner of expression is so fluid, so clear and so consistent that I found myself going back to admire the effort a second time after having read several paragraphs. The content and message has always been good, but here I was taken by the great style, and that's not something I say lightly or often. It's the difference between good and great. I can't wait to finish the rest...

Kelly, December 2008

 

 

I now want to be good enough to ski off piste

I would like to say that the Portillo trip was a truly amazing experience for me. I think the magnitude of all that I experienced there did not become apparent until I was home. I am now telling my friends not only that I can not wait to go skiing again, but more importantly, for me to feel that desire is more than I would have ever thought possible. And now I have a new goal - I actually want to be good enough to be skiing off piste , not just staying on the groomed slopes! I am so appreciative of John for all the time, thought, care, and expertise he has put into his program. It is truly a gift to enable people to experience such pleasure in skiing. There are not adequate words to express my thanks to John, and the entire staff for making this so incredibly special.

Susan, October 2008

 

 

Once mastered is incredibly effortless

I really enjoyed skiing with John; your unique method is superb; I have been skiing for over 45 years and have never had two days like I had with you!! The "Clendenin Method" is quite unique and once mastered is incredibly effortless, especially taught by such great guys! Congratulations! I look forward to visiting (and skiing) with you next winter in Aspen

Bob, March 2007

 

 

My expectations were more than exceeded

John, I wanted to thank you again for the wonderful time that I had in Aspen during both of the lessons and the camp. My expectations were more than exceeded with the lessons on Monday and Tuesday. I think I was pretty tired by the weekend and don't feel like I was as consistent as I was on Tuesday, but I still learned a tremendous amount and will continue to read the book and practice as much as I can.

Bud, February 2007

 

 

Another transforming ski experience

I just returned from my second Clendenin Method Camp (Feb 3-4, 2007) and I wanted to thank you and your staff for another transforming ski experience. Each time I attend the camp my skiing improves, and most importantly it's hard to wipe the smile off my face. For weeks afterwards I am insufferable, telling all of my ski friends how great bumps are, and why weighting the uphill ski is the only way to go. Your instructors are encouraging, resourceful, enthusiastic, and a blast to ski with and learn from (thanks Lisa and Steve). The individual attention and low student/instructor ratio is remarkable, it feels more like a private one on one than a group camp. You run your business with great respect for your clients - honoring our investment of time and money with your focus on our improvement and positive expereince. You deliver a rare product - highly professional, incredibly effective, and downright fun. I can't wait to come back.

Bud, February 2007

 

 

What was most satisfying about your Clendenin Method experience

The ability of the instructors to relate complicated issues in simple language and the dramatic improvement for all of us in just one day.

Learning the technique for skiing from the feet up. Most other programs have unclear concepts described by vague language. John has the ability to teach in understandable terms that make sense. At no point is there anything taught that has to be "unlearned" later as the skier advances.

John's method really helped get me on skis quickly. In fact I stopped skiing about 20 years ago beasue it was so difficult. John was absolutely fabulous in teaching me how to ski, His personality is fun so it makes the whole process so much easier. He also does everything first classs and has all the details under control. In short, it's fun, easy and you are skiing in no time.

Having real professionals teach a system that not only makes sense, but works on the first day. Everyone is accomodating and makes each skier fell special and are good at building confidence. Plus John, Bill, Garth, and Steve are very handsome, very smooth and a lot of fun.

2007 Campers

 

 

Thanks for the... everything

After years of attempting to improve my level of skiing without success, I finally believe I can actually improve - I'll take the Clendenin Method with me. Comfort on all terrain is sooo different. Great coaches all. John - you make getting better fun - thanks so very much. Small groups give lots of individual attention

Nanci, March 2006

 

 

Almost as good as sex

The enthusiasm of the instructors, John's personality is infectious. I learned more in the last two days than I thought possible. The camp surpassed my wildest expectations. I now love bumps - almost as good as sex.

Mario

 

 

You really deliver the goods

Unlike so many pretenders, you really deliver the goods. Your theory works, the simulator is extremely effective, and the instruction top notch. And beyond all you foster progress through humor and your commitment

 

 

5-star camper testimonial

February 9, 2006

Hi John,
 
I know you know I am your Camps biggest fan but you need to hear it from the horse’s mouth once in awhile.
 
You, your coaches & staff offer the finest ski instruction of any resort area and we as students feel very fortunate to have the benefit of your personal attention and the benefit of your years of instruction refinement as reflected in the Clendenin Method and your camps.
 
As you know I have attended many camps over a period for many years. I must congratulate you on your continual search for excellence and improvement in the camp format. You indeed have succeeded. The past two camps have been the Best for me and of course I hear the scuttlebutt and the consensus of opinion is you are doing a great job! Sometimes it is not easy to absorb all of the intricacies of the camps for coach & student but we recognize you as an inspiring enthusiastic dedicated skier coach seeking to share your in depth understanding of the sport with those of us wishing to improve our skills. We do appreciate your ‘putting’ up with us…we are very concentrated & focused throughout the camp and do not always perform at our best. But our common goal is the same; that of Improvement.
 
So …a short note of THANKS to you, John! A difficult job, well done!
 

Best,
David