A Switzerland Trip to Remember
Crystal Wright led Theresa Brunker, Katherine Dowson, Tracey Heilbrun, Sharee Moser, and Kim Hunt on the adventure of a lifetime; an unforgettable all-women ski touring trip through the Swiss Alps.
These amazing women share their experiences below…
For Theresa, the highlight came at the top of a tour to Schlittkuchen when she received a Babe Force patch after pushing through a congested day with encouragement and sparkly energy from Crystal. A powerful reminder that mindset and support can carry you farther than you think.
Sharee was struck by the Swiss Alps themselves, specifically the incredible engineering. As she put it, “the infrastructure is geared toward hiking in the summer, but also serves skiing in the winter and especially ski touring.” Skiing past tiny backcountry farms, hopping on unscheduled lifts and trams, and soaking up the simplicity of Swiss mountain culture made the adventure feel authentic and unforgettable. Ending each day in a hot tub or sauna didn’t hurt either.
Tracey highlighted the individualized coaching from Crystal, the camaraderie with an inspiring group of women, and the chance to sharpen technical skills. She especially appreciated having time and space to truly practice kick turns and crampon use.
For Kim, the highlight was the magic of shared experience. Being in the Swiss Alps with Crystal, Albi, and a group of women who could laugh and cry together made the trip unforgettable. From morning sparkles with Crystal to cheer squads for every uphill kick turn…and even a calf massage mid–skin during a cramp, “the encouragement and care brought deep joy. Standing atop ridges and summits delivered an undeniable rush, made even better by skiing boot-top powder instead of ice, and soaking in the charm of Swiss culture, architecture, and cozy interiors.”
Katherine put it simply, “I loved exploring the backcountry areas of Bonnalp and seeing the big views from the divide.”
It is clear to see that these women all had an amazing experience in the Alps with each other, their surroundings, and the excitement that each new day brought.
Crusty snow conditions tested Theresa’s skills, making ski crampons essential. Still, she felt fit and ready for the endurance demands of touring.
For Sharee, steep terrain and kick turns outside her comfort zone were the toughest moments. One long day brought on a bonk. Though, not from lack of fitness, but from fueling and anxiety. A nice reminder that preparation includes nutrition and mental strategies, not just physical strength.
Tracey faced a different challenge: resisting the urge to blame equipment when things felt off. She shared that it was, “a great opportunity to be tested and grow through those challenges,” and to recognize operator error instead of external excuses.
Kim’s biggest challenge was skinning uphill on icy, steep sidehills. Especially kick turns when ski crampons slipped and anxiety crept in. It became a mental battle, but a little rock-and-roll blasting from her pocket helped her push through the toughest spots. And, as she honestly noted, skiing and skinning bell-to-bell, day after day, definitely made her feel her age.
Katherine found that adjusting to the time change was the most challenging for her, but jet lag was not about to interrupt her fun! Although some rough patches, success and accomplishment cannot come without a few challenges!
Across the board, fitness was a major win. Theresa felt strong, slept well, and stayed well-fueled, which kept her muscles happy throughout the trip.
Sharee once again saw how consistent 2–3 weekly gym sessions translated directly into success on demanding days and tours.
Tracey appreciated a mid-camp rest day and credited strength training for excellent recovery despite 1,200–3,000 feet of uphill travel each day.
Kim admitted she had some concern going in about maintaining uphill strength and endurance all day, but those worries quickly faded. She felt strong, fully capable of keeping up with her crew, and confident in her abilities! Although she may have been a bit tired in the evenings, her muscular strength, endurance, and mental perseverance carried her to the top every time.
Katherine felt that she was well prepared from strength training at Wright, however she said that she “would have liked to have had more days on my skis before getting there.”
It’s clear that a strong foundation of nutrition, recovery, and consistent gym training played a crucial role in these ladies’ success and their unforgettable experience in the Alps.
This trip was a living example of how strength training builds confidence. Theresa shared that the stronger and more balanced she felt on skis, the calmer and more relaxed her mind became.
Sharee reflected that,”Places that I otherwise would not see in this life are available to me due to strength training and wonderful coaching.”
Tracey put it plainly: “There is no substitute for consistent strength training, especially when pursuing big mountain goals into your 60s and beyond.”
Kim felt that sentiment deeply. This trip, she said, This trip wouldn’t have happened without my commitment to Crystal and her expert coaching. She tailors my workouts to build strength in all the right places—and even managed my broken toe injury with care and support.”
Strength training isn’t just about performance. It is all about proper training, nutrition, preparation and belief that your body can do hard things.
Swiss chocolate and espresso emerged as a clear favorite! Especially when enjoyed on a high alpine saddle. Theresa and Sharee both agreed: “That combo might be heaven.”
Tracey, however, chose a different kind of fuel: “1,300 feet of bouncy powder turns on the backside of the Bannalp area. Yum, yum indeed.”
Kim’s ultimate snack was a thoughtfully curated combo of, “Swiss cheese, cucumbers, and salami on sourdough strategically plated from the breakfast bar and artistically flattened in my skin bag.” She also added, “and, obviously, Swiss chocolate, because it's a must that makes me happy.”
Katherine shared a similar enjoyment to Kim, as she also delighted in fresh bread and cheese sandwiches.
Together, their favorite alpine indulgences, whether sweet, savory, or powder filled, perfectly captured the flavor of their Swiss adventure.
Theresa loved the itinerary (especially the mid-trip spa day) and only wished she’d captured a photo of an epic arm-wrestling match.
Sharee and Katherine would practice kick turns on steep terrain ahead of time and fuel more aggressively on long days, but wouldn’t change the adventure itself for anything.
Tracey would arrive in Engelberg early to ski on-piste and shake out jet lag before camp.
Kim would consider bringing lighter skis next time. While her heavy setup felt great on the descent, it definitely slowed her on the climb.
This trip delivered both Type 1 and Type 2 fun! Joy in the moment and deep satisfaction in hindsight. The group was supportive, well-matched, and willing to embrace challenges with trust, humor, and care for one another. Most importantly, everyone showed up knowing they’d be okay, because they had done the work ahead of time with Crystal, in the gym.
This is Wright Training in action: building strong bodies and resilient minds through consistent training, long before stepping onto the skin track.
