Montana's [R56R, Blacktail Mountain] is launching four new inexpensive workshops this winter - all for adults. Three of the programs are for women, and all are designed for skiers. "We're trying to offer something special for adults who don't often take lessons," Snowsports Education Director Jessi Spencer told Onthesnow.com.

Most of the programs are designed for intermediate and advanced skiers as well as those who have skied just a few times, but they aren't for first timers.

Two women's workshops, costing $50 each, concentrate instruction over a weekend. The Women's Swing into the Season Jan. 17-18 focuses on those early season kinks. "A lot of people take a lesson at the beginning of the season to get back on snow," said Spencer. "This workshop will offer several different skill levels for returning to skiing." The Women's All Mountain Alpine Workshop will take place Feb. 14-15. It's geared more for intermediates and up, and participants will choose between a series of different specialized clinics within the workshop. The course fee for each of these sessions includes Sunday's lunch at Muley's.

A third women's workshop costing $20 is scheduled for Mar. 14. The one-day Women's Spring Fling targets those special spring conditions such as corn snow and moguls.

The one-day Men's All Mountain Alpine Workshop, scheduled for Feb. 14, covers all aspects of alpine skiing in a series of specialized clinics. Participants choose what clinics meet their needs. The workshop costs $20.

All workshop classes, taught by certified ski instructors, run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a break for lunch. All of the workshops also offer a $20 lift ticket for participants. Call 406-844-0999 for further information and registration.

"If we have success with this, we'll perhaps add snowboarding next year," added Spencer.