The current activity list for a new weekend getaway at Kirkwood Mountain Resort reads like Lake Tahoe’s greatest hits — summer edition. Backpacking, kayaking, mountain biking, paddleboarding, rock climbing, yoga, hiking and trail running are among the options for attendees to the all-female Outessa Summit Aug. 19-21.

The REI-sponsored event will offer more than 200 classes and experiences led by female guides and athletes that attendees will be able to pick and choose from to create their own experience. Learning new outdoor skills or sharpening existing ones will be a focus of the event, but it won’t skimp on fun, said Julia Stamps Mallon, the co-founder and vice president of business development for Outessa.

Mallon offered two sources of inspiration behind the development of Outessa — her group of trail-running friends and fellow moms.

A dedicated trailer runner, Mallon realized there is a special connection between herself and her group of running friends.

“When you’re able to get out there with your girlfriends there’s a different kind of bond that’s formed,” Mallon said.

She also realized that, after coming back from adventures with her two young daughters, there are barriers to people experiencing certain recreational pursuits if they aren’t exposed to the outdoors early on in life.

“Parents would always say to me, ‘I would do this if I knew how,’” Mallon said.

More than 20 of REI Outdoor School’s female instructors will partner with brands to host programming during the weekend. Instructors at the Kirkwood Outessa are also set to include Olivia Hsu (yoga/rock climbing), Quinn Brett (yoga/rock climbing), Heidi Wirtz (rock climbing), Stevie Kremer (trail running/rock climbing) Magdalena Boulet (trail running) and Anna Levesque (kayaking/SUP/yoga).

But beyond a weekend of outdoor pursuits, tasty meals and a little wine, Mallon said she hopes the women who attend Outessa are able to take away something more.

“My hope is that this group of women are able to establish a community,” Mallon said. “My hope is that they find that and they want to continue that.”

A low instructor-to-attendee ratio will bolster individual attention, Mallon said. Kirkwood was selected because of it provides access to a variety of outdoor recreation, and it’s off-the-beaten-path location will provides a gorgeous locale that will foster the Outessa community, she added.

The costs of the weekend is $749 and includes the selection of workshops and activities, meals, wine and beer throughout the weekend and reduced fees on lodging. The price includes $225 worth of gear and entry into giveaways for equipment like mountain bikes and kayaks, Mallon said.

Outessa will also hold a Summit at Utah’s Powder Mountain Sept. 9-11.

Space is limited to 500 women per location.

More information is available at http://outessa.com.