Looking to improve - opinions?

Stuart Craig is an excellent instructor. www.snowperformance.com

I've seen Gavin's groups (SnowPerformance) in action. Great program. BTW they are about the ONLY franchise instructors at Crystal. That being said I would submit that skiing well is a counter intuitive process. Those things that we instinctively do, rotate into the hill, push with the heels, hunch over in the bumps etc etc need to be replaced with skills that emphasize center of mass movements, fall line alignment and dynamic movements. These are not skills that transfer particularly well by trying to shadow one your heroes. That approach usually results in yard sales and carnage followed by feelings of incompetence and low self worth. (It is hard to feel good about a visit to the ER) It is never too late to sharpen ones skills. I get a real kick making laps with the FOGs at CM after lunch, some of these guys/gals are in their 70s with multiple joint replacements yet they still rip it up. Gives me a positive outlook on aging and falling gracefully.
that is all.

How about a "race camp/school"? I've never done it but have been considering it because the best skiers I've ever skied with all grew up on the race course. Obviously the technique running gates is different than in pow but the former racers I know are good all over the mountain. I think the speed builds confidence, demands precise technique, mental discipline and an aggressive attitude- not to mention being in physical shape.
Any thoughts from racers out there?

You have probably read material all about the proper ski techniques in countless snow conditions… now to actually train your body to do all that, pick out skiers with good technique on your lift rides up the hill and watch closely how they ski different areas/conditions, then attempt to duplicate that, with enough sick days (yes it takes an investment of sick days to get out on the slopes as often as possible) you’ll put that book knowledge into practice.  I’m a big advocate of “watch and do”.

Also recommend finding as much video footage on Doug Coombs on the net, and study “his” way of skiing (really, I’m not kidding  ).

How about a "race camp/school"? I've never done it but have been considering it because the best skiers I've ever skied with all grew up on the race course. Obviously the technique running gates is different than in pow but the former racers I know are good all over the mountain. I think the speed builds confidence, demands precise technique, mental discipline and an aggressive attitude-  not to mention being in physical shape.
Any thoughts from racers out there?

I grew up racing back east. Nothing like trying to ski fast on bullet proof ice to teach you good technique. But it is very different here in the deep, wet, heavy cement we get in the PNW. But yes, skiing fast in this stuff makes it easier and that is counter intuitive. I got my butt handed to me in the snow here. It was humbling and fun to need to learn to ski a new way. I needed to learn to ski more upright, unweight more dynamically and dodge trees more often. I agree with everyone else, the key is really mileage (ski lifts to get that), conditioning and the right gear.

I've seen Gavin's groups (SnowPerformance) in action. Great program. BTW they are about the ONLY franchise instructors at Crystal.

Gavin and his team are great. He runs one of the most respected coaching set ups in the country. A day with him last year completely changed the way I think about skiing - for the better.

He's a damn nice guy as well. Despite him being Scottish.