North American Ski Training Center – Tahoe, CA

Author: Ski NASTC

  • Portillo 2010 Slideshow

    NASTC’s 2010 trip to Portillo slideshow  https://skinastc.com/gallery/photo-galleries check it out!

  • Summer rockclimbing with NASTC

    As soon as summer gets here, we will have our full rockclimbing offering.  NASTC guides up on Donner Summit and offers private group or individual rockclimbing lessons and guiding for beginner through advanced climbers. Our guides are AMGA certified and know the area well, their goal is to provide you, your family and your friends with a safe and fun adventure.  Donner Summit has some of the best rockclimbing in the world.  It can accomodate every type of climber from single pitch to multi-pitch, easy introductory climbs to more technical pitches.  Rockclimbing is increasing in popularity every year, it is a great activity you can easily do with your kids and friend regardless of different ability levels.  Please give us a call or visit or website for rates. 

  • AMGEN Tour of California

    We were so excited to get front row seats to one of the most spectacular and prestigious cycling races – The AMGEN Tour of California.  It is considered cycling’s most important and successful stage race in the United States, and one of the most anticipated professional cycling races in the world.  This was the first time the tour has come to Lake Tahoe, the course changes every year and Lake Tahoe was added to this year’s event to increase the degree of difficulty and is to date the most challenging course that the tour has had. 

    The first stage of the tour included a start in South Shore followed by 1.5 laps around the lake and ending in Northstar.  Stage 2 was to start at Squaw Valley and end in Sacramento.  The Lake Tahoe community pulled out all the stops to welcome the tour, its athletes and spectators.  Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate.  After a week of balmy temperatures and lots of sunshine, there was a sudden spike in the temperatures and snowfall prevented the race from starting at either of its two Lake Tahoe locations.  There was much debate amongst officials of the tour as to whether the race should be cancelled, but the unpredictable weather this weekend posed a great risk to the riders’ safety.  AMGEN Tour of California officials said that Lake Tahoe would be considered again as one of the cities of the tour.  Let’s hope next time Mother Nature or Father Winter (whichever one is responsible ) doesn’t decide to rain (snow) on our parade.

  • Nutrition & Skiing

    We talk alot about physical training and how it is necessary for performance and longetivity in our sport and the important role it plays in injury prevention.  Another aspect of training that we tend to overlook is nutrition.  Nutrition has an equally important role in increasing performance, longevity and injury prevention.  With skiing our dietary habits change fwhether we are in Pre-season or Post-season and In-season.  We need to keep in mind how to fuel our body adequately to maximize the benefits.  One of the beliefs that works for me is “Clean Food,” this is my own title that I have given to minimizing processed foods out of my diet.  This has helped with monitoring my sugar and fat intake, if it is not naturally occurring sugar (like fruit or honey) then I don’t eat it.  Likewise with carbohydrates, if the grain is not in its natural state then I try to avoid it.  Thanks to spending the summer in Portillo last year, I now have a new appreciation for quinoa. Quinoa is an indigenous grain to Chile and they eat quite a lot of it.  When I am working out I try to increase my protein intake to help fuel muscle recovery, I try really hard to make sure that there is some source of protein in every meal that I eat.  Off-season nutrition is the easiest to manage – for me.  In-season nutrition I find is the hardest to manage.  As the temperatures drop we tend to crave those high in fat comfort foods.  The resort dining selections do not offer much in terms of healthy options.  I think the biggest mistake we make nutritionally during the season is the quantity and quality of how much we eat and how little we hydrate.  It’s easy to walk in to the resort’s cafeteria at lunch time, and grab a slice of pizza “because it’s quick,” or a burrito or a cheeseburger and fries – because your stomach is growling and these are the options that are put infront of you.  After wolfing down your food and soda, it’s hard to even think about going outside and skiing much less ask your body to perform optimally.  We don’t need to eat that much at lunch and we very likely need to double our intake of fluids (the hydrating kind).  The point is, we have to pay better attention to what we eat in season and off-season to solicit the best performance from our bodies, reduce our risk for injury and increase our longevity in the sport.  Consult a local nutritionist to put together a plan that is best for your body and needs.

    By Kim Mann – NASTC Trainer & Western Regional Team Member

  • Daydreaming about Portillo……..

    Counting down the days till we are in sunny and snowy Portillo.  That place is so much fun, it’s a wonderland for skiers.  If you like to ski and you like to have fun, this is where you need to go this summer.  We can hardly wait to ski under the brilliant blue Andean sky, miles and miles of terrain infront of us with the breathtaking Lago del Inca as a backdrop.  The skiing at Portillo is just downright fun, there is a level of challenge for everyone.  Even the thought of riding up the Rocajack or Cara Cara lifts make you want to chuckle.  Then there is the delicious food and of course dessert.  Portillo has some of the best ice cream around in unique delicious flavors like, Lucuma, Maracuja, Chirimoya, and Manjar.  And there is the ‘mil hojas’ cake that is sooo good.  It’s a good thing we ski everyday otherwise we’d be in trouble.  One of the fun things to do is hit the bar after dinner, when the band starts playing and watch the place go off.  If the band is particularly good, you will get people dancing on the tables, the windows will steam up and it’s a good time whether you jumping in on the action or just watching it.  Then there is the disco, which can be hit or miss, it kinda depends on the crowd.  Don’t miss out on La Posada if you want to an authentic cultural experience.  The bbq’s in the Posada are always a great way to start the night.  Everyone’s favorite spot is Tio Bob’s.  What is there to not love about this place.  When the sun is out, you can sit outside and take in the phenomenal view.  The salads up there are the best!  The best part about Portillo……the people!  Everyone is so friendly and you get to meet some of the nicest and coolest people.  You don’t miss summer one bit while you are there, if you do, just head down to the pool (it’s heated) or hot tub with a beverage and you’ll forget just about everything.  C-H-I….Chi L-E….Le, chi, chi, chi, le, le, le VIVA CHILE!

  • U.S Ski Team @ Portillo

    Great news!!  The U.S Ski Team is going to be in Portillo at the same time that NASTC will be there.  This is big!  How awesome will it be, to watch U.S skiing icons in action.  Talk about great visuals… 

    With the intimate setting of Portillo, there is a good chance that you can meet some of these guys and gals.  You may even find yourself on the exercise bike right next one of them, or sitting next to them in the pool or sauna.  It is inspiring to watch these athletes as their training, you can get right up next to the course and watch how they move into the turn and how they tip the ski and more.  The cool thing about it, is after you have that great visual in your head, you can turn around and ski it and the NASTC coaches will be right there next to you pointing out what to watch for and giving you feedback as you try to incorporate the same moves into your skiing.  It is an exceptional bonus to be able to watch these world class athletes training right infront of you. 

    See you in Chile!

  • Mammoth

    Just got back from a week down at Mammoth.  It is incredible how much snow there is over there.  Rather than walking down stairs to exit from the Gondola at the top of the mountain, you exit the building directly onto snow!  The sign that is normally 11ft plus at the top is buried except for the last two feet of it.  The skiing was incredible after it had softened up.  Thursday was the first day of skiing and a Western Regional Team training day.  The weather did not cooperate.  It was howling out, the snow never softened and it was overcast.  We spent most of the day on Chairs 10 & 2 until they closed the mountain at 3:00pm.  Friday was the first day of the PSIA-Western Division Annual Spring Convention, Although it was sunny, the temperatures never climbed high enough to soften the snow, the same was true for Saturday, though there was some good chalky snow on Dave’s, Dropout and Wipeout.  Sunday through Wednesday became progressively warmer and the overnight freeze with the daytime thaw created some really good corn snow.  Although lift access was limited we covered some terrain as everything was filled in.  Hangman’s is the easiest it had ever been.  The added bonus was being able to watch the “soon to be U.S Development Team” girls practicing and trying to earn a spot on the Dev Team.  Even though these girls were only 15 to 16 years old, they are ripping skiers and produce a good visual to hang onto.   You can stand right along side the training course and watch them go by, lap after lap.  After a great week down at Mammoth, no way are we ready to hang our skis up in the garage – we’re trying to figure out when is next time that we can get down there and do it all over again. 

  • One of the Best Days of the Year!

    The skiing out there is unreal!! Probably one of the best spring skiing days ever! Hands down.  The mountains are buffed out and smooth and the snow is just right.  Get out there and make some turns you will feel like rockstar.  You can go just about anywhere as the coverage is great and the conditions are so forgiving.  If you are backcountry buff, there is a gold mine out there – have fun!

  • The Swiss Machine

    Check out this video of Swiss alpinist, Ueli Steck a.k.a The Swiss Machine.  This guy is a genuine bad a**! It is always inspring to see athletes pushing the limits and breaking boundaries.  You have to admire their passion and determination.  The first video is of his record breaking ascent of the Eiger – 2hr 47min.  Note that he is free climbing, no ropes, just ice axes and crampons!  The second video is an interview with Ueli, how he prepares for his climbs and what drives him – pretty cool!

    Ueli’s latest achievement……On April 17, 2011 Ueli reached the summit of Shisa Pangma in 10.5 hours!!!  Read the article for more details.  http://www.examiner.com/climbing-in-national/ueli-steck-successfully-solo-climbs-shisha-pangma-8000-meter-peak-10-5-hours

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-dPjDYVKUY

  • A Great Article on Portillo

    Here is a great article that sums up the Portillo experience albeit it was written a few years ago.  The essence of what it is like to visit Portillo is difficult to capture as Portillo “hits” everyone differently.  http://www.everettpotter.com/2006/07/summer_skiing_i/