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A winter storm system that brought several inches to the area and frosty has kicked start the snowmaking and resorts here in Tahoe are close to opening.  Northstar is scheduled to open next week – November 18th! Though Mammoth Mtn. is open so looks like the season has begun!  By the way, this is a great time to have your equipment checked out, skis tuned and make sure your goggles and gloves are in good shape.  If you are in need of gear, the Start Haus will be having a Black Friday weekend sale. 

CONGRATULATIONS to the Start Haus for receiving The Best Boot Shop in the Country Award!!  Way to go Start Haus crew!

NASTC EARLY SIGN-UP DISCOUNT!! Register for any one of the international or Big Mtn & Powder skiing courses by December 1st and receive 10% off!!

There are only a couple of spots available on the Jumpstart Northstar/Squaw Valley course!  Don’t miss this opportunity to get in quality coaching and mileage before the heart of the ski season.  

All Conditions/All Terrain courses are a GREAT value this season.  Priced at $995, the course includes three days of skiing and coaching with the best instructors in the country and region, small student to instructor ratio, personal feedback, video review of your skiing, indoor presentations/discussions, lift tickets and a group dinner.  Courses are being held at Alpine Meadows – January 29-31, Squaw Valley – February 26-28 and Northstar – April 8-10.

Saturday, November 19th START HAUS is holding a FREE World Cup Tuning & Waxing Clinic by Willi Wiltz.
Willi is a former US Ski Team Olympic and World Cup Serviceman.  He has been the technician for Bode Miller, Tommy Moe and Daron Rahlves.  The clinic will go over hand tuning and waxing techniques followed by a Q&A session.  Please contact the Start Haus for more info: 530.582.5781. 
Where:  Larkspur Inn – Truckee
When:  Saturday, November 19th @ 6:00pm

The U.S Ski Team was officially presented in Vail this past Saturday, all the athletes from the development team to the A-Team were presented.  On the A-Team are:  Ted Ligety, Steve Nyman, Marco Sullivan, Bode Miller, TJ Lanning, Jimmy Cochran, Nolan Kasper, Tommy Ford and Andrew Weibrecht.  The Women’s A-Team includes:  Lindsey Vonn, Julia Mancuso, Stacey Cook, Alice McKennis, Sarah Schleper, Laurenne Ross and Leanne Smith. 

It’s on!  Lake Louise Downhill & Super G – November 26th and 27th, tune in and watch our U.S Ski Team Athletes in action!

U.S Ski Team Athlete Profile – Jimmy Cochran: Jimmy Cochran is one of the heralded �Skiing Cochrans.” His grandfather was U.S. head coach in 1974, his dad and three aunts were Olympians, and he�s got two cousins on the U.S. Ski Team. A nagging ankle injury during the 2011 preparation period ultimately led to an early trip home from the Team’s New Zealand camp and resulted in two surgeries but will have a full return to the 2012 World Cup season.  Cochran used the time to focus on his favorite project � running Cochran’s Ski Area, a family owned non-profit just south of Burlington, VT. The hill hosts an annual spring slalom that has quickly become a regional favorite as racers compete for small T-Bar trophies made by Cochran.  On skis at three, Cochran started racing at about seven at Cochran�s, the small area outside Burlington, VT, where his father and three aunts – all Olympians and U.S. champions – trained behind the family homestead. He eventually enrolled at Middlebury but left after his freshman year (in �02), enrolling at the University of Vermont (where his grandfather and father skied). He lit-up the eastern carnival circuit with eight victories during the 2003 season, finishing by capturing slalom silver and giant slalom bronze at the NCAA championships at Dartmouth College. He made the U.S. Ski Team with the 2004 season.

2012 Warren Miller movie, “Like There’s No Tomorrow,” is showing throughout the Bay Area and Lake Tahoe this month.  Watching the Warren Miller every year always revs the excitement for the season into high gear.  Watching some of skiing’s best athletes demonstrate their talent and showcase extraordinary mountain destinations all over the world will inspire you to ski your best this season.  If you are in the Reno area, you can catch the showing of “Like There’s No Tommorrow,” on November 19th at the Bobo’s Ski Fest. 

Training tip:  Sports drink vs. water? This is question is asked almost too many times.  Both are necessary and useful but it depends on the situation.  First question to ask yourself is how hard are you working out, or how much are you exerting?  A sports drink after a Yoga class? Probably not necessary, though after a Bikram class that might be a more appropriate situation for a sports drink.  If you work out for more than 60min then a sports drink will help hydrate and replenish the lost electrolytes in your body.  If you workout for a shorter length of time but at a high intensity then a sports drink is in order.  When wondering whether to reach for a sports drink or a tall glass of water, gauge your exertion level and look at how much sweat did you produce during the activity.  If it was a  hot day on the slopes and your helmet is soaked and your thermal moisture wicking layer can’t keep up so there’s steam coming off of you when you take off your jacket, a sports drink might be a good idea to help replenish your body.  Taking these two things into consideration can guide you to a better hydration choice. 

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