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Do you have any cool spring or summer plans?  Here are a couple of options from NASTC to pump up your adventure quotient this spring and summer.

Mt. Shasta Trip:  How does skiing down one of California’s highest peaks sound for bragging rights? NASTC runs an annual trip up Mt. Shasta that includes a climb to the summit and then a ski down back to basecamp.  This is a one of a kind adventure, that is easily accessible, doesn’t require a flight to Kathmandu and two weeks of acclimatisation.  No mountaineering skills are required, we teach you all the basics you need to know.  Having some backcountry skiing and off-piste skiing experience is helpful but not essential.  This is a straightforward climb and ski, it is not a very technical ascent or descent. The trip is three days, the first two days are spent acclimatizing and learning and practicing basic mountaineering and ski touring skills.  The last day is the push to the summit and the ski back down.  Even if you are an experienced mountaineer and backcountry skier, this trip is still very rewarding as it is not often that you get to stand on a 14,000ft peak and then click into your skis and ski back down.  The trip dates are:  May 10-12.  Click here for more details.

Summer Dream Skiing – Portillo, Chile:  Ski weeks in Portillo are designed for you to ski, relax, let go of worry and enjoy this skiing experience as it is nowhere else in the world.  Portillo is a place free of commercial expansion and distractions; it is more like a mountain retreat than a ski resort.  There is no town, no shopping centers.  There is one big cheerful yellow hotel situated on the shore of the Inca Lake surrounded by mountain peaks.  With a 400 guest maximum, the resort is never over crowded.  You have all the space you need to take your skiing to the next level.  With no logistics to think about, you can completely focus on your skiing – one of the things that makes this camp so effective.  You will get lots of skiing mileage, personal feedback and coaching and an experience that will leave your friends back home wishing they had come with you.  Click here for more details.

Rockclimbing:  NASTC offers guided rockclimbing experience during, the spring, summer and fall!  You can expect the same high touch, high level experience with our rockclimbing program as you do our skiing programs.  We have exceptional guides who are highly experienced and charismatic, they are dedicated to making your rockclimbing experience extraordinary.  We offer full or half day guided private sessions at a number of climbing locations on Donner Summit.  We are fortunate that Donner Summit has an exceptional combination of high quality granite rock and stunning views.  Click here for more details.

 Other News:

Chris Fellows will be coaching at the annual Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) National Academy event.  Only exceptional coaches and educators are invited to be a part of the National Academy Staff.  This is a weeklong event, where ski instructors from around the country will gather at Snowbird for a weeklong college. 

April 11 – “Soddy Day”:  This is a commemorative annual local event held at Squaw Valley that is dedicated to the memory of Mike and Mariam Sodergren.  Mike Sodergren was one of the original co-founders of NASTC.  Mike and Mariam were not only fantastic coaches but they were also very influential in the progression of ski instruction within California & Australia and exceptional human beings.  Mike and ‘Mim’ were tragically killed during a mud slide accident in Thredbo in 1997, where they were working during the North American summer – the southern hemisphere winter.  This day is open to anyone who would like to attend, the spirit of the day is camaraderie and passion for the mountains.  A $40 donation is requested, the money goes to the Sodergren Scholarship Fund.  Please email us for details.

There are some ripping deals on skis and ski gear at the Start Haus ski shop, www.starthaus.com and Granite Chief, www.granitechief.com, both are located in Truckee. 

If you are nearing the end of your ski season, you should be thinking about prepping your skis for summer storage.  Make sure your bases are cleaned properly before putting on that summer storage wax coating.  The bases of your skis are like leather and require a similar care routine.  The bases of your skis are porous, they need to be cleaned and conditioned with wax to maintain optimal performance.