North American Ski Training Center – Tahoe, CA

Tag: Mike Rogan

  • Michael Rogan & U.S Ski Team

    Looks like the U.S Women’s Ski Team has garnered a little help from PSIA.  While at their annual “Back to Basics” camp at Mammoth, U.S women’s speed Head Coach, Chip White enlisted help from PSIA National Alpine Team Captain, Michael Rogan.  Michael helped design a number of drills for the athletes to help the athletes better deal with terrain changes.  US Ski Team members, Stacey Cook, Leanne Smith, and Laurenne Ross were some of the few athletes that participated in the camp  “It’s really important to have his perspective,” added White. “He’s been with PSIA for over 15 years and captain of the Demo Team for eight of those years. The drills he created are incredible and we’ve already seen progress. Leanne Smith for example was making awesome position changes over terrain later in the camp.”
     Another outcome of the camps was a number of new warm-up routines were developed for athletes to use prior to training and races.

    The U.S Men’s Team is now at Mammoth at their own spring training camp.

  • 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!

  • 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!

  • 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/

  • Zeb’s Most Recent Eastern Sierra Adventure

    Zeb’s Most Recent Eastern Sierra Adventure

    NASTC guide Zeb Blais at the top of East Peak, with Mt. Gibbs in the background

    Wind ripping across Dana Plateau and deposting snow on the eastern flanks of East Peak

  • Freeski Training Center in La Parva, Chile

    From The Ski Channel: http://www.theskichannel.com/news/skinews/20110414/World-class-freeski-training-center-to-be-built-in-La-Parva-Chile

    “With the latest announcement from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approving men’s and women’s Ski Halfpipe for the 2014 Olympics, La Parva is on the forefront of building the ultimate training facility to be ready June 2012. 

    It’s location in the heart of the Andes mountains and provides excellent snow conditions from June through October, creating an ideal off season training destination for Northern Hemisphere athletes. The resort has begun the process with the addition of the new high speed “Fabres” chairlift that gives access to five new on piste runs and will be fully operational by 2012. This sector is the prospective location for the new halfpipe and freestyle training area.

    In addition to on snow training facilities La Parva expects to build an exclusive “Athlete Lodge,” that encompasses all aspects and needs of today’s elite athletes. Dry land training area, media rooms where teams can review footage of training runs, and cafeterias for team meals. This facility will be a complete on and off snow destination where teams can harness the skills they need to be the best in their sport.”

    It is great that the South American resorts are stepping up and starting to stake a bigger claim in the snowsports industry.  An investment of this sort is also proof of the growing global popularity of skiing and snowboarding.  Events like the X-games and Olympics are offering these sports and athletes some global exposure.  It is also making skiing and snowboarding more attractive to younger generations as it provides them with an outlet for creative expression. 

  • Winter season wind down

    The sun sits higher in the sky, the air is warmer, birds are chirping and the snow around town is melting really fast.  These are all the signs that Spring is definitely here and Winter is on its way out.  In previous years, most people would already start wearing flip flops and shorts but this year Mother Nature is keeping us guessing.  One day it’s sunny and warm and the next day looks and feels like a mid-winter storm.  After a delightful winter season filled with almost innumerable powder days, most people are exhausted with skiing.  It’s understandable when the Spring temps climb and the snow gets extremely mushy by 1:00pm, the idea of sweeping off the deck and firing the barbecue is more inviting then fighting that stop and go feeling when you’re skiing the afternoon slush.  Though, a day spent with good friends and great snow conditions can re-energize one’s mind toward skiing. Spring is a great time to reel things in and focus on your technique and spend some time re-working those basic skiing fundamentals.  There is hardly anyone out there and you are no longer charging for those big lines like you did when there was pow on the ground which gives you more time, patience and focus.   You don’t need to spend the whole day out there  just a few hours is all you need.  If you are wondering how to afford skiing a few hours – take advantage of the Spring pass deals that the resorts are offering.  Alpine Meadows has one of the greatest deal $99 Spring pass followed by Squaw Valley with a $199 Spring pass.   We are lucky this season to have such a solid snowpack that the conditions on the slopes are excellent, there are no melt through spots, rocks are still covered by the 500 inches of snow that sit on top of them.  Sometimes Spring skiing can be depressing because all the brown spots start appearing and the run keep shrinking but not this year.  Take advantage of the warm weather and the great snow to get some focused practice in before you hang your skis up for the summer.

  • PSIA-W Convention

    PSIA-Western Divison will be holding it’s annual convention at Mammoth April 29th to May 1st.  Chris Fellows will be heading down there to present Total Skiing to the membership.  Convention is an education event, where instructors from all over  the state of California will assemble and participate in on-snow clinics for three days.  It’s a great event, because the energy his high, everyone is game to learn and ski and you see familiar faces that you might not get to see otherwise.  The event also gives the membership an opportunity to get together and get to know one another off the snow and form stronger bonds and relationships.  The event will also host Mike Rogan, Mike Hafer , Richie Jameson and Robin Barnes as guest clinicians.  We are proud to be members of such a strong division and organization.