Tag: ski clinics

  • Ski La Grave & the Southern Alps

    Ski La Grave & the Southern Alps

     

    La Grave & Southern French Alps
    A Glacier Skiing Adventure
    March 1-8, 2014

     

     
        
     
    If you had to choose one ski adventure for the whole season, this one would be it.  The Southern Alps are home to some of the top skiing destinations in Europe.  One of the biggest attractions besides the phenomenal skiing is the haunting beauty of the Southern Alps and the village of La Grave where will be staying for the week.  The ruggedness of the landscape and the tranquil beauty of this “kingdom of stone” that the town of La Grave has been nicknamed, cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. 

    Skiing in the Southern Alps is a different experience than the typical charming alpine villages that comes to mind when one thinks of skiing in Europe.  We will be skiing in the areas of Serre Chevalier, Alpes d’Huez, Les Deux Alpes and La Grave.  Skiing past blue glacier ice, winding your way on skis back to the village, having a top quality trainer to coach you and help you through the challenging areas, then finishing off the day sitting by the fire with drinks in hand re-counting the day’s adventures is an experience that will mark your skiing memories forever. 

    We will spend the week, exploring these different ski areas, working on the technical skills for off-piste skiing as well as tactics for negotiating various types of terrain and snow conditions.  The week will also include off-piste skiing excursions on glacier terrain where you will be coached and guided by seasoned professionals.

    What awaits you is big adventure, big fun and a unique venue that will stand out amongst all your other skiing experiences, because there really is nothing like having a fun, adventure filled day and watching the sun set on one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in the world.

    Includes:  double occupancy lodging (single upgrades available), breakfast & dinner daily, lift tickets, coaching & guide

    Visit www.skiNASTC.com or call 530. 582.4772 for more details.
    Check out our other adventures and camps in Snowbird, Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, and more.
  • Ski Tip: Pole Usage

    The function and correct use of our poles can seem as ambiguous as a politician’s speech.  Good pole usage complements and aids upper body movements in dynamic skiing.  Missing pole plants, poorly timed pole plants or directionally inappropriate pole swings can create dysfunctional elements in your skill set.  Diverse terrain requires attention to rhythm and strong core movements that are directed down the fall line.  The pole swing is timed with an extension move at the start of th turn, this aids in directing your momentum toward the apex of the turn.  As the pole is planted it helps stabilize your body as you change from the uphill set of edges to the downhill set of edges.  The pole swing should originate from the wrist and not the elbow.  As your turn shape changes, the direction and timing of your pole swing adjusts accordingly.  When skiing steep terrain and bumps your pole swing will directed more towards the fall line rather than the apex of your turn, your pole plant will happen as you pull away from the fall line and the skis turn across the hill.  Next time you are out on the hill think about the timing and directionality of your pole swing and plant and what it does to your rhythm and stabilization of the upper body.

  • 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!

  • 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

  • Gates & Freeskiing Camp at Mt. Hood

    Spring has finally sprung!  Blue skies and warm temps abound and the skiing is incredible.  Gotta love that California Corn snow!  We are going to let the cat out of the bag and let you know that we will be hosting a Spring Gates camp at Mt. Hood. NASTC will be bringing a group of clients to Mt. Hood for it’s first ever Adult Gates Training Camp, joining forces with Sugar Bowl’s Danielle Nichols and the Start Haus of Truckee.  Some of you might be thinking, “eh, I don’t race so I don’t need to do a gates camp.”  However, skiing through gates is one of the best things you can do for your skiing.  It is a great way to step-up your technique and become more comfortable and in-tune with how the skis perform.  Turning at precise points down a run helps with the timing and direction of your movements.  Notice how racers tend to be really good freeskiers also? Because they spend so much time in the gates working on being technically precise, they are able to transfer those skills to the off-piste seamlessly.   Food, lodging and coaching will be provided for.  The camp will be 5 days long at Mt. Hood which is the “go to” destination for freeskiers, racers and National Team members to get some training in before the summer season sets in.  The camp will take place mid-June – mark it on your calendar dso you can plan accordingly.  Please call the NASTC office 530.582.4772 for more information.

  • NASTC in Snowbird

    The NASTC group is assembling in Snowbird, skiers are arriving from both ends of the country. The NASTC Performance Skiing Camp will run starting tomorrow Jan 28 through Monday, January 31st.  Lead trainer is Richie Jameson, member of the Australian Demo Team.  Richie has just arrived back from representing Australia at the Interski symposium in St. Anton Austria.  The group will focus on developing the right moves and tactics for off-piste terrain and conditions.

  • Banzai Tour & NASTC Alpine Meadows Course

    Daron Rahlves’ Banzai Tour (sponsored by Sugar Bowl Resort) and the NASTC All Conditions/All Terrain course are both taking place at Alpine Meadows on January 23rd!  What a sweet “two for one” deal, an opportunity to get great coaching from the top instructors in the country, ski a great mountain and witness a one-of-a-kind event that incorporates the disciplines of big mountain skiing, downhill racing and skier-cross – guess that makes a “three for one” deal.   Alpine Meadows is the first stop of the Banzai Tour – which is a 4 person race through gates in off-piste terrain for a $10,000 prize purse.  The overall winner of the tour has the opportunity to win $50,000.  The legendary terrain of the Alpine Meadows’ Beaver Bowl presents a unique venue for Banzai competitors as it offers a lengthy run with lots of natural features to build a course through and make it exciting. Join us at the All Conditions/All Terrain at Alpine Meadows for three days of fun, excitement and great skiing and become inspired to push the limits of your skiing further by watching great skiers like Daron Rahlves navigate through challenging terrain pushing the boundaries of their own skiing. more>>

  • US Men’s Alpine Team in Val Gardena, Italy

    US Men’s Alpine Team has arrived in Val Gardena, Italy in preparation for the DH and SG races this weekend.  The first American to run is Andrew Weibrecht, 11th on the course.  Bode Miller will be starting 23rd after Carlo Janka, Aksal Svindal and Didier Cuche.  Ted Ligety will be starting 32nd followed by Truckee local, Travis Ganong, 36th in the starting order.  Ted Ligety will be one to watch as he is on fire with his second GS win in Val D’Isere.

    Val Gardena is well known on the World Cup circuit as one of the most challenging downhill courses.  NASTC will be visiting this renowned ski destination February 11-20.  Spots are still avaiable on this trip.  Come and ski with us at this world class resort, view the DH run first hand, maybe even make a turn or two on it!  NASTC will spend a week skiing and exploring this massive ski area – the largest in Europe thanks to the Dolomiti Superski network.  The Dolomites have a much different scenery than the traditional backdrop that we are used to seeing in the Alps, the rock that makes up this section of the Alps has a unique color changing  property.  This is certainly an adventure that shouldn’t be missed, it’s an opportunity to visit and ski a remarkable destination, experience the unique culture in this part of Italy, have fun ski adventures everyday, ski from village to village and witness your skiing improve with each day that we spend on the snow.

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