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.
Tag: Total Skiing
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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.
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An Interview with Chris Fellows, Pittsburgh Post Gazette
An interview with Chris Fellows on his book Total Skiing in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette
“Total Skiing” offers a variety of on-snow and off-snow drills and training programs for each type of skier that “will deliver big paybacks in performance and will increase the fun factor on the slopes.”.
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Early Season Jumpstart
Dates: December 3-6, 2014
Location: Northstar
Skier levels: 6-9
Price: $1195 (includes lift tickets)
This course is designed to boost your confidence levels and dial in the technique that you need to ski hard the rest of the season. Creating a strong technical platform at the start of the season will help you ski better throughout the season. In addition to your skiing technique your coaches will assess your equipment and dryland training needs to make sure they are the best fit for you and your goals. We are looking forward to kicking off the season with you.
Below is an initial itinerary for the course including a suggested equipment and clothing packing list. This schedule may change slightly based on the group or weather. We will provide you with an updated itinerary as we get closer to the start of the course. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the NASTC office 530.582.47.72
ITINERARY
Wednesday, December 3:
Meet in the village for a brief introduction then head up the gondola together as a group. We will do a few warm up runs and then divide into groups. This day is about getting your feet back underneath you, finding your balance and warming into the first day of skiing. In the afternoon we will review the video footage of your skiing taken during the day.Thursday, December 4:
Your trainer will let you know whether you will meet in the village or at the mid-mountain lodge. Once your group is assembled you will head up the hill for another full day of skiing and coaching. You will continue to work on fundamentals and making corrections to your technique.Friday, December 5:
Meet up with your trainer and group and head up the chairlift for full day of skiing and coaching. As you continue to strengthen your technique and correct ineffective movement patterns you will work on blending skills for overall ski performance. Group dinnerSaturday, December 6:
The last day of skiing with your group and coach. Things that you have been working on will start to come together, this day is dedicated to reinforcing your learning and getting lots of personal feedback. At the end of the day, we will say goodbye as everyone departs for home.On the first day of the course Wednesday, Dec 3rd, we will meet at 8:30am in the Starbucks at Northstar Village. Please be dressed in your ski gear
Directions:Take Interstate 80 to Hwy 267 South, Northstar is roughly 10 miles south on Hwy 267 from Truckee. Take a right at the light, entrance to Northstar and follow the road all the way to the resort.
Meals:
We will eat lunch together at one of the on-hill dining venues each day. If you want, you could also pack a bag lunch each day instead – just let your trainer know so he or she can plan accordingly.Group Dinner: Friday, Dec 12th: 6:30pm (included), Location: TBD
Lodging:
For lodging in Truckee, we recommend The Cedar House Sport Hotel. Contact the The Cedar House Sport Hotel directly to make reservations at 530-582-5655 and mention that you are with NASTC when making your reservation. 530-582-5655 or www.cedarhousesporthotel.com.There is also lodging located in the village at Northstar. Please call Northstar central reservations at 1 800 466 6784 or email [email protected]
Transportation: If you need to fly in, the closest airport is the Reno-Tahoe International airport. If you are renting a car, we suggest reserving a 4-wheel drive vehicle. If you do not wish to rent a vehicle, we suggest North Tahoe Executive Shuttle, 866.583.7685 or North Lake Tahoe Express at www.northlaketahoeexpress.com or 866-216-5222. Please inquire with us about carpooling opportunities.
The following list may help you pack: This list serves only as a guide and is not a complete list.
Alpine skis, boots, and poles
Helmet
Thermals (tops & bottoms)
Ski socks
Midlayers (moisture-wicking)
Fleece layer, top
ski pants & jacket
Ski gloves
Warm hat, baseball cap, headband, facemask, and neck warmer
Goggles and sunglasses
Evening clothes: pants, collared shirts, sweaters, shoes, sweats, slippers
Toiletries, including SUNSCREEN & chapstick with SPF, pain relievers, body lotionPlease remember that the balance of the course is due 30 days prior to the start of the course. If you have a balance due, please contact the NASTC office to settle your balance 530.582.47.72.
V1DIGITAL COACHING SYSTEMS:
NASTC’s MOST IMPORTANT TAKE HOME TEACHING TOOL: V1
Here is the way to get the most out of your NASTC course: you will literally take your ski course “home” with you. After all that your trainer tells you on the snow, you need to take something home to keep it all fresh on your mind. NASTC’s technology partner for this cutting edge teaching tool is V1 Digital Coaching Systems. This program will allow you to see your video on a secure website, a virtual “locker.” You will be able to look at your video at your leisure with skiing analysis and tips from your trainer. The trainer does voice over critiques and offers drills to improve your skills. You can log on anytime you want to remind yourself what you are working on. You can use this system for multiple courses to see your progress and continue to receive expert coaching and tips in-between your NASTC courses. You can even send us video your friend or spouse shoots, we will give you coaching and send it back to your locker room for you to view and learn from. Sign up for this take-home bonus feature prior to your course by contacting the NASTC office.Chris Fellows’a books Total Skiing and Tactics for All-Mountain Skiing are available for purchase through NASTC. The books are great learning tools that compliment what you learn in The North American Ski Training Center’s on-hill curriculum. They are a companion to the NASTC methodologies and instruction received at our camps. The clinics and books were designed to give you the ultimate ski training resources that tie your on snow experience together with view at home learning materials. It is a specific learning tool that will serve as a reference and reminder of the course content. Please call the NASTC office to order 530.582.4772.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give us a call. We love hearing from you! See you soon!
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NEW WEBSITE!
Welcome to our new website! We are very proud of it and know that it has long been overdue. Please visit for a while and check out all the new features that we have added.