North American Ski Training Center – Tahoe, CA

Tag: Western Regional Team

  • Mammoth

    Just got back from a week down at Mammoth.  It is incredible how much snow there is over there.  Rather than walking down stairs to exit from the Gondola at the top of the mountain, you exit the building directly onto snow!  The sign that is normally 11ft plus at the top is buried except for the last two feet of it.  The skiing was incredible after it had softened up.  Thursday was the first day of skiing and a Western Regional Team training day.  The weather did not cooperate.  It was howling out, the snow never softened and it was overcast.  We spent most of the day on Chairs 10 & 2 until they closed the mountain at 3:00pm.  Friday was the first day of the PSIA-Western Division Annual Spring Convention, Although it was sunny, the temperatures never climbed high enough to soften the snow, the same was true for Saturday, though there was some good chalky snow on Dave’s, Dropout and Wipeout.  Sunday through Wednesday became progressively warmer and the overnight freeze with the daytime thaw created some really good corn snow.  Although lift access was limited we covered some terrain as everything was filled in.  Hangman’s is the easiest it had ever been.  The added bonus was being able to watch the “soon to be U.S Development Team” girls practicing and trying to earn a spot on the Dev Team.  Even though these girls were only 15 to 16 years old, they are ripping skiers and produce a good visual to hang onto.   You can stand right along side the training course and watch them go by, lap after lap.  After a great week down at Mammoth, no way are we ready to hang our skis up in the garage – we’re trying to figure out when is next time that we can get down there and do it all over again. 

  • 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.