Athlete-Centered Coaching Method

NASC coaches are some of the best in the industry. They are all are trained in the “athlete-centered” coaching model. This modern method of coaching allows the coach to quickly identify each individual athlete’s motivation, understanding, and movements. The coach can then custom tailor a ski training program to facilitate the athlete’s motivation, understanding, and movements matching their teaching style to each athlete’s individual learning style.

The athlete-centered coaching model creates a highly-effective learning partnership between the athlete and the coach. Athlete-centered coaching utilizes the movement pools that are used in skiing, quickly isolates skill deficiencies in the athlete, and builds progressions to develop the inefficient skill.

We use modern U.S. Ski Team fundamental tactics and techniques to develop a proper strategy and line in the racecourse. We can do a comparative video analysis to compare both tactics and techniques of each athlete.

Individualized Ski Training

NASC is unique because we keep the ski groups small, allowing us to individualize the coaching program for each athlete. A 6-to-1 athlete-to-coach ratio (maximum) allows us to meet the individual needs of each athlete. The athlete-centered teaching methodology combined with a low athlete-to-coach ratio allows the ski camp coaches to develop an individual focus for each athlete rather than just a group focus.

Challenging Ski Training Terrain Designed for Safety

NASC has four private ski training areas (two steep lanes and two flatter lanes) that are meticulously prepared and salted to maximize quality for gate training. Because we use four different training lanes, we can get each athlete on terrain that will maximize their performance.

All NASC courses and gate drills are set by our FIS-level coaches and allow the athletes to maximize ski performance. We use special terrain configurations to challenge the athlete’s balance without having to use steeper terrain. NASC has the Mt. Hood snowcat drivers custom-build rollers at GS distance (25 meters), and we run GS and Slalom in the rollers to develop proper movement patterns.

NASC uses more salt than any other camp to ensure a quality, safe training experience. We often use more than 40,000 pounds of salt in our surface preparation.

Integrated Approach to Ski Camp Training

NASC coaches are teachers. We use modern gate progressions (easier to more difficult) to maximize proper movement patterns. We also use drills and skill development progressions to build each of the primary movements (skills). We then integrate the newly developed skills back into the athlete’s technique. In the evenings, we watch tactical lectures with video analysis and may rollerblade in gates to practice what we have learned. From there, we take it to the hill and work on tactics via free-skiing and then hitting brushes and gates.