I hope all is well and that you’re ramping into the Spring season. Again, if you have any athletes, (and 2nd year U14’s wanting to get into a scored race) headed to Whiteface this weekend and need representation, let me know. I’ve copied Mark Colman as well in this missive, since the Whiteface races might be a great opportunity to “score” that last …four races of the season!!! The GS is scheduled for Saturday, first race kicks off at 9am, followed by the 2nd run….2nd GS race starts at 12:30pm. Speed dating, but again a great opportunity to compete, and for the 2nd year U14’s…a chance to gain a point profile before they become 1st year U16’s, which means starting way, way up at their first race in 2019-2020 season in December.

Anyway and as discussed, I wanted to pitch you on the camp options for Catamount kids for the summer, and I guess Thanksgiving as well.

I’ve taken the liberty to attach the camp message I sent to my athletes and families earlier this winter (at the bottom). I’ll send you a few additional emails sent to the athletes and parents as to the pre-camp, get-your-mind around type of training that helps prep the kids so they can immediately get the most out of the camps.

By and far, US Elite Camps are the best options I see for any athlete, and family. I’d met Edry (Camp Director) when I’d been hired as a U16/14 coach at SMS, yet coming from Rocky/Central, I didn’t know him at all. Through the years, and now that I’m at Berkshire School, Edry’s camps are by and far above “most” insofar as what the athletes’ receive, and the governance in the care, custody and control of someone else’ children. Edry has developed a process which is akin to what we provided at the academy level insofar as a learning process, wrapped in a totally awesome summer camp feel.

Most camp coaches are static on the hill, usually hanging out atop or at the bottom with a “great job, do it again” profile, in which our coaches lap with their group/athletes at all times so there’s constant attention and focus as to the plan. Most coaches also “coach” by only providing a reactive glimpse as to an athlete’s run and while we can react, there’s a planned progression. Our coaches meet ahead of time to set up, and then daily and repeatedly remind the athletes throughout the training block to ensure that the athletes can make positive changes in their skiing. As you know, it’s adherence to the process, that takes care of a better result, yet the process needs to have a defined progression of learning, rather than random pointers when the kid finishes a training run.

In addition, I’ve attached an evaluation used at summer camp for one of my athletes (thus I’m allowed to share it), but it’s representative of the depth and breadth that our camps use, in which to help create a cleaner and easier path towards an athlete’s potentials in this sport.

The last part about Edry’s coaches, this is what we do… I’d rather not compare coaches to other camps, yet Edry has put together a group of coaches who coach for a living. Most of us, worked with Edry at a ski academy, thus the familiarity is one thing,… the direction on hill blows it out of the park!

For Summer, we’re headed to Hood and Saas Fee. Hood we usually have Lanes 2 or 3 on Palmer, and one on Celeb. They offer the longest, and most consistent fall-lane. At Hood, kids can also test equipment, thus we as coaches can help with this process, and provide evaluations as to what we feel is the best option for their particular type of skiing, as to what to buy (size, radius, brand, etc). If you look at the eval attachment, Charlotte was on a 145cm SL and a 152cm GS, which based upon my thoughts, her testing, and her confidence and power, we moved her to a 155cm slalom and a 176cm GS and kills both! Parents thought I was nuts Pat to move her that much, and even went back to their coach from the previous year. Point is, the camp takes the time to really evaluate the best equipment for each athlete.

Another thought, is the Copper Camp, which we do at Thanksgiving. Similar to Hood, we’ve been going for so many years to Copper that Edry has the first request for lane space and times of training. In fact, we know our lanes and time in October thus a 9am lane and a lane right after lunch, and for those who know Copper, Upper and Lower far left and Lower Middle for all of our GS training, and then a few lanes on the downhill for SL, skiers far right on Onno Bowl. This offers us the best track, conditions, appropriate pitch to-age-class-specific-training, and the best light. Insane when I watch other camps trying to navigate injected snow on the downhill, with U14’s, who are trying to survive, rather than learning anything. Our lanes are appropriate for the age-class and level of skier, thus they learn!

The beauty of Copper, is that parents can attend, in which the family stays locally, thus the athlete meets their group at 7am for breakfast, video and then train all day before returning to their parents after the 2nd session on snow. They can also join us for the post-training fun with indoor wallyball, snowsports or yoga. For families who don’t travel with their children, we offer a full-boarding option and offer chaperoned flights (Boston, Hartford and NYC), then 24/7 supervision with condos and all meals. We run a Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday evening, complete with an awards presentation. The camp is sponsored by SYNC, Rossignol, Head, POC and others, thus really cool swag and stuff for all.

Anyway, doesn’t scratch the surface, but it would be great if you could promote the camp to your athletes and families. www.uselitecamps.com

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