Welcome! Nelson Wingard

This summer I spent 7 days working up at Mt Hood with PSIA-NW and Snow Performance Race Camps. Great weather, good firm snow in the morning and corn by mid morning. As usual we loaded the chair around 6:30, started teaching around 8 and came off hill around 1...leaving plenty of time for a sail or a round of golf. Both camps I would car pool up with either Tyler Barns of the PSIA-NW Technical Team or Chris Kastner former PSIA national demo team member. The time on the hill and in the car talking… Continue

On Feb 18th at 3 AM, Lily Kay Wingard joined the population of Steamboat. She is a very healthy and happy baby. She is our first child and now I understand. All those people who told me what to expect or how I would feel, I never could understand until now. Easily the coolest thing ever.

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I went out the other day on a Snowboard, which I haven't done in way too long. Man, that's fun. And my skiing improved because of it. It's all about moving with the tool, staying centered and shaping the turn.

The first few turns on the SB I was so concerned with slowing down that I just pushed my back foot around and slid around the corner. The board would pivot, slide, then as pressure built up chatter and bounce over the snow. The latter half of the turn was very unpleasant and I couldn't wa… Continue

A good friend of mine sent me this link. Great image of skiing.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/winter_sports/7301092.stm

A couple of notes.
1. The drill where Noel has his poles across his body, he is not focused on keeping them down the hill, but rather level to terrain. This is to maintain body orientation that keeps pressure and movement directed towards the outside ski. The rotary element is less focused on counter and more upon moving with the ski.

2. When talking about pres… Continue

Starting the season right is the key to a long season of fun on the mountain. Getting your feet dialed in so you can balance on top of your skis or board makes for much easier skiing or riding.

Here are a couple of thoughts that I use to get my center.
1. Simple sport. Keep your body over your base of support.
2. Balancing on the side of the ski is what makes them carve and hold, if I push or try to edge hard, the ski breaks loose and chatters.
3. Explore a range of movements. Modern skiing all… Continue