Deck the Rails 2

2nd Annual Deck the Rails

The holidays are here already and that means the 2nd annual Deck the Rails at Whiteface!  Friday, December 21st, grab your gear and head to the mountain for this late afternoon event.  Registration starts at 2pm in the NYSEF Training Center and comp starts at 3pm.  The jam will serve as the qualifier for this year's USASA exhibition at X-Games 17.  The top male and female, skier and snowboarder, regardless of age class will earn the invite so you better have your game on.  I'm talking to you Open Class!
Go to www.usasa.org , "adirondack region", for more info.

Opening Day

It was awesome to see all the Freeriders back and ripping up the slopes again! I've got to say I can't remember a year when so many coaches commented on the high level of skiing and riding the first day.  Of course, the good conditions and the mountain opening early helped some get a jumpstart on the season. But still, great work!  Now let’s keep it up!

Now that you’ve been out there and gotten your legs back under you it’s time to work on those goals.  If you haven’t defined them yet use your off-time this week to think about them.  Make a list of the tricks you want to dial in or the comps you want to hit up.  Actually write them down.  On paper.  Stick ‘em to your wall so you can remind yourself what you’re working towards and check them off as you accomplish them.

Challenge yourself but make them realistic and attainable through repeated practice.  When you see your coaches this weekend be ready to share them and maybe tweak things a little based on their input.

And remember, keep it fun! Start slow and work your way up.  Your coaches can help you with logical progressions that make it easier to improve.  Goin for too much too fast is not fun.  Getting injured is not fun. Burning out is not fun.  It’s like french frying when you’re supposed to pizza. “You’re gonna have a bad day.”  And you don’t want that!

Another Season Begins!

Well, it's finally here!  The 2012-13 season kicks off with the NYSEF Freeride program's first day of training this Sunday Dec 2nd.  The snowguns have been pounding the hill all week and even Mother Nature has been adding in a constant stream of flurries the last few days.  Big change from last year at this time!

We will be starting out the morning in our traditional way with a short informational meeting (8:30am) for both parents and athletes before heading out on snow.  Athletes should attend the meeting geared up and ready to go on snow and any equipment issues should be addressed before the meeting.  We'll then go over program details, rules, season goals and expectations and introduce staff.  I promise to keep the athlete portion short so the kids can get on snow and then be available to answer any questions parents might have. 

Note: Saturday, the upstairs portion of the lodge will be closed starting at 9am for staff orientation/training day.  Athletes can pick up passes beforehand though and freeski/freeride on their own for the day.  Please use the downstairs locker room to store gear, backpacks, etc for the day.

If you have any questions feel free to get in touch with me via my e-mail, mikek@nysef.org .

See you Sunday!

Mike Kirchner
Freeride Program Director

2012 Summer Freeride Camp

June 30th through July 11th, 2012
Alex, Josh, Anthony, Mason, Gavin and I ventured 3000+ miles across the country to ski and play on the glaciers at Timberline, hike and swim in the Mt Hood State Parks and National Forests, white water raft down a stretch of the Deschuttes River, and so much more. The trip proved to be an all around exploration of North Western Oregon, our talents, friendships, inspirations, and beyond. I hope you all enjoy this 11 minute synopsis of our time at camp.

Mt Hood Camp Update #2

7/8/12

So far so awesome! The weather could not be better! The skiing has been fabulous, and yet the fun has never stopped after we leave the hill each day!

Our days on the hill have been running from about 9AM until 4PM. The terrain parks don't open until 10AM, however from 9AM to 10AM has been the best time to freeski and explore around mt Hood.

The team getting ready in the parking lot

On the walk to the lift we go past the Timberline Lodge. Who has seen The Shining?

We found a cornice on our morning warm up run

Although the lifts close at 2PM that hasn't stopped us from staying up on the glacier hiking rail features, finding areas to build jumps, and play in the snow for an additional 2 hours.

Mason sliding down a steep snow drop we found at the end of the day.

The view from the bottom. You mean I have to hike up that now?

Yup.

Wait. Mason, NO! Hold on! I'll help you! ...right after I take your picture.

On Friday (7/6) we took a day off and went white water rafting on the Deschutes River. The water was running high and fast witch made for a very exciting day. A bunch of the boys had never been rafting before and said that the had the time of their life!

Saturday afternoon (7/7) we took a 2-mile hike to Tamanawas Falls. This is a 100ft waterfall around the back side of mt Hood from where we are staying. It was incredible! There is trail that even leads up behind the falls giving you an up close look at the forces of falling water. All of us had our bathing suits and even dared to stand under the flow and feel the forces first hand. The consensus was, "It is sooo cold!"

Don't worry though. We're not having any fun out here.

Thats it for this update. Only three more days. Man time is flying by.

-JP

Mt Hood Camp Update #1

7/2/12

So our first day is speeding by like a blur. Everyone's energy level is at an all time high. It has been agreed upon by all the boys that both Oregon, and Mt Hood are pretty "frickin" sweet! Today at Timberline the 6 of us spent the day getting to know the lay of the land, cleaning the cobwebs from our riding legs, and bringing some our favorite stock tricks out of our "bag of tricks."

The view of Mt Hood from the Timberline parking lot

The weather was beautiful; 55° F and sunny! There was a halfpipe, 5 jumps, and 10 rail/box features at our disposal. This is not even mentioning all of the other jibs that we found all over the mountain.

Small kid in a big shirt

After our day on the hill we went back to the Inn for some R & R.

The Huckleberry Inn with a view down Main St. in Govt. Camp

Then we went exploring and came across Lake Trillium. This is a beautiful, glacier fed, mt. lake just a 5 minute drive from our lodge. We swam, and played and made it back in time for dinner.

The Boys at Lake Trillium, w/ a view of Mt. Hood

More to come soon,

-JP