Welcome to Okemo Mountain School

Friday, August 31, 2012

Friday, August 24, 2012

Aug 24th Day #5 Dryland camp




What an incredible week of weather and fun was had. Today we went to Tater Hill Golf range and had a lesson with a pro on the range and whacked many many balls. In the AM we did a little mobility and played some games. We also did some mock Physical Testing. It is funny what happens to different folks when the clock comes out!!!!
Everyone loved lunch in THE CLUB HOUSE :) and a little ice cream topper made for a real humdinger of a kickball game to end camp. It was a blast working with this crew!!!!
One Picture from golf today and a few from yesterdays car pull:)

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Aug 23 day #4 Dryland camp




Today we had a great day of fun and fitness. Our workout this AM was strength and the kids dug it. We had med ball relays, after a little 10 min cardio warm up. We also pulled my Kia:)
In teams of course.
Then we left for Little rock pond which was as awesome as always and many athletes made the plunge!!!! The rock jump is very exhilarating. We finished at the Vermont Country Store to visit the Ice cream stand. Golf Tomorrow.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Aug 22 Day #3 dry land camp




Another epic day of camp. We added a few new campers today and will finish the week with even more. Today after a mobility warm up we did a plyometric workout at the Spring house. We got in almost 500 jumps in the AM before hitting the pool. After lunch we headed to Cobra Gymnastics in Rutland where the athletes continued to jump, tramp and tumble. The day was great and the kids loved the gymnastics style workouts. They really liked the tumble track!! Flew like birds they did. Little Rock Pond tomorrow!!:)

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Aug 21 Day #2 Dry land camp



Today we started the day with mobility and a balance work out. Some circuits to be exact. We used a slack line, a physio ball and some vew dew boards to get the work done. Then we hiked the back side of OKEMO to the fire tower, which to our dismay was being worked on and the area was closed. So we set up a little picnic and enjoyed lunch by the chair lift and new cell towers being put in. We hiked the trek back down and shot over to buttermilk falls for a dip and or plunge. Finally back to school and a quick core routine with med balls and push up drills:) Camp is going great and kids are psyched for tramp track tomorrow!

Monday, August 20, 2012

Aug 20 Day #1 Dry land camp




Today we had a great opening day for Okemo Mountain School's back to school conditioning camp. We had 10 athletes and a mentor join us in mobility and an agility session in the AM. We ran cones and worked a ladder with different foot patterns which the kids liked. Then we played a little world famous BRUCIE BALL which as always was a huge hit. We also got in a swim at the Spring House before headed back to OMS for a yummy lunch. Then we went for a van ride to Rutvegas and had a little rock climbing fun!!!!!

Friday, August 10, 2012

Aug 10 Saas Fee Day 9 on snow




Today we trained GS on some pretty tough pitch and terrain. The crew stepped it up and skied above expectations. Coaches were super psyched with the obvious progress made by all. The courses were excellent and athletes tore it up.
This Camp at Saas Fee was simply outstanding. Weather was unbelievable and snow surface held till late morning each and every day.
The athletes are out playing soccer after we have loaded skis and bags for our morning departure to Zurich. See you all tomorrow night:)
PS Happy B DAy D HAUSE!!!!!!!!

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Aug 9 Saas Fee Camp Day 8 on Snow




Today we skied GS on the Glacier. Snow was firm and perfect for training. The sun was shinning and the kids were psyched to be skiing GS. We were working two different lanes with similar training. Both had GS panels with a brush to help athletes establish where to begin the turn (ABOVE THE GATE). Pitches were both moderate and athlete's were able to train a turner first course and a reset of a little more distance. We wanted to see who was able to make adjustments and correct mistakes in line. Summer skiing is the best time to change your skiing technique, and athletes were working hard to do so. Here are some action shots from today!! ENJOY:)
Tomorrow we have our last training day on the hill. We will end with a GS session on a more undulating piste and ski as one big group. Then we will begin travel waxing and packing in preparation for our departure Saturday.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

SCOOTER CARNAGE Aug 8 Saas Fee


Scooter damage:)

More Photos from Aug 8th


YAHOOO!!!

Aug 8 Saas Fee day 7 on snow






Today we finished our Slalom block with a race simulation. Yesterday we had great weather after our two days off. It was incredible how firm the snow was after two warm wet days. It was mid winter VT conditions. The training has been as good as it gets. Athletes are able to use the firm snow and really work on improving their skiing. For dryland we went to the mountain scooters down in Saas Grund. All I can say is Crazy AWESOME!!!!!
Check out the Carnige shot

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Aug 6 Saas fee Camp ITALY!!!!!

Today the lingering storm system closed the glacier again much to our dismay, BUT this resulted in a trip to Italy which everyone enjoyed greatly!
We awoke at the normal time and proceeded through morning sport and breakfast when we finally got the call that the glacier was closed. At this point, we then quickly changed gears and everyone got cleaned up and ready for a trip to Stresa, Italy! It was a beautiful van ride through the Alps and we finally arrived on Lago Maggiore at the picturesque resort town of Stresa. The athletes enjoyed experiencing another culture, eating pizza and gelato, and shopping! Attached are a few pictures from Stresa.
After roaming the town of Stresa we headed north of the town to a smaller lake that is fed by a spring and is much warmer and nice for swimming. Many decided to take a quick swim here to cool off - it was MUCH warmer in Italy than we have been used to in Saas Fee. Before heading home, we stopped at a mall/Italian "Wal-Mart" where the athletes stocked up on snacks for the ride home.
We returned to the Sonnenhof to a delicious dinner of spaetzl and stroganoff! Now the athletes are watching a little Olympics before heading to bed.
Thankfully, the forecast for the rest of the week looks perfect, so we will head into 4 days on snow - 2 SL and 2 GS! Everyone is excited to get back on skis.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Aug 5 Saas Fee rained out:(




Today the Glacier did not open due to conditions beyond control. All day we rolled between sunshine and raging T storms. The crew headed down to Saas Grund and took the lift up to the Trift Glacier. We hiked a fun loop before headed down down down back to the bus. The kids had fun on pedal Go Karts and then the T storms hit us on the hike down. Got a bit wet but made it back for lunch. the athletes had a workout in the parking garage at 3pm and are now all down playing pick up soccer at the fields. The kids are doing great and bonding with each other and the Canadian team staying here as well!!! If the Glacier opens in the AM we ski if not we head to Italy for the day. As of now we have lost no days and will ski 5 straight to finish the camp. Weather after tomorrow looks awesome again !!!!

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Aug 4 Saas Fee day #5 On snow SL





Today we hit the glacier and were met with beautiful sunshine once more. The snow was great but softened quicker than the past days. We were still able to get in 300 Slalom gates and finish with free skiing. The athletes are making progress with their skiing. With the use of individual feedback and daily video athletes know what exactly they need to work on. Coaches are very psyched with attitudes and effort.
We had a big soccer game for dry land and Stu and Brucie had goal tending skills but Stu's team won the day with his super human skills.
Weather is rolling in so we will assess the situation in the AM. If the lift runs we are on it!!!!!!

Friday, August 3, 2012

Aug 3 Saas Fee Camp Day OFF

The athletes were able to sleep in a bit today and get breakfast at 8am. Then most headed to the Ropes Course, which winds around the woods with different features and ends with a zip line over the Gorge!!!
Then they headed down the valley to some hot springs and enjoyed Natural glacier pools.

Tomorrow we head into a three day Slalom block. We will run two lanes, one Apex brush drills and one with a mix of Brushes and full gates. Focus is Stance and turn shape. We are hoping for good weather and continuing with this amazing training on the Allian Glacier.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Aug 2 Saas Fee day #4 on snow!!!


Today we were unable to gate train because of soft snow and a lift being down. But I think that it may have been a huge blessing in disguise!! Athletes headed up to the glacier and free skied on some still amazing snow. A little softer than the days before but still eastern like condition until about 10 am. Coaches were able to take out smaller groups of athletes and do some more individual type work. But the best part of the day, well at least for these girls:) was the guy we got to video and get a photo op with!!!!!

We will hit them with a good solid workout today before their day off tomorrow. They can stay in Saas fee and enjoy the town and sights or there is an optional trip to the hot springs at Brig!!!

Things are going exceptionally well, the athletes are immersed in ski culture here!!!!!!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Aug 1 2012 Saas Fee day #3 on snow




Another fabulous day of training. We had our first real early start with athletes. Up at 5:50am on the hill at 7 AM!!! Great GS training for all groups. We had two short courses one with simple GS rhythm and a separate brush apex course. Athletes were making progress with stance changes and movement patterns. Coaches are psyched with great attitudes and work ethic.
For Dry land today we had Herr Kirschman (owner of the Sonnenhof) take us on the coolest tour of the surrounding sights of the ares around Saas Fee. We saw 100 yr old structures and cool avalanche barriers. We even got to see some weird farm animals. We saw the world cup hill, steeeep!!!! and also spent some time at a glacier pool and barefoot walking path that is made to massage and rejuvenate the hikers as they come off the trail. Kids loved it as well as coaches. It really helped with shin bang and sore calf's and feet. Good as new after 5 laps in the ice cold water and a walk around the massaging foot path of wood chips onto stepping blocks and finish on little pebbles, it was really really neat. One more