For instance, take the “Explore the Beast with Dan Egan” clinic running throughout this winter at Killington Ski Resort in Vermont. Imagine arriving at Killington on a classic eastern ski day and being greeted by the other enthusiastic people you will be skiing with over the next two days. In your company will be other coaches, instructors, parents, businessmen,  college students, people who ski fifteen days a year and people who ski eighty. The commonality among the group: everyone is excited to be there and ready to improve their own skiing.

So what’s the morning like with SkiClinics? First off, is the overlooked lesson on the importance of breathing. You may have had this lesson before in a yoga studio, but never on the slopes. See, the SkiClinics’ goal is for you to ski better, longer, and where you want to go and the first step is getting oxygen to your muscles and relaxing. The lesson won’t be about how to breathe, it will be to simply do it, which opens up immediate conversation among the group for several chair rides – how simple it is to relax and how much of an impact it has on your confidence. This will be a funny realization because we forget the basics of having a good time – confidently relaxed. SkiClinics will show you that skiing is not about being apprehensive over what to do, it is about complimenting the mountain in your own way. As skiers we are meant to channel our energy, not to control it. You learn this first with remembering to breathe; the first of many simple lessons you pick up with SkiClinics.

What is empowering about skiing with SkiClinics is their commitment to a personalized experience and their understanding of what is realistic. American Olympic skier Bode Miller will admit (beyond our own belief) that he is skiing a great run when 50% of his turns are good turns. That means for us mere mortals (SkiClinics coaches included), if we are doing 25% good turns, than we are skiing the run of our lives.  This freeing mentality combined with accepting that what is accepted as the “absolute right way” is not necessarily what is right for you, allows for you to ski in your own way.  Utilizing Weem’s Sports Diamond for self diagnosis you will learn that if you know why you ski, understand your attachment to the mountain around you, and are willing to do what it takes to ski better, than the technique will follow in suit.

SkiClinics’ creatively different coaching continues with the permission that our natural range of motion is in fact ski technique. Is skiing skeletal or muscular? SkiClinics doesn’t get there. It’s not how they think about skiing. They teach the feeling of skiing – maximize your movements, duplicate, internalize, and the learning will follow. If your committed to whatever it is your skiing purpose is, you will discover a rejuvenated wildness in your skiing – maybe not Dan Egan’s Wild World of Winter material, but wild in your own way.

After experiencing a day with SkiClinics you will be left saying, “Wow, I can’t believe I can do that!”.

The conditions were great all weekend, Saturday was warm and the snow was creamy, Sunday with a bit colder temps we had grippy surfaces which were perfect for our our range of motion drills and top to bottom runs.

Check out www.edgechange.com for Sports Diamond and send Weems a thank you note for providing the foundation of our “purpose, touch, will and technique.  Do come on out and ski with me this winter, plenty of opportunities at both Killington and Big Sky.  Or if you want to organize a private group let me know.

With conditions the way they are, instruction is a great way to spice up your day and expand your skill level!!

With yet another great loss in the ski world with the passing of Jamie Pierre in an avalanche in Utah, please remember that early season ripping has its hazards.  Here are my top ten things to be aware of for early season snow fall.

10. Check your equipment make sure your bindings are working
9. Untracked snow in Nov and early Dec is Mother Nature way of sweeping things under the rug
8. Ski good or eat wood
7. In December remember the days are short, the season is long
6. Don’t be stampeded by the herd mentality
5. Stop above water bars and mountain roads
4. No BLT’s (Bad Last Turns)
3. If you’re over 40 and you think you’re as good as you were in your 20’s….you weren’t very good in your 20’s
2. Rock, Stumps and Bumps are buried yet
1. Savor the mountains, your friends, family and give thanks for the blessings in your life.

We will miss you Jamie, may God bless your family in their time of need!

Get all the big mountain action you can handle without having to leave the east! Join Dan on his annual weekly pilgrimage to Tuck’s April 13, 20, and 27 and experience one of skiings most historic venues. Bring the whole family or even just send your kids out to ensure a great day of burning off steam in the mountains. This trip is a great way to get head up Mt. Washington with a group and ski together, learn a bit and have a safe day without the crowd of the weekends.

TRIPS INCLUDE: We will work on the following:

• How to pack your gear
• Hiking in steep terrain
• Creating anchors on the steeps for putting on skis
• Steep skiing techniques
• Classic routes on Mt. Washington.
• FUN

PRICE: $130/pp. Please confirm by the Wednesday prior.

Contact us for more info!

You’ll be met in Geneva and picked up in a van and driven to the best snow in the Alps.  We will ski 3-4 resorts during the week and drive to the best snow in Switzerland, France, Italy and Austria. Plus you’ll ski between countries, and ski tour the most scenic locations in Europe. This camp will focus on backcountry skills, snow safety and big mountain skiing. Accommodations will be 4 star hotel and chalets.  Trip includes ground transportation, breakfast, 3 Dinners, 6 day lift pass, daily back country instruction.

Cost is only $2450.00

Dates: April 1 – 7, 2012

Contact us for more info!

VAL D’ISERE, FRANCE
March 24– 31, 2012
Adventure Guided Skiing and Avalanche Awareness

Join Dan Egan and avalanche expert Henry Schniewind for some off-piste skiing on the steeps and in the couloirs of this massive French ski resort! An epic ski vacation with top guides for your skiing safety and enjoyment.

TRIP INCLUDES: 7 nights lodging at Les Cretes Blanche, daily breakfast, 6-day lift pass to Val D’ Isere and the resort of Schniewind days coached skiing with Dan Egan and guided off-piste skiing with Henry Schniewind. Henry is a professional ski guide and an expert on avalanche safety.

This trip also includes 2 nights of avalanche awareness talks, use of beacons, probes, route finding, hazard evaluation, snowpack stability evaluation and more! Note: This professionally guided ski trip is for upper intermediate and advanced skiers. Limited to 10 clients. Ground transfers NOT included. Trip must be booked by 1/14/12. Contact us for more info.

View Video on past Val d’Isere Ski Trip

PRICE: $3,299.00 (ppdo) / $3,599.00 (single) if booked prior to 12/1/11. Booking within 45 days of departure will incur a $250 late charge.

SIGN UP NOW!

This first of its kind camp will focus on the strategy and tactics of free riding the back country of the Austrian Alps.  Designed for serious Free-riders who want to compete, film and make a career and or just learn to aspects of big mountain skiing from snow safety, steep techniques, cliff drops and speed control.  The camp will feature professional big mountain free riders and prepare participants for up and coming international competitions.

Accommodations are slope side in the historic village of St Christophe in the center of the Arlberg.

Cost $950.00, includes accommodation, lift pass and coaching

Dates: Feb 10 – 15, 2012

Contact Us for more info!

2011/2012 Ski Camp Schedule

Nov 26 & 27        Killington Preseason Tune Up with Dan Egan

Dec 30, 31            Killington – All Terrain Skiing with Dan Egan

Jan 7, 8               Killington – Explore the Beast with Dan Egan

Feb 4, 5              Killington – Explore the Beast with Dan Egan

Feb 10-15            Youth Free Ride Camp St Anton Austria

Feb 18 & 19       Killington – Explore the Beast with Dan Egan

Feb 23- 25           Big Sky Resort  Steep Camp

March 3 & 4       Killington – Explore the Beast with Dan Egan

March 10-17       Big Sky Steep Camp

March 24-31       Val D Isere France

April 1-7               European Ski Safari

April 13, 20, 27 Friday in the Ravine

April 29- May 5 – Austrian Glacier Ski Adventure details TBA

Aug24- Aug 31 – Valle Nevado Chile

Dust off and dial in your skills for the winter with Dan by focusing on skills such as edge control along with exercises that will prepare you for the upcoming season. Dan will help you make this year a ski season to remember.

Schedule:

Saturday

8:00 – 8:45 am Meet and greet

9:00 am – 12:00 pm On-snow coaching, focus on stance with a calm and strong upper body

12:00 – 1:00 pm Lunch with Tech Talk by Dan on equipment and gear

1:00 – 3:30 pm On-snow coaching, focus on edge pressure and setting up for the next turn

4:00 – 5:00 pm Video analysis followed by Tech Talk strategies and tactics for adventure skiing

Sunday

8:00 – 8:45 am Meet and greet

9:00 am – 12:00 pm On-snow coaching, focus on stance with a calm and strong upper body

12:00 – 1:00 pm Lunch with Tech Talk by Dan on equipment and gear

1:00 – 3:30 pm On-snow coaching, focus on edge pressure and setting up for the next turn

4:00 – 5:00 pm  Video analysis followed by Tech Talk strategies and tactics for adventure skiing

Scheduled times and information are subject to change without notice.

Program Rates: $358

All rates are subject to change without notice. Reservations are required, please call 800-923-9444 to book your Dan Egan program reservation. For lodging, please call 800-621-MTNS.