Nordic Fall Symposium

December 16, 17, 18 - 2009

Northstar At Tahoe

for Telemark and Cross Country Events

This is the BIG event on the western division Nordic calendar. It features three days of cross country and telemark clinics, exam prep courses, indoor clinics (such as waxing/ski prep), social events, and a general membership meeting. Clinic leaders include present and former PSIA demonstration team members, divisional clinic leaders and examiners, and nationally recognized racers, coaches and skiing celebrities.

This event is generally scheduled during the second week of December. For the convenience of members living at opposite ends of the state, the venue alternates between Mammoth, Tahoe/Donner Summit and Bear Valley each year.

Check this page for a schedule of events. As always, the schedule is subject to change due to weather, snow conditions and participant interest. Whenever possible, a full range of clinics for cross country and telemark skiers of all levels will be offered each day.

This event is a great opportunity to meet and ski with your Nordic colleagues from across the division. It is also a good time to start the season with a technique tune up or tip from a world class Nordic coach.

Click here to Download Registration Form for Nordic Symposium

Looks like we will have the best early season conditions in recent memory! Late Registration Fees ($20) will be assessed for last minute signups.

For additional information:
Contact the Western Division office, http://www.psia-w.org/maito:admin@psia-w.org, or (530) 587-7642

Where and when to meet:

Meet at the Northstar Cross Country, Telemark and Snowshoe Center.

We want to be ON-SNOW by 9:30 am.

Pick up your lift tickets at the Special Tickets office next to Starbucks in the Village.

Tickets at Northstar are NO CHARGE to PSIA/AASI members for this event. Thank you Northstar.

Proceed up the gondola to the Northstar Cross Country Center for clinics. Gondola should be runnng by 8:30 am. From the top of the Gondola, walk left towards Vista Express chair lift. Pass Vista Express loading area, walk up a short steep hill for approximately 30 yards to reach the Cross Country, Telemark and Snowshoe Center.

Tentative Schedule

Telemark Information
- Dec. 14, 2009, 2008 Telemark Examiner Training at Northstar (staff event)
- Wednesday, Dec. 16
  - All day Telemark Level 1 Prep ($70)
  - AM "Cross over to Telemark" -beginner, TBA
  - AM Skiing with Video Analysis- See the picture, make it better-intermediate, Urmas Franosch
  - AM Powder is Over-Rated, advanced, Larry Schember.
  - PM "Cross over to Telemark" -beginner, TBA
  - PM Skiing with Video Analysis- See the picture, make it better-advanced, Urmas Franosch
  - Powder is Over-Rated, intermediate, Larry Schember.
- Thursday, Dec. 17
  - All day Telemark Level 2 Prep ($160)
  - AM Movement Analysis Tune Up- Define what you see with greater clarity, All levels, Dale Drennan
  - AM Tackle the Steeps- Before they tackle you, Intermediate, TBA
  - AM Improving Balance-Discover your ankle, and other tips, Advanced, Dan Schultz
  - PM Improving Balance-intermediate. Dan Schultz
  - PM Tackle the Steeps-advanced, TBA
  - PM Movement Analysis Tune Up- continued, All levels, Dale Drennan
- Friday, Dec. 13
  - All day Telemark Level 2 Prep-Day 2 ($160)
  - AM Skiing with Feedback- Intermediate, TBA
  - AM Shut Up and Ski-Advance, TBA
  - AM The Learning Partnership, how to connect with your students, all levels
  - PM Skiing with Feedback- Advanced, TBA
  - PM Shut Up and Ski-Intermediate, TBA
  - PM The Learning Partnership, how to connect with your students, all levels
- SIGN UPS ARE DAILY AT THE EVENT.

Telemark clinician Bios:

Geoff Clarke, former PSIA-W nordic chief examiner, and current backcountry director has been teaching, guiding and flying off things on his telemark skis for several decades. He has most recently contributed his expertise to Alpine Skills International and Lake Tahoe Community College.

Dale Drennan is a clinician and examiner in both Western and Rocky Mountain divisions of PSIA. Her writing skills have graced the

pages of several manuals, including our Western Division Telemark and Cross Country Handbooks. Her skiing and teaching skills are admired at Sierra Summit, Montecito Sequoia, Copper Mountain, and other Western resorts.

Urmas Franosch is a former member of the PSIA national nordic demo team, and the current nordic chief examiner of PSIA-W. He is presently working on a series of telemark instructional videos which appear on mammothgear.com. He teaches telemark lessons and workshops on Mammoth Mountain.

Aaron Pearlman is a clinician, examiner, and Elvis impersonator who teaches telemark and cross country skiing at Alpine and Northstar. Ever since trading his comb-over for a big curly wig for his "ski with Elvis" clinic, he has been sought after for his exciting and creative approach to skiing and teaching(full disclosure: he never had a comb-over!).

Larry Schember is an advanced educator with PSIA-W nordic who plies his craft at Bear Mountain in Southern California, home of the hardpack. This is not to be confused with "icepack", something you won't need after Larry's enthusiastic and skillful coaching.

Cross Country Information: The following is "tentative". Clinics and instructors may change based on signups - clinic schedule for Cross Country events:
- Dec. 15, 2009 XC Examiner Training at Northstar XC (staff event)
- Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009
  - All day Cross Country Level 1 Prep ($70)
  - AM Classic Body Position, Ben Grasseschi
  - AM Skate clinic, Sally Jones Clinics
  - PM Classic, Beynd the First Lesson, Peter Mayfield
  - PM Skate, Teaching Beginners, 'A big bag-o-tricks' - Rick Eckert
- Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009
  - AM Classic, 'Get a Grip'-all levels- Rick Eckert
  - AM Skate/Classic Downhill Skills- all levels
  - PM Skate- Beyond the Basics, Int- Advanced-Val Licon
  - PM Biathlon, Try it out!- all levels- Glenn Jobe, Sally Jones
- Friday, Dec. 18, 2009
  - AM Skate Movement Analysis with video, Ben Grasseschi, all levels
  - AM Classic, Climbing and Descending, Peter Mayfield, all levels
  - PM Classic Movement Analysis with video, Peter Mayfield, all levels
  - Sign UPS ARE DAILY AT THE EVENT at Northsar Cross Country Center

Banquet information: Wednesday, December 16, 2009

The banquet and general membership meeting will take place at the Timber Creek Inn starting at 6 pm. This is a "no-host' dinner.

Lodging information: Northstar has arranged discounted lodging at their resort properties..

View Northstar Lodging rates for PSIA Nordic Symposium
Please have your guest call 1-800-GO-NORTH, then press #1 to reach the Reservations Dept. Your guest must reference PSIA09 to receive the pre-set group lodging discounts. Once the contract has been returned signed to the resort, all lodging inquiries must be made directly to the Reservations Manager at 530-562-2201, or lodging@northstarattahoe.com
For additional schedule or cost information, contact the PSIA/AASI office.