7 Things You Need To Know About Summer Ski Camp

 

Summer Skiing

Your ski boots are hung up, your mountain bike is dirty and the lake is feeling pretty great for a

swim right now. While skiing is just a dream for many of us through the summer months, the ski

racers of the world are dusting off their boots and headed into the Southern hemisphere to chase winter

snow or you’re next best option: Mt.Hood, Oregon, America’s own summer skiing mecca.

As a young athlete every mile on snow counts. Heading to summer camp is a great way to

add miles and gain new knowledge before competition season is in full swing again. Here are the 7

things you need to know about Summer Snow Camp.

 

  1. Check Your Equipment

Summer camp can be one of the first experiences away from home without mom and dad, so

added discomfort due to poorly tuned equipment or ill-fitting boots can make it a whole lot more

difficult. Check to make sure your boots fit. Not only is this for comfort, but also for

performance and development at camp.  These camps aren’t cheap and to get the most

out of the skiing experience with returns into next season, get the right boot in the right size. It’s

a really good idea to make sure those boots are going to fit in the skis you will bring. I can’t tell

you how many times I have adjusted an athlete’s skis at the bottom of the Magic Mile. It’s time

consuming and honestly, embarrassing. PLEASE, for your coach’s sanity, check your

equipment for proper function BEFORE you leave for camp. The boot fitters and ski technicians

at Granite Chief can get you dialed before you head out to camp. It only takes a few days and well worth

it!

 

  1. Skip the yellow, bring the purple.

It’s likely you are ready to transition to new skis and camp is a great time to do that. To keep

your new gear fast for the winter, don’t bother bringing the yellow wax. We recommend using a

harder wax on your skis during the Summer season in Mt. Hood. The summer’s snow surface is full of

salt, granular and can tear your ski bases apart. A harder wax will stay on the ski longer and help protect

your skis. Purple Wax

 

  1. Wear Layers!!!!

Now we all know its summer, it’s 80 degrees in town and shorts and t-shirts are what's fresh

right now. Don’t let the temperature in town fool you. Mt. Hood is a mountain with a mind of its

own. It can snow, rain, fog, and wind. Be prepared for anything, pack your bag as if anything

can happen. LAYERS lots of LAYERS. Layers to put on, layers to take off, extra ones for when

you get wet and need to change. Mikaela Shiffrin, American two-time Olympic gold medalist and World

Cup alpine skier, skis longer than anyone on training days. Why? One reason is because she is always

prepared for the variable mountain conditions. Dressing properly will not only make

you more comfortable, but it will also allow you to ski to your full potential throughout the day.

Grown out of the ski clothes? Summer is also a great time to pick up new layer or a new suit.

There are usually great winter clearance deals at the shops; just in time to head out for summer skiing!

 

  1. Eat Well and Hydrate

Simple nutrition and hydration are pivotal pieces to a successful week at ski

camp. As a coach, I’ve seen athletes and coaches suffer from a lack of hydration and poor

nutrition. With early mornings and action-packed afternoons plus the added elevation, staying

hydrated is imperative to making it through the week at your best. I always have my Hydro Flask full,

32 oz, of water with me on hill and I refill my bottle at lunch.

Be sure to eat a good breakfast and have lots of snacks for the duration of your training session on hill.

One of my favorite on-hill snacks are cliff bars, they offer balanced nutrition and will re-energize you

throughout the day. Dried fruit is also a great glycemic boost and can help fulfill the bodies daily

essential vitamin needs.

 

  1. Sleep

It’s easy to get carried away having a great time with your teammates and bunk buddies at camp.

While you may be tempted to stay up late playing Fortnite, we highly advise to hit the hay

early to get the most rest you can. At the camps I coach, coaches will take phones away by 8pm and on

our off-snow day, we take them away entirely for 24 hours. This allows for the athlete’s to not only get a

full night’s rest, but also encourages them to engage fully in the present moment and build lasting

relationships with their peers and teammates.

 

  1. Get to know your coaches

No matter which camp you attend this summer, take advantage of this time to get to know the

coaches, athletes and mentors. Whether you are traveling with your home team or

spending time with new friends, the relationships you build today will benefit you throughout your life

and ski career.

 

  1. Journal

Athletes learn a lot about their skiing during camp but they learn even more about themselves at.

To get the most out of your week at camp, keep a journal of things you worked on, things you can

improve on and some new concepts you want to explore. Write down daily memories

you have, names of people you meet and ideas you share with others. These notes will be invaluable to

you and serve as inspiration come late November when it’s time to bring your new skills into the fresh

Winter season.