by Dave McCoy, Snowbound Program Advisor | Nov 18, 2024 | Division News, Ski Industry News
As 50,000 winter sports enthusiasts stepped into the Boston Convention Center this weekend they were eagerly greeted by top ski and snowboard brands, big winter sports personalities, representatives from ski areas around the globe, and most importantly, the National Ski Patrol’s Eastern Division.
This year our booth was strategically located near the indoor ski hill and adjacent to the main stage where celebs including Catie Zeliff, Dan Egan, Hannay Kearney, and even Donny Pelletier, Maine’s Finest Athlete, entertained the crowds. Over the three days “America’s Coolest First Responders” handed out hundreds of fun items and met face-to-face with snow fans young and old. We also had a fun engaging video playing all day this year with added features on patrolling at Pat’s Peak, Saddleback, and the future patrollers at Sunday River’s Gould Academy.
30 volunteer patrollers in our 20×20 display booth with bright, colorful images and messaging met thousands of people from the East Coast and far beyond, making a positive, memorable, first-hand impression that cannot be bought. People interested in learning more left us their contact information so we can reach out after the show. A rough estimate puts us at a fourfold increase over last year in people signing up for more information on patrolling. That is great news and aligns nicely with the National Ski Patrol’s prime objective.
Every year Snowbound Expo is a powerful opportunity for the Eastern Division to connect with skiers and snowboarders of all ages positively, letting them know what Ski Patrol is all about. The attendance numbers keep growing and the show keeps getting bigger, clear signs that winter sports are strong and healthy.
A huge THANK YOU to all the patrollers from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and of course Massachusetts who helped us this weekend. You made an epic first impression that will pay us all back. Thanks to Nick Rasher and his team at Blue Hills for building, transporting, setting up, and dismantling the booth. Also, a special shout out to Frey Aarnio, Dallas Coffman, and Kathy Fitzpatrick for donating the fun swag. Everything came together in an epic NSP Eastern Division team effort that every patroller can take pride in.
See you next year!
by Simon Thomas, RD EMARI | Sep 15, 2024 | Division News, Ski Industry News, Spotlight Articles
Get ready to hit the slopes with the National Ski Patrol at the Snowbound Expo in Boston! Ski Patrollers mark your calendars!
The National Ski Patrol is gearing up for another thrilling appearance at the Snowbound Expo in Boston, set to take place November 15-17, 2024. After last year’s smashing success, where our booth drew crowds and lots of smiles, we’re more excited than ever to showcase what makes NSP the gold standard in winter sports safety.
Last year, our booth was a standout hit, buzzing with excitement and filled with families eager to learn about the crucial role of ski patrollers. We had fantastic interactions with winter sports lovers of all ages, from enthusiastic kids dreaming of their first slopes to seasoned skiers sharing their own snowy adventures. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees particularly enjoying our interactive displays, exciting video, and cool giveaways.
This year, we’re bringing back all those fan-favorite elements that made our booth so memorable, plus some new surprises to keep the excitement rolling. Our goal is not just to present a positive image of NSP but also to connect on a personal level with the winter sports community. We’ll have patrollers on hand to answer questions, share stories, and explain how we ensure safety and fun on the slopes.
We’re also on the lookout for patrollers from the entire Eastern Division to join our team of volunteers to run the booth over the three days. This is always a lot of fun and worth your time. And if you are interested in helping promote this event, the Ambassador program comes with some fun perks. Click here to apply.
The Snowbound Expo is becoming a big hit with families, offering a perfect blend of entertainment and education. Guest speakers include Alice Merryweather, Hannah Kearny, Todd Richards, Dan Eagan, and “Maine’s Finest Athlete” himself, Donny Pelletier. Plus, there will be many more.
There is plenty of great food and a few local breweries to help make it a complete day. And don’t forget about the indoor ski slope and rail park. It’s truly a celebration of what we love and we are jazzed to be right in the middle of all the action again.
Stay tuned for more information and get ready to join us at the Snowbound Expo for an unforgettable winter experience!
by Trail Sweep Staff | May 1, 2024 | Ski Industry News, Spotlight Articles
With the early end to this year’s ski season, now isn’t the time to be lazy. Staying in shape will help you avoid noodle legs once you’re able to get back on the mountain next season. Here are some moves you can do right at home to help maintain ski-season shape.
Squats
• Your quads are the first thing to burn out when you go skiing, so you’ll want to maintain your leg strength in the meantime. New to squats? • • Here’s how to do a basic air squat:
• Stand with your legs shoulder-width apart.
• Push your hips back and bend your knees like you are sitting into a chair.
• Keep going until your thighs are parallel to the floor.
• Keep your heels down and your knees behind your toes.
• Stand up and repeat.
Level up Squats
• Level up your squats by adding weights in each hand, or by doing squat jumps. Instead of just standing back up like an air squat, jump straight up, and then go back down into a squat.
• You can also try sumo squats. They are similar to air squats, but your feet are spread wider apart and your toes turned out. You can also • hold a dumbbell in your hands to make this more difficult.
• Aim for 3 – 4 sets of 20 squats.
Lunges
Lunges are great for strong legs/glutes and better balance – something skiers in particular should focus on. Here’s how to do a basic walking lunge:
• Stand up straight with your feet together.
• Step one leg forward and bend down so that your front leg is at a 90º angle with the floor.
• Make sure to keep your upper body straight with your shoulders back.
• Stand back up and lunge with the other leg.
Level up Lunges
• You can add weight in each hand while doing your lunges for more benefit. You can also vary the workout by doing reverse lunges or try balance side lunges. Still want more? Try jumping lunges to add some balance practice and cardio to your routine.
• Aim for 4 – 5 sets of 10 lunges on each leg.
Planks
Planking is a great way to work on your core strength. You use your core muscles of your abs and lower back a lot while skiing, especially on more difficult terrain. Here’s how to do a basic plank:
• Start by laying on the floor on your stomach.
• Push up on your elbows and toes, with your body in a flat line.
• Do not let your hips dip or your shoulders scrunch.
• Hold the position.
Level up Planks
Try different variations of planking. This could be side planks, planks with a knee to elbow touch, or planks with hip dips.
Try to hold your plank for at least 45 seconds at a time, with a minute rest in between.
Cardio
Cardio will help you keep your endurance up for a whole day back on the mountain without getting too exhausted. Get started with burpees:
• Start by putting your hands on the ground about shoulder-width apart.
• Jump your feet back to a pushup position.
• Lower your body down.
• Push your body up and jump your feet to your hands.
• Jump vertically with your hands above your head.
Skater hops are great for both cardio and balance:
• Starting on one side of your body, squat down slightly
• Jump to your opposite side, landing on your other foot.
• Use that foot to jump back to the starting position and land on the other foot.
• Try and jump as far and as fast as possible.
• For an extra cardio kick, try plyo ski hops. They are similar to skater hops in that it’s a lateral, weight-shifting move – similar to skiing!
by Trail Sweep Staff | Mar 25, 2024 | Ski Industry News, Spotlight Articles
Unless you’re still earning your turns in the high alpine, you’ve probably already put your skis to bed for the summer and dusted off the bike, paddle board, or maybe even golf clubs (hey, you do you—no judgment). Quick question before you move on to your summer endeavors: Did you store your ski gear properly?
Not to sound like your dad, but you really are doing yourself a favor by taking the time and going through a few extra steps before stashing your skis and boots for the off-season. Not only will proper storage save you time when the snow starts flying again and it’s time to gear up, but it will also help protect and extend the functional life of your expensive equipment.
Thank you to Ski Magazine for a great article.To read the complete and informative article Ski Magazine
by Trail Sweep Staff | Feb 16, 2024 | Ski Industry News, Spotlight Articles
Skiing is a great way to get out and enjoy the winter weather. But it’s also a strenuous activity that can take a toll on your body if you’re not careful. That’s why it’s good to follow a ski diet that will help you stay fueled and energized throughout your day on the trails. This post will discuss some of the best ways to maintain good nutrition while skiing!
1. Consider your food intake.
2. Carbohydrates are important for skiing.
3. Protein is also a must for skiing.
4. Stay hydrated.
5. Avoid eating high-fat foods or drinking alcohol while skiing.
6. Make sure to take breaks during the day to eat and drink something.
7. Eating before you ski.
8. Eating after you ski.
This article was was written and published by Fasterskier.com. Rather than reprint the article in its entirety click on their link and it will bring you to it. They are a web-based publication, located in Williamstown, MA, bringing both the rigor of a daily newspaper and the passion of a niche magazine to their work. The magazine is geared towards Nordic skiing but good nutrition works well for any sport. Thank you to their President Matthew Voisin for allowing us to offer this information to everyone. The magazine has lots of great information on a myriad of subjects. Once you get to their website you’ll want to read more!
by Trail Sweep Staff | Jan 11, 2024 | Ski Industry News
Staying injury-free throughout the ski season requires a proper stretching program. Here are some stretching exercises that doctors from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons believe to be a good general set of flexibility exercises for skiers of all ages.
Flexibility is a key component to preventing injury. Stretching before athletic activity helps prepare the muscles for exercise. Stretching after exercise has proven to be even more important for preventing injury. For maximum benefit, skiers should stretch each of the major lower body muscle groups before and after sporting activity. The exercises below provide options for stretching those large muscle groups.
Directions
Be sure to warm up before doing any of these stretches. Good examples of warm up activities are slowly running in place or walking briskly for a few minutes.
Athletes must do the exercises carefully, speed is not important. Never bounce a stretch. Bouncing can cause muscle strains and other injuries.
Forward Lunges
Kneel on the left leg, placing the right leg forward at a right angle. Lunge forward, keeping the back straight. Stretch should be felt on the left groin.
• Hold for five seconds.
• Repeat three to six times.
• Repeat on opposite leg.
Side Lunges
Stand with legs apart, bending the left knee while leaning toward the left. Keep the backstraight and the right leg straight.
• Hold for five seconds.
• Repeat three to six times.
• Repeat on opposite leg.
Cross-Over
Stand with legs crossed, keeping the feet close together and the legs straight. Try to touch the toes.
• Hold for five seconds.
• Repeat three to six times.
• Repeat with the opposite leg.
Standing Quad Stretch
Stand supported by holding onto a wall or chair. Pull the foot behind to the buttocks. Try to keep knees close together.
• Hold for five seconds.
• Repeat three to six times.
Seat Straddle Lotus
Sit down, placing the soles of the feet together and drop the knees toward floor. Place the forearms on the inside of the knees and push the knees toward the ground. Lean forward from the hips.
• Hold for five seconds.
• Repeat three to six times.
Seat Side Straddle
Sit with legs spread, placing both hands on the same shin or ankle. Bring the chin toward the knee, keeping the leg straight.
• Hold for five seconds.
• Repeat three to six times.
• Repeat exercise on the opposite leg.
Seat Stretch
Sit with the legs together, feet flexed, and hands on the shins or ankles. Bring the chin toward the knees.
• Hold for five seconds.
• Repeat three to six times.
Knees to Chest
Lie on the back with knees bent. Grasp the tops of knees and bring them out toward the armpits, rocking gently
• Hold for five seconds.
• Repeat three to five times.
Editor’s Note: This article was reprinted from the Pittsburgh Ski Club.
