Ray Gilmore - PSIA & USSA Ski Coach

Good morning,

Things are filling up quickly for our Peak Performance Fall Ski Camp sessions at Copper Mountain, CO. We hope you will join us for one of the following sessions.

Nov 16-23
Nov 23-30
Nov 23-Dec 3
Nov 30-Dec 7
Dec 3-13

Visit peakperformancecamp.com to register and for more information.

Should you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.

I hope you will join us.

Best regards,

Dave Gregory
Camp Director
Peak Performance Ski Camps
603-520-1642
[email protected]
peakperformancecamp.com

This is my 2nd year participating in the "Hit the Beach" surfing event with the Wounded Warrior Project, and it has helped me in so many ways.

I have found a new summer passion, I have learned a new sport, I became a beginner all over again, and this year I got to help coach other veterans, expanding my support network and meeting new people.

Thank you Ralph Fatello, all of the volunteers, Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Co. and all of the sponsors..... what an amazing event, and such a fun sport.





https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/2024/08/23/wounded-warriors-surf-hampton-nh-north-beach/74916675007/

It's that time of year again!

Registration is now open for our Peak Performance Fall Ski Camp sessions at Copper. Visit peakperformancecamp.com

Take advantage of discounted tuition rates if registered by September 1.

We hope you will join us for a terrific early season on snow training opportunity.

Please do not hesitate to contact Dave with any questions or concerns you may have.

Best regards,

Dave Gregory
Camp Director
Peak Performance Ski Camps
603-520-1642
[email protected]
peakperformancecamp.com
Peak Performance Ski Camps

Knowing what it feels like to be a beginner at something, will allow you to connect with your students on a deeper level.

Knowing this, I try to learn a new sport/skill every year; and in the past 12-months I have picked up 2. Surfing & Polo.

Getting thumped by waves for an hour at a time during surfing lessons, helps me remember what it feels like for a novice skier/rider to fall down and get back up, again and again. Catching 1 out of 5 waves, reminds me of what it feels like to make that first successful run down the bunny slope without falling. Watching the kids, who grew up on the beach, catch every wave they want, cutting back and forth while effortlessly dancing on top of their board, reminds me how an adult novice feels when they see an 8-year old racer go arcing by on one ski.

Climbing up on a horse, reminds me of how a novice skier/rider feels when the step into a binding for the first time. They have no idea how to control the beasts below their feet, and it feels like they are out of control; it can be invigorating and fun, or scary and painful. The complexity of trying to ride the horse, and hit the ball, without hitting others by accident; is like the novice skier/rider trying to survive a crowded run for the first time on a holiday weekend. The chaos and confusion of the sport around you can be crushing, until you figure it out and are able to remain calm.

Learning the culture and the new terminology of a different sport can be overwhelming. Learning how the equipment works, how to put it all on, learning that there are different boards for different conditions, or that a different horse reacts differently. All of it becomes overwhelming, and yet with a little determination and persistence it is manageable, and becomes fun. Small victories add up, and with repetition and guided practice skills are developed, which increases the fun over time.

All of this, is useful as a coach, because it helps to keep us humble. Yup, I can make a few hundred, high performance, short radius turns down "True Grit" in variable terrain; but I can't turn on a surfboard (yet), and I am out of my element on a horse (for now). We are all beginners at something, and all of our students are better than us at something..... remember that this winter when you meet that first group of "Never Evers"; or better yet, go be a beginner at something between now and then, so you will never forget what it feels like, to be a beginner.

What sport/skill will you try?

How many of you have ever used a Skytechsport simulator?

What did you think of it?

What was your experience?

Did you have a coach?

Would you want a coach?

May the 4th be with you!

Summer Camp Enrollment is OPEN!!!!

Come ski with us on the glacier in the morning, followed by hikes, swimming and summer fun in the afternoons!

It truly is the best of both worlds!

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Greeting from Peak Performance Ski Camps. We invite you to join us for our summer session at Mt Hood June 28-June 8.

The Peak Performance methods have a proven track record of success from entry level to the World Cup. Join us for a tremendous on snow skiing experience and improve like never before.

Visit peakperformancecamp.com to register and/or for more information.

Best regards,

Dave Gregory
Camp Director
Peak Performance Ski Camps

Game On!!!!!

We heard you and so did Mother Nature. With 2+ feet of snow on the way let's go ONE MORE WEEKEND!

We'll be opening this Saturday & Sunday, April 6-7, for a final bonus weekend. The Skimobile Express Quad will be open both days 9am-4pm. Tickets are $49 for all ages, available online and at the ticket office.

Check the snow report for more info ➡ https://cranmore.com/snow-report

My season isn't over yet, with Peak Performance Ski Camps at Copper Mountain in April and Mt. Hood in June/July, but the lifts at Cranmore Mountain Resort are done spinning, and it has given me a moment to reflect on the whirlwind that was 2024, thus far.

I made the move from being the ski school director at Black Mountain, to coaching a Rattlesnakes group at Cranmore this season, and it was one of the best moves I could make for my physical and mental well-being. It have me time to be with my children and ski more than I had in decades.

So far, I have skied 68 days; coaching kids, training other coaches, assessing Eastern Slope Ski Club students, attending PSIA-AASI events, assessments and tryouts. I raced in Mountain Meisters, and played with friends on the 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Co. Team. My Little2 had their first ever "Powder Day" and we raced together in the annual Hannes Schneider Meister Cup, where I won my 15th big plate in the military division.

Most importantly, I was able to instill a love of the sport in my kids and in my "Danger Pups" group.

And still, somewhere along the way, I completed my PSIA Alpine Level 3 certification, and was selected for the PSIA - AASI Eastern Region Development Team and the A.C.E Team.

In a year that has been filled with change and chaos, skiing was my anchor that helped me weather the storm. It always has been, and will continue to be.

To all of my coaches, friends and family that have accompanied me on this long strange trip, thank you, and I cannot wait to make a lap with you again; this year or next.

Cheers!

❄️🎿❄️🎿❄️🎿❄️



Rossignol
Nordik eyewear

Our 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Co. Team finished 2nd in the Cranmore Mountain Meisters series this season, so no repeat and no vests, but it was a really good time and it was fun to link up with everyone again this year. I don't know if I will have time to play this game for a few years with my commitments to the Dev Team & ACE Team, but I will if I can.

Thank you to Ryan for your support. Thank you to Jay for pulling it together. Thank you to Bond for playing captain and team cheerleader. Thank you to the Cranmore Mountain Resort Race Ops Team for pulling off another great season.

Speechless......

Congratulations to the newly selected members of the ACE (Advanced Children's Educator) Team - Brendan, Ray and Jenni!

These three talented educators will begin their training in the 24-25 season and we look forward to when they are ready to run Children's Specialist assessment and educational events for you.

Also thank you to all of the candidates who participated in this competitive tryout. Your dedication to teaching children, snowsports instruction, our organization, and to your own development is inspiring. Keep up the good work and we hope to see you again at a future tryout.

Finally, thank you to Sugarbush for hosting this event!

PC: Keri Reid

What an amazing experience and honor.

I am excited, nervous and still in shock.

Congratulations to my teammates and I am so proud of every single person who put themselves on display this week.

That moment at the bottom of True Grit, when 40 of the best instructors in the east, bonded, chanting for "CHARLIE" so loud they could here us at the top and bottom, and probably all over the valley was magical.

The next 4-years are going to be an adventure!

Congratulations to the newly selected members of the Alpine Development Team - Ali, Brandon, Dara, Isa, James, Jessica, Joaquin, Kelsy, Luca, Michael, Nate, Philip, Quinn and Ray!

We can't wait for you to meet these new team members when they understudy events beginning in the 24-25 season. They will have up to four years to hone their skills in order to earn elevation onto our education staff.

Also thank you to all of the candidates for your dedication to snowsports instruction, our organization, and to your own development. We look forward to seeing you again at the next tryout.

Finally, thank you to Waterville Valley for hosting this event! Your hospitality was amazing and the conditions couldn't have been better!

Onward and upward.......

Level 3 is just another step in the journey.

Never stop learning!

🎿❄️🎿❄️🎿❄️









Nordik eyewear
Rossignol

As Miracle Max stated in "The Princess Bride":

“There's a big difference between mostly dead and all dead. Mostly dead is slightly alive."

Black Mountain to open for season after all JACKSON — Although Black Mountain is still for sale, it will remain in operation for one more year while a buyer is sought.

Happy September families......

This one is for you!

We will be doing a team night at Stan & Dan Sports this fall, and this sweet little set up is what Sara & I have been talking about for our athletes.

An affordable back country set up that is perfect for our kids.

The Jr. Tour is a frame binding, like Karl & I use, which is easier than pins and lighter than the Contour set ups.

No worries if you want to stick with the Contour kits, those will be available as well.

Stay tuned for more information.

That time of year is quickly approaching for our annual Peak Performance Ski Camps

Register for one of our Fall Camp sessions at Copper Mountain by SEPTEMBER 1st to take advantage of reduced rates!

Find more information on the website…peakperformancecamp.com

Another warm day on the glacier with Peak Performance Ski Camps for Day-81.

On the hill at 6:00 and off by 10:00, t-shirts before breakfast.

🎿❄️🎿❄️🎿❄️

Another great session of GS on the glacier for Day-80.

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Day-79 started on Snow, then progressed to a Hike.

How can something so fun be considered a job?

Is this Day-78 of the 2023 Ski Season, or Day-1 of the 2024 Season?

Regardless, it was a good day on skis.

❄️🎿❄️🎿❄️🎿❄️

Here we go again.......

Back on snow in T-36 hours and counting!

Join Peak Performance Ski Camp for our June 22-July 2 session on the majestic slopes of Mt Hood, for a premiere on snow training experience.

Registration deadline is May 30.

Visit peakperformancecamp.com to register.

https://skiracing.com/ski-racings-relationship-with-the-business-of-skiing/

I grew up on skis, and it shaped my life. My mission now, is to get as many people on skis as possible, and I could not agree more with the author of this article.

There are a few points that I want to highlight, in case you didn't read the article.

(1) "The community can work together to eliminate the unnecessary excesses available exclusively only to well-resourced clubs or individuals."

(2) "If only the children of the wealthy can participate and local kids can’t ski or ride, we both limit the future participant base and employee pool."

- I agree with this so much. When I was a kid in the 1980s, our local ski teams were filled with my classmates, and a smattering of 2nd home owners. Now, there is only a smattering of locals, because they can't afford it, and that makes my blood boil. You can't be a ski town if you don't have any skiers; that means that locals need to be able to access the hill, but they have been priced out.

- That is why, at Black Mountain in Jackson NH, we have a $199 season pass for the kids of the 3 counties around us in Maine & NH (no blackouts, $249 local adult, $219 local teen); and a $99 ESSC pass (no blackouts) for the kids who I ski with on Thursdays & Fridays, from Bartlett & Jackson.

https://www.blackmt.com/season-passes

- The kids of SAU9 & SAU13, in grades 1-6, have access to the "Eastern Slope Ski Club"; and they can get seasonal rentals, and 8-days on snow with their school, for ~$100 +/- paid to the club! (Scholarships are available.)

- By combining our passes with ESSC Jr. Program Rentals, we have managed to drop the costs of skiing, for the entire season (No Blackout Days) to less than $300, with equipment!

❄️🎿❄️🎿❄️🎿❄️

I grew up skiing through ESSC Jr. Program and a special Junior Program Pass. That was my entry point to the sport, and we are trying to keep that entry point open and affordable!

Photo: ESSC Snow Day, March 1990

https://skiracing.com/ski-racings-relationship-with-the-business-of-skiing/

I grew up on skis, and it shaped my life. My mission now, is to get as many people on skis as possible, and I could not agree more with the author of this article.

There are a few points that I want to highlight, in case you didn't read the article.

(1) "The community can work together to eliminate the unnecessary excesses available exclusively only to well-resourced clubs or individuals."

- YES, WE CAN!

Passes are on sale, the kids are in spring sports, and the lifts are closed....

That means that it is time to start getting ready for next season.

What's on your "Off Season" hit list?

❄️🎿❄️🎿❄️🎿❄️