At NASC, all campers are supervised 24-hours a day. It is difficult to convey the feeling of security and warmth the staff and facility provide, but the kids tell the story of the safe, warm, and friendly environment provided by NASC.
Dear Parents:
Let’s begin with an overview of the NASC philosophy. At NASC, our primary goal is to provide a safe, fun, and challenging ski race camp in which every camper’s needs are attended to and goals are achieved. For more than three decades, we have refined our program into a positive, well-rounded experience designed to further develop confident, competitive skiers while also offering opportunities to explore other outdoor activities in a supportive environment.
Most of our staff have been returning for many years and know the format and program extremely well. These highly trained coaches have built lasting relationships with hundreds of athletes and bring the experience necessary to manage everything from technical skill development to social interaction at camp. This consistency is critical for maintaining both safety and a positive ski racing environment.
At NASC, everything we do is rooted in positive coaching and progression. On the hill, our focus is on helping campers advance as ski racers—whether through skill drills, video analysis, or gate training in Slalom and Giant Slalom. Off the hill, participation becomes the entry point for activities like mountain biking, climbing, or swimming. We encourage campers to engage at their comfort level while introducing new skills and gently challenging them through a managed progression. Many athletes return year after year telling us how they continued a new sport they first tried at camp, which tells us our approach works.
The entire NASC staff is involved in supervising campers. From wake-up to bedtime, coaches and staff are present, with all activity times mandatory but with multiple choices to ensure variety and balance. Coaches live in the dorms with campers and are highly experienced in managing group dynamics, building cooperation, and fostering a positive camp experience.
We are not a command-style, “hup-two-three-four” program. Instead, we believe that athletes thrive when they take responsibility for their own growth—by cooperating with staff and peers, following the rules, trying hard, being punctual, and embracing the camp culture. Our structure is designed to help campers become more self-sufficient, build confidence, and raise self-esteem—both as ski racers and as individuals.
Dorm life is organized to ensure appropriateness across ages and genders. Boys’ and girls’ dorms are separate, each supervised by same-gender staff. Age groups are separated as follows: 8–12, 13–15, and 16–18. This structure helps ensure that older campers’ behavior, while age-appropriate, does not affect the younger groups.
Our rules are straightforward: no smoking, drinking, or drugs. Campers are asked to refrain from negative behaviors such as foul language, skipping activities, or littering. Thanks to the program’s structure, incidents are rare.
In conclusion, I’d like you to know three things about NASC: the safety of every child is our primary concern; the fun, positive learning environment is our second; and the development of ski racing skills is our third. The results speak for themselves: annually, 70–80% of campers return the following year.
If you have any questions or would like a list of references in your area, please don’t hesitate to call and discuss.
Sincerely,
Brad Alire
NASC Owner & Camp Director
