An Introduction to the National Ski Academy
The National Ski Academy (NSA) is a non-profit organization that was established in 1987 to provide an environment for student/athletes to maximize individual potential through the pursuit of alpine ski racing excellence, academic achievement and personal growth.
We are an Alpine Ontario member club, but without a hill or clubhouse. Our home at 200 Oak Street in Collingwood provides a wealth of facilities designed to benefit elite ski racers in Ontario. The renovated 12,000 square foot mansion offers classrooms, study hall, a gymnasium and weight room, tuning room, boarding for up to 35 student/athletes and a kitchen with a full time chef.
Over the past 24 years, the NSA has offered integrated Academic/Fitness/Ski Racing programs with boarding as an option. These programs have helped to develop Ontario Team and National Team ski racers and many of the top coaches in the region.
In addition to elite ski racing programs, the NSA prides itself on its comprehensive academic programs and “education that travels”. NSA graduating students have achieved a combined average of 84% over the past five years.
In recent years, the NSA’s academic offerings have expanded to include night school and summer school for elite athletes engaged in other sports and other members of the community requiring customized education.
Our programs have also become more flexible for student/athletes who wish to train and race at their home ski club and use the NSA facilities for academics, fitness and summer camps. We also work with an athlete’s home school to ensure a smooth transition should they wish to finish the second semester at home.
We have taken the most desired components and developed a menu of new programs available for the 2010/2011 season. A listing of these programs follows. More detailed program information can be found on our website: www.nsa.on.ca
Train & Race with the NSA: All-Inclusive K2 and FIS programs
These programs are all-inclusive packages that include camps, race fees, travel and accommodation, transportation, coaching, fitness, NSA uniform and private school education. Our highest commitment level includes up to 130 days on snow and up to 35 FIS race starts. New for the 2010/2011 season, we are offering a regional FIS program which includes local J series races and selective FIS races.
Train & Race at your Home Club: Program Options
Many athletes would prefer to continue training and racing at their home club but struggle with academic and logistical challenges. The NSA has separated a number of its offerings into new programs targeted at club racers. A listing of these new programs follows.
K2 Midweek Support Program
The K2 Midweek Support Program was designed to help K2 athletes and their families with logistical and educational support to enable midweek ski training at their home club in the Collingwood area. The 8 week program includes transportation, lodging, meals, fitness, supervised study hall and tutoring. Transportation includes pickup in Toronto Wed. evening and drop-off/pick-up from home ski club on Thurs/Fri.) This is a limited program and filling fast!
High School Credits
The NSA is a private school accredited by the Ontario Ministry of Education. Single credit courses are available in a number of formats including night school and summer school. Typical student teacher ratio is 8:1. Tutoring services are also available.
Boarding
Boarding is available for either the first semester or second semester.
Fall Camp in Switzerland
The NSA has been running its fall camp in Saas Fee Switzerland for the past 20 years. The full 7 week camp goes from Aug. 15th to Oct. 8th and includes up to 35 days on snow and 2 first semester courses. The NSA rents villas in town at the base of the mountain and brings its own chef, teachers and coaches. We welcome teams from other clubs and guest racers to join us for the first three week pre-camp and optionally for the full 7 weeks. Accommodations and lane space for 2010 have already been booked, so if you are interested, please contact us ASAP!
Gym & Fitness Facilities
The NSA Gym and fitness facilities are available to any AOA member club at no cost. However we ask that a booking is made in advance and coordinated through your head coach or racing administrator. The NSA also runs an in-house injury prevention and conditioning program that includes a biomechanical assessment and testing. These programs are available at an additional cost.
For further information:
Jurg Gfeller
Director
National Ski Academy
200 Oak Street
Collingwood, ON L9Y 2Y1
705-444-1617
info@nsa.on.ca