North American Ski Training & Climbing School

What North American Ski Training & Climbing School does

NASTC (North American Ski Training Center, dba North American Ski Training & Climbing School) is a private, founder-owned performance ski school headquartered in Truckee, California. Founded in 1994 by Chris Fellows, Jenny Fellows, and the late Mike Sodergren, the company delivers multi-day, total-immersion ski improvement clinics for advanced intermediate to expert skiers (levels 7-10) at premier resorts worldwide. The product portfolio is structured around three revenue streams: (1) all-mountain ski training clinics at domestic resorts (Palisades Tahoe, Sugar Bowl, Big Sky, Grand Targhee, Kicking Horse) and international destinations (Portillo Chile, St. Anton Austria, Dolomites Italy), priced from $945 for short domestic clinics to $13,995 for single-occupancy international packages; (2) AIARE-certified avalanche education (Level 1 at $575-$635, Level 2, and Rescue courses) delivered at Donner Summit; and (3) private backcountry guide services with UIAGM/IFMGA-certified guides.

The company operates with 51-100 employees (instructors are seasonal) and sells exclusively through a direct-to-consumer motion via phone (530-386-2102) and email, with no online booking system, paid advertising, or third-party distribution intermediaries. There is no proprietary technology platform; the underlying "technology" is a documented 3-part teaching methodology addressing fitness, equipment, technique, and tactics, codified in books and instructional videos authored by co-founder Chris Fellows. The go-to-market relies on organic social channels (Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube), email newsletter, and word-of-mouth driven by an 85% customer return rate over 32 years. NASTC is bootstrapped and self-funded with no disclosed venture capital, private equity, or institutional investment, and remains under direct control of co-founders Chris Fellows (Technical Director) and Jenny Fellows (COO/CFO).

Name

North American Ski Training & Climbing School

Legal name

North American Ski Training Center

Website

https://skinastc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

NASTC is a founder-owned, Truckee-based performance ski school founded in 1994 offering multi-day total-immersion ski clinics, AIARE avalanche certification courses, and backcountry guide services to advanced intermediate and expert skiers at premier resorts worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ski Training & Avalanche Education Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Other Schools and Instruction (6116), Tour Operators (56152)

akta.pro primary industry

Ski & Snowboard Schools (Instruction & Coaching) (THAAAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mountain Safety & Patrol Services (Avalanche Training, Rescue, Medical) (THAAAJAI), Guided Backcountry & Off-Piste Services (Ski Touring, Splitboarding, Heli/Cat Skiing) (THAAAJAD)

Keywords

• Ski instruction services
• Avalanche education
• Backcountry guide services
• Ski training clinics
• Mountain adventure travel

Headquarters

HQ city

Truckee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ski Training Clinics: Multi-day all-mountain ski improvement clinics sold as complete packages including instruction, lodging, lift tickets, and meals. International destinations include Portillo, Chile, St. Anton Austria, Dolomites Italy. Domestic destinations include Big Sky Montana, Palisades Tahoe, Grand Targhee Wyoming, Kicking Horse BC.
2. AIARE Avalanche Courses: AIARE Level 1 (24-hour certification), Level 2 (32-hour advanced), and Rescue courses taught in Truckee/Donner Summit. Revenue from course fees.
3. Backcountry Guide Services: Private day tours by arrangement in Donner Summit backcountry area.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NASTC is a performance ski school that sells multi-day, total immersion all-mountain ski improvement clinics for advanced intermediate to expert skiers at premier resorts worldwide (e.g., Portillo Chile, St. Anton Austria, Dolomites Italy, Big Sky Montana, Palisades Tahoe, Grand Targhee, Kicking Horse BC). The company also offers AIARE avalanche education courses (Level 1, Level 2, and Rescue) and private backcountry guide services at Donner Summit, all delivered by PSIA Alpine Team members and AMGA-certified guides in small groups of six or fewer.

Product overview

NASTC (North American Ski Training Center) is a performance ski school founded in 1994, offering multi-day total immersion ski improvement programs taught by PSIA Alpine Team members and AMGA-certified guides. The core product portfolio centers on All-Mountain Ski Training Clinics at premier resorts worldwide (Palisades Tahoe, Big Sky, Grand Targhee, Kicking Horse, Sugar Bowl, and international destinations), supplemented by a comprehensive AIARE avalanche education division (Level 1, Level 2, and Rescue courses) at Donner Summit, and Donner Summit Backcountry Guide Services for private day tours. International offerings include week-long camps at Portillo Chile, St Anton Austria, and Dolomites Italy. The company also publishes ski instruction books and videos through its co-founder Chris Fellows, and offers introductory backcountry lessons as a pathway into the AIARE curriculum. Programs address fitness, equipment, technique, and tactics through personalized coaching in groups of 6 or fewer.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• All-Mountain Ski Training Clinics Multi-day, total immersion ski improvement clinics for advanced intermediate to expert skiers (levels 7-10), taught by PSIA Alpine Team members and AMGA-certified guides in groups of six or fewer. Programs cover technique, tactics, equipment, and fitness coaching at premier resorts worldwide.
• AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course 24-hour introductory avalanche safety course covering avalanche formation, rescue techniques, transceiver and probe use, and snow study pit analysis. Includes online coursework, a 3-hour Zoom session, and two 8-hour fieldwork days on Donner Summit.
• AIARE Level 2 Avalanche Course 32-hour advanced avalanche science course building on Level 1 curriculum for backcountry travelers seeking professional-level hazard assessment skills.
• AIARE Rescue Course 1-day avalanche rescue course focusing on companion rescue protocols, mock rescue execution, and beacon search techniques.
• Donner Summit Backcountry Guide Service Private day tours guided by AMGA-certified and UIAGM-certified guides for advanced skiers exploring backcountry terrain around Donner Summit.
• Portillo, Chile Ski Adventure 8-day international ski camp at Hotel Portillo, Chile, including lodging, meals, lift tickets, and 6 days of small-group instruction. Features Heliski option and backcountry touring.
• St. Anton, Austria Ski Adventure 8-day all-mountain adventure at St. Anton am Arlberg region, including 7 nights lodging at a 4-star hotel, breakfast and dinner daily, and 6 days guided skiing.
• Dolomites, Italy Ski Adventure 8-day ski immersion in South Tyrol, Italy featuring the Sella Ronda circuit, technical coaching on varied terrain, and evening video analysis sessions.
• Big Sky, Montana Ski Camp 3-day all-mountain ski camp at Big Sky Resort including lodging at Huntley Lodge, buffet breakfasts, lift tickets, and small-group instruction.
• Palisades Tahoe Camps Multi-day camps at Palisades Tahoe including Jumpstart Your Season (2-day, levels 6-10) and All Conditions/All Terrain camps (3-day, levels 6-10) with video analysis and technical sessions.
• Grand Targhee, Wyoming Ski Camp 3-day all-mountain ski camp at Grand Targhee Resort with instruction and shuttle service to/from Idaho Falls or Jackson Hole airports.
• Kicking Horse, BC Ski Camp 4-day all-mountain ski camp at Kicking Horse Resort in British Columbia with transportation from Calgary airport included.
• Sugar Bowl Ski Camp 2-day all-mountain ski camp at Sugar Bowl Resort in the Lake Tahoe region.
• NASTC Ski Instruction Publications Ski improvement books and video series authored by Chris Fellows including Tactics for All Mountain Skiing, Total Skiing, Fitness for Skiing, and a five-part instructional video series.
• Intro to Backcountry Skiing Private Lessons 1-day introduction to backcountry skiing private lesson offered as a prerequisite for AIARE Level 1 enrollment.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mountain Madness: Seattle-based mountain guiding company offering climbing, mountaineering, and backcountry ski programs worldwide including Denali expeditions and international destinations. Similar to NASTC in providing multi-day immersive technical instruction across premium global destinations.
• Colorado Mountain School: Estes Park, Colorado-based independent mountaineering and backcountry ski school offering AIARE avalanche courses, alpine climbing, and backcountry ski guiding programs. Highly comparable to NASTC in its combination of avalanche education certification, backcountry instruction, and premium experiential adventure offerings across Colorado destinations.
• RMI Expeditions: Washington-based mountaineering and ski guiding company offering Denali expeditions, alpine climbing, and backcountry ski programs worldwide. Comparable to NASTC in providing high-end instructional adventure experiences with elite certified guides and multi-day immersive formats at premium global destinations.
• International Mountain Guides: Washington-based mountain guiding company offering climbing expeditions, ski touring, and avalanche education across global destinations including the Alps, Andes, and Cascades. Comparable to NASTC in experiential adventure model, elite instructor staffing, and AIARE course offerings.
• Exum Mountain Guides: Jackson Hole, Wyoming-based independent mountaineering school offering climbing, backcountry skiing, and ski mountaineering programs in the Tetons since 1927. Similar to NASTC as an independent mountain school operating premium instruction at a flagship North American resort destination.
• American Alpine Institute: Bellingham, Washington-based independent mountaineering and backcountry ski school offering AIARE avalanche courses, alpine climbing, and ski mountaineering programs. Directly comparable to NASTC in providing premium technical instruction with similar customer profiles (advanced skiers seeking certification and immersive training).
• American Avalanche Institute: Independent avalanche education provider offering AIARE-certified Level 1, Level 2, and professional avalanche courses across the western US. Direct competitor to NASTC's avalanche education segment at Donner Summit, serving the same backcountry skiing customer base with similar AIARE curriculum.

Others

• AIARE: American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education - the certifying body that establishes curriculum standards and credentials for the avalanche education courses taught by NASTC. Indirectly comparable as the standards and ecosystem body governing NASTC's AIARE Level 1, 2, and Rescue course offerings.

Regional players

• Telluride Helitrax: Colorado-based heli-ski operator providing guided backcountry skiing experiences in the San Juan Mountains. Comparable premium backcountry ski experience provider to NASTC, though focused on helicopter-accessed terrain rather than resort-based instruction.

Broad incumbents

• Vail Resorts Ski School: Operates ski schools at multiple major ski resorts under the Vail Resorts portfolio including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Park City, and Heavenly. Broad incumbent in the ski instruction market with wider product range and significantly larger scale than NASTC, serving beginner through expert segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SKINASTC
• YouTubeyoutube.com/skinastc
• Facebookfacebook.com/nastc.tahoe
• Instagraminstagram.com/skiNASTC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/north-american-ski-training

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about North American Ski Training & Climbing School