We had the chance to hang out and catch up with the head ski coaches at SASS to talk about their summer in the Southern Hemisphere and how epic it's been in Argentina. These pro skiers have different agendas in the ski world, but all came to shred massive pow and coach clients during their summer at SASS. Check out what the crew had to say their about favorite experiences and why they'll be getting SASStastic for life.

GrindTV: How long have you guys been a part of SASS family?

James Heim: It's my 3rd year with SASS

Photo: Jack Pollner

Garrett: I think it's my 6th year, or maybe my 7th? When did SASS start?

Photo: Jack Pollner

Michelle: This is my second year with SASS.

Photo: Jack Pollner

GrindTV: Summer with SASS is coming to a close, how has this season been for you guys?

Garrett: It's been awesome.

Michelle: It's been really good with the ski groups because we have a really good camper to coach ratio. We've just been cruising around, going at a really high pace, and it's easy to break off and do whatever the clients want to do.

Heim: Ya, its been really good. The groups have been really well oriented with the mountain, so if some want to go hike or hit cliffs, it's easy to send them on their way with different coaches. Most of the skiers have been really good. For us it's been really, really fun.

Garrett: The clients are coming in ready for action. Many have never really have used a beacon, so I've been enjoying teaching how to use it. I've had a great time with that.

GrindTV: What are some highlights of this season?

Michelle: This a huge experience so a lot of kids have never done anything remotely close to this. I think just watching them jump into it and have them come out stoked with a big smile is cool to see.

Heim: I think for a lot of campers the highlights have been hiking the terrain. A lot of people come from the the East coast so they never really hike runs, and here they're getting to ride different terrain by hiking to it. They get to travel through backcountry where there is avalanche potential and think that's a cool experience for them.

Grindtv: What have the conditions at Cerro Catedral been like this summer? Powder, fluff, todo?

Together: Everything....

Garrett: It's pretty much how the game is. You go places and sometimes you have to wait and that's part of being in a weather dependent sport. You have to be patient and pay your dues and sometimes you get really good days and sometimes you get bad days.

Heim: The majority of days have been ski days because there's been so much snow. There's been a couple days where it's been snowing so hard, that the upper part of the mountain is closed, but then you know that the next day will be really good.

Michelle: I think being at a camp like SASS where we primarily hike gives us the opportunity to ski good snow even after it hasn't snowed for a while.

GrindTV: What's the terrain like at Cerro Catedral?

Heim: The mountain here is amazing and the terrain is pretty cool. The trees here are amazing. They're some of the most beautiful trees I've ever skied through.

Garrett: I think they're better than Japan even. On the right day it's magical in there. Super green moss with parrots flying around and when it's good, it's really good.

Heim: And it's long...

Michelle: Ya, in one run you go from skiing these granite spires, to epic trees with little poppers and pillows, then down to skiing through bamboo. It's varied terrain and surroundings but with super long runs.

Garrett: The big lines out by the Frey are very big, high consequence lines and you're way out there so you have to teach the respect of the mountains.

GrindTV: How's camp life?

Garrett: It's Wiiiild.

Giggles from all.

Garrett: It's funnier than fun and full of culture.

Michelle: I'd say personally I don't really have that much time on my hands because there's something to do all the time. Whether it's yoga class, Spanish class, going into town, or even just a little bit of relaxation, we're definitely kept pretty busy.

Heim: Ya it's pretty fun. I'd say the difference with this camp versus a normal summer ski camp is that you do ski all day, especially when it's good. We go out pretty early and we don't come back till pretty late because the mountain is open until 5 o'clock everyday. By the time you get back, everyone is pretty tired.

GrindTV: But you guys are able to let loose a bit, here and there?

Garrett: Absolutely! I mean it's the ski world, we're wild people we live our life to the fullest on a daily basis..

GrindTV: Michelle, can you talk about the plastic bottle greenhouse and how's the building process is going?

Michelle: It's going super well. Mark Abama was down here for a super long time working on it, and James, aka Hiemer has been working on it and a lot of people have been helping out. Basically we just need to get it to the school and get it in the ground. It's cool, It will give the students a good opportunity to learn about where their food comes from, how to grow their own food and to learn about recycling.

*Editors note: The greenhouse has been donated to Bariloche School 315 which is a local primary school near the base of the mountain.

GrindTV: What have been the standout moments this season?

Garrett: There hasn't been that much skiing for me this year, so I've just been hanging with the crew and I'm here for moral support. I don't have an ACL so I'm here to support the everyone and make little edits, and the nightlife is my highlight.

Heim: It's been really cool to watch the clients go out there and have a good time. There's been so many good days and some of these guys have never skied anything like this. That's been one of the better things for me, just watching these kids shred. Some are hitting cliffs and stomping it and coming away so stoked which is really cool.

Michelle: Watching the kids progress and being apart of that has been awesome. Emma Landy definitely stood out to me as girl that rips and I l love seeing that. I remember one off day, she said "It's not okay that the guys are going bigger than me right now." She just wanted to get out there and charge. She let her skiing speak for herself and that was really cool to see.

GrindTV: What's next for you guys? How will you be spending you're last days here?

Garrett: I'm looking forward to getting healthy, and plan to film for the Traveling Circus in the upcoming months.

Heim: I'll be training throughout the fall, and will be ready to film in January.

Michelle: I hope to get back on board with Matchstick (Productions) and want to get back into park. I was injured in March 09 so this summer has been the first time I've been back on snow skiing consecutive days, so I'm looking forward to having a full season.

Now, as the cold of winter loosens its grip and spring weather creeps into the Patagonia region, SASS ski coaches find their way back to North America. We're stoked they let us in on on the happenings of their summer. Be on the look out for Michelle, Garrett, and James- they'll be popping up all over this coming season, just you wait.

You should know that South America Snow Sessions is summer shred excursion on a totally different level. The experience gained from slaying through the Argentinean Andes during the North American summer will create some of the most memorable moments of your life.

This year, SASS is holding a "Women's Centric Trip" that is bound to blow minds. The line up of ladies includes Jamie Anderson, Chanelle Sladics, Kjersti Buaas, Michelle Parker and others making sure the August 17-31 trip is going to be all-time.

Check out the what SASS has planned for the trip, and head over to SAsnow.com to become apart of this amazing experience!!

GrindTV Newswire: (June 23, 2010) SASS, South America Snow Sessions, is pleased to announce a new trip to their already packed summer line up while in Argentina this summer. From August 17th-31st SASS will be offering a women centric trip that will feature many of the worlds top professional skiers and riders, as well as a community service project to help give back to the community of San Carlos Bariloche for their hospitality to SASS over the years.

Professionals in attendance will include: Two time X Games Gold Medalist Jamie Anderson, Chanelle Sladics, Michelle Parker, Kjersti Buaas, Vera Janssen, Natalie Gough, Sarka Pancochova and more...

Over the course of 15 days participants of this trip will not only be able to ski and board on Cerro Catedral Alta Patagonia, the largest ski resort in South America, but will also be able to participate in a SASS community service project for the city of Bariloche. The session will wrap up with the 4th annual "Chicas Only" event that brings women from all over the world to the terrain park at Cerro Catedral Alta Patagonia for a day of making new friends and riding together

And of course, the trip will include the SASS Experience of a Lifetime for each client. Luke Shelley, Director of Marketing for SASS is looking forward to the special session, saying, "Everyone at SASS couldn't be more excited. This is a one of a kind women's session that has an all time lineup of pros, real winter conditions to ski & ride in, culture, education, wellness, yoga, wine tasting; even a chocolate factory tour. I can't wait to see the magic that happens during these two weeks."

For more information on this trip, please visit -- SAsnow.com

GrindTV Newswire: (June 23, 2010) SASS, South America Snow Sessions, is pleased to announce a new trip to their already packed summer line up while in Argentina this summer. From August 17th-31st SASS will be offering a women centric trip that will feature many of the worlds top professional skiers and riders, as well as a community service project to help give back to the community of San Carlos Bariloche for their hospitality to SASS over the years.

Professionals in attendance will include: Two time X Games Gold Medalist Jamie Anderson, Chanelle Sladics, Michelle Parker, Kjersti Buaas, Vera Janssen, Natalie Gough, Sarka Pancochova and more...

Over the course of 15 days participants of this trip will not only be able to ski and board on Cerro Catedral Alta Patagonia, the largest ski resort in South America, but will also be able to participate in a SASS community service project for the city of Bariloche. The session will wrap up with the 4th annual "Chicas Only" event that brings women from all over the world to the terrain park at Cerro Catedral Alta Patagonia for a day of making new friends and riding together.

And of course, the trip will include the SASS Experience of a Lifetime for each client. Luke Shelley, Director of Marketing for SASS is looking forward to the special session, saying, "Everyone at SASS couldn't be more excited. This is a one of a kind women's session that has an all time lineup of pros, real winter conditions to ski & ride in, culture, education, wellness, yoga, wine tasting; even a chocolate factory tour. I can't wait to see the magic that happens during these two weeks."

For more information on this trip, please visit -- http://www.sasnow.com/v3/packages/womens-snowboard-session/

Many of us are having serious shred withdrawals as local lifts have stopped turning as summer creeps closer, but fear not- you can still feed your shred addiction by getting face shots in South America with South America Snow Sessions.

South America Snow Sessions, known to most as SASS, is unlike any other ski and snowboard camp in the world. Located in the picturesque town of Bariloche, Argentina, SASS is the ultimate summer camp destination. This experience of a lifetime gives you the chance to rip chest deep powder in middle of summer and lets you do it along side your favorite pros.

Most summer camps offer Signature Sessions, but SASS offers Signature Seasons. Instead of having one pro come for a just week of camp, the SASS Pros come to shred the entire summer and ride along campers sharing their knowledge. They choose to totally integrate themselves into the Argentine lifestyle by shredding endless pow and backcountry booters all while enjoying a different culture and becoming close with every camper they coach.

This summer Garrett Russell, Michelle Parker, and Dash Longe will all be returning to SASS as the full time ski coaching staff. We caught up with all 3 to see what they had to say about their upcoming adventure.


Garrett Russell getting after it on a rail in Argentina. Photo: Thomas Finsterbusch

Garrett Russell is a man of many talents. He simply sends it on any size booter, gets tricky on rails, and is a renegade in the backcountry. If he's not slaying somewhere in the steep 'n deep, you can find him cruising around with Line's Traveling Circus. Garrett knows how to have a good time whether it's ripping down pristine pillows, boosting big airs, or busting it out on dance floor- G. Funk is the man.

Garrett is an OG in the SASS family and has been a coach since 2004. He is headed to South America for his sixth season. Here's what he had to say about this summer.

What are you most excited for this summer at SASS?

I am mostly stoked to see new and old faces. Plus sharing the radness of Argentina with the world. And of course crushing the mountain!

What makes SASS different than all the other camps?

SASS is different because it feels like one big family. I don't know how other camps run but I know SASS is unique and authentic with an experience of a lifetime!


Michelle Parker getting after it.

Michelle Parker may be one of the fiercest, yet friendliest female competitors on the ski scene. This Squaw Valley native is coming off of a knee injury, but is gearing up to set it off in Argentina. She's known for her go get 'em attitude and smooth style. This year marks Michelle's second season with SASS.

How did you get involved with SASS?

I just dove in head first and left knowing that SASS was the place for me in the summer months. The experience captured me! Such a special place!

What are you most excited for this summer at SASS?

I'm most excited for the overall experience...the good people, amazing food, endless mountains, epic powder, the culture, the scenery, the opportunity to take college classes, and brushing up on my spanish! SASS is the ultimate camp experience. I can't think of any other sumer camps that encompass all of what SASS represents!!


Dash Longe sending it in Argentina. Photo: Ashley Barker

Dash Longe is no stranger to the pro scene. This backcountry ripper is returning to Argentina for the second time. Known for his epic video parts with Teton Gravity Research, Dash is consistently on top of the ski game and plans to crush it this summer. He is fresh off a 3rd place finish at Red Bull Cold Rush, and looking to have a fun summer riding with all the SASS campers.

What makes SASS different than all the other camps?

I have never been anywhere else that you can ride pow, hit cliffs and jumps and get amazing tree skiing in the summer. It is real skiing and snowboarding at SASS, not water skiing on a slush pond.

What are you most excited for this summer at SASS?

I love having a bit of a ski/shred vacation because I don't really get to just ski for my self during the winter months. Hanging out and ridding with friends is what the sport is all about.

We're excited to see these pro skiers rip it up in South America this summer. Head on over to SAsnow.com to learn more about SASS and sign up for your chance to shred with these powerhouses in the adventure of a lifetime.