Each year in the spring Canmore Nordic Centre stockpiles snow, protecting it so it keeps through the summer. Then late in October they push it out into a small loop for early on snow training, naming it Frozen Thunder. This year, with an exceptionally long and hot summer there was only enough snow to make a 1km loop, but it was the best 1km loop I've ever skied.
We were there for a 10 day camp, focusing on adjusting to on snow skiing and one more big hour week before the season kicks off at West Yellowstone. The majority of training was on the Frozen Thunder loop, just 5 minutes from the hotel. We also used the nordic centres gym, running trails around Canmore, and drove into Banff for a big ski around Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. The quality of training was phenomenal, chasing the Gold Team guys surrounded by the Canadian Rockies was an amazing experience.
We were there for a 10 day camp, focusing on adjusting to on snow skiing and one more big hour week before the season kicks off at West Yellowstone. The majority of training was on the Frozen Thunder loop, just 5 minutes from the hotel. We also used the nordic centres gym, running trails around Canmore, and drove into Banff for a big ski around Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. The quality of training was phenomenal, chasing the Gold Team guys surrounded by the Canadian Rockies was an amazing experience.
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| View from the hotel |
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| Canmore Nordic Centre |
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| The beautiful ribbon of white |
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| Getting to put the kilometers in with Gold Team skier Miles and Ben |
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| Ran the course that will be used in the World Cup this spring |
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| The wax and gear room right off the loop |
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| Skiing up Moraine Lake road |
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| Mary and Matt at Lake Moraine in Banff National Park |
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| Ben at the shore of Lake Louise |
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| Back of the van, enjoying the ice crystal art on the window |
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| Great views of Canmore from the Highline Trail on our way to the gym |
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| Great strength facilities at the nordic centre |
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| A mix of man-made and natural snow extended the loop to just under 2km by the end of the camp |
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| Rogan loves it |
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| Gold Team skier, Mary, working with coach Colin |
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| Ben putting in the kilometers in some spectacular surroundings |
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| Stretching and activation before some on snow speed work |
Mid week we had the opportunity to throw down with some Canadian xc and biathlon skiers in a 10km time trail. It felt great putting a bib on and getting rid of any early season race nerves. Also the small laps guaranteed lots of time skiing with some of North America's best.
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| Mary flying into the finish |
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| Paige pushing hard over the top, lap after lap. |
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| Deedra digging deep on the last lap |
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| Lost track of laps, thanks for helping my oxygen starved brain out Colin and Tom |
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| Some pano and HDR photos of the stadium and towering Rockies all around |
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| Definitely will be coming back to this, what an amazing experience |
It was 10 days of great views and even better training. Finishing up the camp I feel comfortable on snow and more excited and ready to race then I ever have. Can't wait for the race season to start in West, it's going to be a fun one.
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