Registration for Fall/Winter will open June 23, 2023
Ages
Adults
Season
September – March
SCHEDULE
Fall
- Mondays, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, Strength Training, Winsport
- Thursdays, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, Various Calgary locations AND Canmore Nordic Centre
- Saturdays, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, Running, Hiking, Biking, Roller Skiing (optional), various locations
Winter
- Mondays, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, Strength Training, Winsport
- Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, Technique Night at Confederation Park Golf Course (8-10 Sessions)
- Thursdays 6:30 – 8:00 pm, Interval Night at Confederation Park Golf Course AND Canmore Nordic Centre
- Saturdays, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, various mountain locations (Canmore Nordic Centre, Banff National Park, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park)
Support will be provided at several races throughout the winter, tentatively: Local AB Cups, Lake Louise to Banff Relay, Canadian Birkie, and Cookie Race.
LOCATIONS
Weekend skiing will be at various locations around the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country aiming for best available grooming. We coordinate 80% of the time with other foothills programs to facilitate parenting and carpools
COST
- Program fee – $595
- Spouse Add-On Price-$200
- Foothills Nordic Membership (during registration)
- Confederation Trail User Fees (during registration)
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This is Calgary’s most popular Masters ski program with a majority of athletes returning year over year. It has been running for over 10 years and continues to improve based on athlete feedback. This program is built for intermediate and advanced skiers who want to improve their fitness and ski technique in both classic and skating styles in a fun group atmosphere. Group training and varied sessions build motivation. Evening sessions target strength and high intensity. Weekends are focused on long distance to build aerobic capacity and technical development. On-snow Tuesdays are focused on technique. The expectation is that skiers start the season with a base of fitness in September. What to expect:
- This program builds fitness through application of a training plan which peaks for the January to March Loppet / Race season. We use 4-5 week meso-cycles alternately focussing on endurance, threshold, and peak speed to prepare you to ski further, more efficiently.
- Trained and certified coaches who understand that not all masters skiers have a competitive background. Most of our coaches have learned to ski efficiently as adults and deliver the program based on the needs of the masters skier (longer recovery times, injury prevention, social aspects).
- Expect technique feedback at every practice.
- Fall dryland sessions offer both roller-ski and alternative workouts.
- Team Strength training at Winsport provides a professionally developed program using top quality weight-lifting equipment. The Winsport trainers can adapt the program to meet your specific needs whether you are new to weightlifting or are nursing an injury.
- Participating in Loppets and races is encouraged as these provide goals and measures of improvement. Wax-support at loppet and races includes glide wax advice and coach-applied grip wax
- Two or three training days will be at Confed to support operations such as snow farming, setup and takedown.
Skiers will be split into groups by ability and ski-speed. Self selection in registration is based on the following criteria:
Masters 1:
- I like to ski 15-20 km in 3 hours
- I like the social aspect of the program at a slower pace.
- I am new to training, but want to improve fitness and learn about intervals and meso-cycles.
- Skin skis are my go to
Masters 2:
- I like to ski 20-30 km in 3 hours
- I like social skis and competitions such as loppets and fun informal races.
- I am familiar with intervals and the benefits they bring to overall fitness
- Skin skis or waxing, depending on the conditions
Maters 3:
- I can comfortably ski 30+km in 3 hours
- I enjoy competitions and I am building fitness to peak for a specific race
- I know my HR zones and love a MaxSpeed workout.
- I’ll apply klisters instead of resorting to skin-skis
Note: This is not a learn-to-ski program: if you are not comfortable skiing 15+km in 3 hours, the Adult Learn to Ski program will be a better option for you.
EQUIPMENT
- Skate roller skis and skate poles with Carbide Pole Tips for roller skiing
- Helmet for optional roller skiing: no helmet=no roller skiing
- Skate Ski Equipment
- Classic Ski Equipment
- Headlamp
- Runners
- Heart Rate watch
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENT/OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Foothills Nordic is able to run high quality programs for a reasonable cost due to the volunteer support from our families. While the Masters group does not have a volunteer bond, volunteering is encouraged. Numerous volunteer opportunities are available to help with the club, including helping at Foothills hosted races, and maintaining Confederation Park trails. Masters-specific volunteer nights will also be scheduled.
For information on the volunteer bond and other volunteer opportunities available throughout the year, see Club Volunteer Opportunities.
COACHING STAFF
Colin Norman, CANSI IV, NCCP T2T
Jenia Tishkina-Norman, CANSI III, NCCP CC
Heather Opseth, CANSI I, NCCP CC
Scott Jensen, CANSI I, NCCP CC
Emma Osness, CANSI I, Biathlon Silver
MORE INFORMATION
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE E-MAIL ADULT PROGRAMMING COORDINATOR.
Foothills Nordic Ski Club Refund Policy applies.