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Ask us, We Answer
Do you have a Nordic training, technique, equipment, travel, or event question? Just email us at weanswer@skipost.com |
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NNF
National Nordic Foundation
Yesterday I attended the National Nordic Foundation's spring planning meeting. If you do not know, "The National Nordic Foundation exists to Support Tomorrow's Nordic Stars Today."
If you would like to see a continual stream of U.S. athletes continue to be a force on the World Stage the NNF is a key factor in making this happen. This is because the NNF makes it financially viable for athletes ready for international competition to make it to the starting line. Without the NNF's support of key Pillar Projects many athletes would not be able to continue to chase their athletic dreams year after year.
A key to any Nation's sport success is keeping its top athletes in the sport long enough to reach their potential. We can only hope to accomplish this by minimizing the non-athletic hurdles so our nation's athletes can put in the years of focused dedication necessary to succeed.
"The mission of the National Nordic Foundation (NNF) is to provide support for the athlete development pipeline of US Cross Country and Nordic Combined skiing. The NNF accomplishes this development goal through raising funds and distribution to its "Pillar Projects" that serve the next generation of athletes who represent the United States on the World Stage."
When I see an athlete that I know, and support, succeed I get teary eyed. If you get teary eyed when an athlete you have followed, and perhaps supported, succeed I suggest you consider supporting the NNF and then we can all enjoy their success together.
Last winter the NNF invested over $300,000 in key Pillar Projects to support tomorrow's stars today. For more information about NNF and how you can contribute click here.
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Haig Glacier
Next week we will do a feature on where to ski in the Summer.
Today we let you know about a Camp at Haig Glacier in Canada.
Join coach and elite athlete Matt Liebsch and Endurance United for a week of hiking and summer skiing on Haig Glacier in the Canadian Rockies.
This has been a great camp the last 2 summers... summary and pictures can be found here skinnyski.com/ .
The daily routine includes: early breakfast, hike 45 minutes up to the glacier, ski on fresh piston-bulley tracks until noon. Hike back down for lunch, stretch, take a nap, read, short (optional) hike or strength, eat dinner, review ski technique video from the morning, go to bed, get up, repeat.
The camp fees include grooming, helicopter transport of your gear up the mountain, 3 hearty meals prepared by camp staff, bunk beds with separate sleep areas for men and women.
The ski program emphasizes easy distance altitude skiing. Technique coaching will take place most mornings and will include video analysis. Most of the mornings will be for easy distance skate and classic skiing. This camp is physically challenging due to the
alpine environment, changing weather conditions, long distances, and moderately high altitude.
This is a back-country camp manned with seasonal staff, radiophone and satellite communications with ranger station and helicopter support teams down below (no cell phone reception on the glacier). There are hot showers, TV w/movies, full kitchen, bunk
house, and strength area.
This has been a great camp the last 2 summers... summary and pictures can be found here skinnyski.com/ .
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Which Bliz for the Trails, Nordic & Town?
OK I busted my old sunglasses and need new ones. All your advertising convinced me to check out Bliz. Now that I did I realized that Bliz are quite affordable so I will get some. But which one? What model should I get for Nordic and Trail running that will not make me look like a race geek if I wear them around town?
It is a glass worn by Nordic World Cup winner John Martin Sundby and Noah Hoffman when racing, and also Emilia Forsberg when ski mountainering or trail running and members of the Salomon US Trail Running Team and me as my about town RX glasses. It fits a wide range of faces and can be adapted to make it frameless and also comes with both low light and bright light lens sets.
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Wax Nerds Wanted
Why Start? Because Start delivers the most complete wax system available. More kickers, more gliders, more fluor... Get More with Start.
Apply to be a Start Waxing Ambassador & Hometown Hero.
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Noah Hoffman
Start's his season
I am SORE today! Yesterday was my first real training day of the year. It was all upper body based (with a two hour double pole and strength), and now I can barely lift my arms.
My training plan for the first several weeks is way more specific than I am used to this time of year. Here's what I'm looking at for the first week of training, beginning yesterday.
- Wed. a.m.: Outdoor Double Pole on Roller Skis
- Wed. p.m.: Strength
- Thurs. a.m.: Treadmill Classic Technique Roller Skis
- Thurs. p.m.: Treadmill Skate Technique Roller Skis
- Fri. a.m.: Mountain Bike and Roller Board
- Fri. p.m.: Strength
- Sat. a.m.: Outdoor Double Pole on Roller Skis
- Sat. p.m.: Off
- Sun. a.m.: Run and Roller Board
- Sun. p.m.: Road Bike
- Mon. a.m.: Strength
- Mon. p.m.: Treadmill Classic Technique Roller Skis
- Tues. a.m.: Treadmill Skate Technique Roller Skis
- Tues. p.m.: Outdoor Double Pole on Roller Skis
I'm a little bummed not to have very many sessions where I get to do the training methods that I really enjoy. (Those would be trail running, mountain biking and skinning.) However, I do not believe my general fitness and leg strength will be a limiting factor next year. They never have been in the past. I believe this plan, which is designed to address my weaknesses, will help me reach my goals next season.
The classic technique work on the treadmill this morning went well. I started off with a couple of dry-land activities including a static plank core exercise, arm and leg swings, a kick-double pole imitation drill and some weighted arm pull-downs to work on a good arm position for a powerful poling motion. I then moved to the treadmill where I did kick-double pole technique without poles for an hour. I then picked up one pole, without a strap on it, and continued doing kick-double pole for the remainder of the session. (I posted my technique coach Zach Caldwell's thoughts on my technique yesterday.)
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Becoming a Nordic Ski Instructor
How does one go about getting certified as a nordic ski instructor?
Thanks for any insight that you can lend.
From Scotty McGee, PSIA Nordic Team Coach:
Hi P!
Thanks for asking...PSIA/AASI (Professional Ski Instructors of America/American Association of Snowboard Instructors) has 9 divisions nationally, and while we do agree on Certification Standards, the process in each division varies somewhat. In some divisions, the first step is through a member school, so you may want/need to get affiliated with a nordic center/ski school first.
The divisional websites typically have a roadmap to certification, or certification handbook, to lay out the process from joining to getting Level 3 certification. Here are the websites for the various divisions (One might need a map to determine where divisional boundaries lie in some regions). Eastern: www.psia-e.org, Central: www.psia-c.org, Rocky Mountain: www.psia-rm.org, Norther Rocky Mountain: www.psia-nrm.org, Intermountain: www.psia-i.org, Northern Intermountain: www.psia-ni.org, Western: www.psia-w.org, Northwest: www.psia-nw.org, Alaska: www.psia-a.org.
The Level 1 certification is typically the first stepping stone, usually a 2 or 3 day event, and is a combination of clinic and assessment for meeting the certification standards at that level. These events are highly educational, and orient participants to technical and teaching models, movement analysis, and resources that the organization, divisionally and nationally, has to offer.
The Level 1 process usually involves a workbook, to be done prior to registering (workbooks available online), which involve referencing and applying information found in the manuals. The Core Concepts Teaching Manual, and the Nordic Technical Manual may suffice, but the workbooks also call for information found in the Children's Educator Manual, to ensure that instructors have exposure to considerations and tools for teaching kids.
Check out your divisional website to glean more details, and consider the www.thesnowpros.org (national) website as an another invaluable resource. I hope I've answered your question; please let me (or SkiPost) know if there's more you'd like to know.
Best,
Scotty McGee
PSIA Nordic Team Coach
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Mobile Wax Room-Workshop For Sale
1987 Barth 24' Mobile Office
The ultimate Mobile Shop/wax room/work/office.
Barth Mobile offices are seldom available.
All Aluminum Construction, over $100,000 when new.
Engine, chevy 454, runs great, recently serviced. 10+miles/ gallon.
Double wide, aluminum machine grade tool boxes.
Love it just too small for our needs. Very low mileage for its age. We are looking for a good home so that we can be sure that this vintage vehicle will receive the care and appreciation that it deserves. Asking $12,000
email dhenryrep@gmail.comcom
More details here gearwest.com/barthphotos
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A Fund-Raising Opportunity for Ski Clubs and Programs
Looking for ways to raise funds for your local ski or biathlon program?
Concep
t2 may be able to help. If you have plans for holding an auction or raffle to raise funds for your club, we can sell you a Concept2 SkiErg at half price to be used as an auction item or raffle prize.
If you'd like more information on this offer please contact Josh Carlson at joshc@concept2.com.
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Summit Nordic Ski Club
head coach
SNSC is an established Nordic ski club located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, home to four outstanding Nordic ski centers, as well as Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin and Copper Mountain alpine ski resorts . Located just 75 miles west of Denver, this outdoor oriented community offers excellent training facilities including 40 miles of detached paved bike paths and an extensive trail
network.
"The primary mission of the Summit Nordic Ski Club is to provide the youth of Summit County with a well-balanced ski racing program including fitness, self-esteem, and character building through training
and competition within a nurturing environment. '
Responsibilities Include:
Coaching junior skiers from our Prep, Devo and Comp programs including those who are aspiring to compete at Jr Nationals and the Scando Cup.
Head Coach will be travelling with athletes to appropriate racing opportunities and camps. Develop a regular schedule of practice and training for our athletes.
Qualifications Include:
Ability and desire to work with all age groups and abilities
Strong communication and organizational skills
Previous coaching experience preferred
This year around position involves coaching and mentoring U12 thru U20 aged athletes and to help foster and grow Nordic Racing in our community.
Reply with a cover letter and resume to:
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Nordic Center Director
at Snow Mountain Ranch/YMCA of the Rockies,
Granby CO
Position Summary:
Responsible for managing and directing all operational aspects of the Nordic Center, including year-round trail development and maintenance, and coordinating year-round special events. Manages specialty retail outlets on property.
To see an overview of the position, including requirements, compensation, and the application process, please view:
http://snowmountainranch.org/work/year-round-employment/
ABOUT THE SNOW MOUNTAIN RANCH NORDIC CENTER
More than 20,000 skiers per year visit our property covering 5,200 acres of mountain meadows at an altitude of 9,000 feet. Snow Mountain Ranch's Nordic Center has more than 100 kilometers of groomed trails accommodating everyone from the first-time classic cross-country skier or snowshoer to the elite racer/skate skier. We are proud to host members of the U.S. Paralympics Nordic team for their training, regional races, the Colorado Biathlon, and other world class events. Beyond cross country skiing, families and groups can enjoy ice skating, sledding & tubing, snowshoeing and sleigh rides. Canine companions are welcome to join skiers on some of the trails, for a full-family workout.
Applications due by May 30, 2014.
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Momentum Northwest
Head Coach/Director wanted
Newly formed Momentum Northwest is seeking a full time Head Nordic Coach/Director to help develop and build a top tier junior racing program for the greater Seattle area. Seattle, a city of 2 million people, enjoys a vibrant Nordic community with over 50k of trails within close proximity. The ideal candidate should have significant racing and coaching experience at the divisional and national level. The position involves coaching and mentoring Middle School and High School aged athletes and to help foster and grow Nordic Racing for the Seattle metropolitan area. The Head Coach will provide year round coaching and skier development. In addition, the Head Coach will help drive ongoing fundraising efforts. This program will allow the ideal candidate an opportunity to help shape the program and its trajectory.
Those interested should contact Coert Voorhees at Coert@ExtraBlue.net
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Soldier Hollow Legacy Foundation
Executive Director wanted
The Soldier Hollow Legacy Foundation (SHLF) Board of Directors is seeking decisive, focused, and visionary leaders to apply for the position of Executive Director.
Apply:
No later than May 15, 2014, please submit a one-page letter of interest, a resume, and three professional references to the Foundation's Hiring Committee at soldierhollowlegacy@gmail.com
Questions may also be directed to this email address.
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US Pole Company
The United States Ski Pole Company is seeking one summer employment position. At least 18 years of age, located in either the U.S. or Canada, and have excellent organization and communication skills. The position is commission based with incentives, which can lead to other future business opportunities within the skiing industry. A good job for a post-college or current student. If you're looking for flexible hours that will mesh well with your training schedule, this would be ideal. Please send resume's and/ or questions to Andy Liebner at aliebner@hotmail.com
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About SkiPost
Cross-Country skiing's community lodge. Where knowledge and stories are shared. The goal of SkiPost is to make the sport of Cross-Country skiing easier and more enjoyable for all who choose to participate. If you have questions on Cross-Country Skiing email us weanswer@SkiPost.com and visit SkiPost.com
Enjoy Winter,
Andrew Gerlach
Director/Editor- SkiPost
Image at top is courtesy Salomon/NordicFocus
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