Laramie, WY Camp

One-day Skate Ski Clinic

Tie City Trailhead in the Happy Jack Recreation Area, Highway 210, 11 miles East of Laramie, WY

Sunday January 19, 2025

Presented by: The Nordic Link in partnership with Medicine Bow Nordic Association (MBNA). 

Registration Opens December 4, 2024.  Space is limited so register early.  If capacity is reached, additional people will be put on a waiting list.

About the clinic:

The Laramie one-day skate ski clinic is a great way to improve technique and skills with top coaches. This camp is for intermediate to advanced skiers who want to improve technique, efficiency over changing terrain, and race results.  Intermediate skiers must be able to ski at least one kilometer without stopping and have basic awareness of the various skate gears (V1, V2, V2 alternate).  Advanced skiers should be able to ski for several kilometers without stopping and have some ability to perform the various skate gears. Participants must bring all their own or rented gear to the clinic.  More information about equipment rentals is provided below.

Clinic Details:

Participants can choose to enroll in either the morning or afternoon session, or both.  The sessions are 2 hours each with professional coaches providing tips and drills to improve technique.  Those signing up for both morning and afternoon sessions can bring their own lunch or pre-order a box lunch when registering. There will be some space available in the Tie City Trailhead Warming Hut to eat lunch. Dress in breathable layers:  light, wicking layers close to skin, followed by a breathable light fleece or soft shell, followed by a wind jacket or warmer layer as needed.  Hand and toe warmers are also a good option.  An extra hat, gloves, and socks are recommended to keep you dry if you are staying for the afternoon.  Also bring a warm parka to have available. It’s easier to shed layers if too warm than not have enough layers and be too cold.  Bring a water bottle and some nutrition (bars/gels) for fuel during the session.

Clinic schedule is as follows:

Sunday January 19, 2025

Morning Session:

8:45 – 9:00 am, Break into groups

9:00 am – 11:00 pm, Coaching session

Afternoon Session: 

12:00 pm – 12:15 pm, Break into groups

12:15 – 2:15 pm, Coaching Session

At the start of each session, participants will break into ability groups.  Group sizes are limited to eight people per coach to optimize individual instruction and feedback.

Please plan your travel time to the clinic accordingly.  The Happy Jack Ski Trails are at 8600 feet elevation and highways to the site can experience hazardous driving conditions.  Please check the Wyoming Department of Transportation road and travel conditions website before traveling to ensure roads are open.  Depending on the weather and road conditions, extra travel time may be needed.

Cost:

Individual sessions cost $65 + fees.  There is a $5 discount per session if you register for the whole day. 

NOTE: Please be aware, the US Forest Service requires a $5/day fee to park at the Tie City Trailhead.  Payment can be made at the kiosk located in the parking lot at the trailhead.  Alternatively, annual parking passes can be purchased for $30 at the Medicine Bow/Routte National Forest Office located at 2468 Jackson Street, Laramie, WY. 

Coaches: 

The coaching staff includes: Katie Lindquist and Emily Lovett both from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and Judi Hulme from Laramie, Wyoming. All three coaches are certified cross-country ski instructors through the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and each have been teaching, coaching and racing for over 25 years.

Cancellation policy: 

Due to extensive organization and planning, including insurance costs, travel costs for coaches, staff hiring, etc., there is a “no refund” policy for this clinic for any reason with the exception of Wyoming Highway Department mandated road closures which would prevent people from getting to the clinic.  In the event roads to the venue are closed, the clinic will be cancelled and base registration costs will be refunded.  We cannot refund the amount of the fees assessed by SkiReg. 

Rental Equipment:  

For skiers needing to rent skate equipment, there are three options located in Laramie.

• Fast Haus (307-703-0358) – open 8am – 6 pm Thursday through Monday

• Laramie’s Base Camp (307-703-0172) – open 10am-6pm Monday through Saturday, 12noon-4pm Sunday.

• UW Outdoor Program (307-766-2402) – Students, staff, and faculty of the University of Wyoming (UW) can rent skate equipment through the Outdoor Program but gear will likely need to be picked up between 10am – 6 pm on Friday January 17th as they are closed over the weekend.

For those coming from Cheyenne or from Fort Collins through Cheyenne, skate skis can be rented from Rock on Wheels (307-637-0020) in Cheyenne – open 9am – 6pm on Saturday, 11am – 5pm on Sunday.  Equipment from Rock on Wheels would need to be picked up on Saturday January 18^th.

Lodging: 

There are many lodging options in Laramie, which is a 15-20 minute drive from the event location at the Tie City Trailhead. Those coming from the front range can also stay in Cheyenne, which is a 35-40 minute drive to the Tie City Trailhead.

Directions to: 

Tie City Trailhead from Laramie

Tie City Trailhead from Fort Collins via Highway 287 North through Laramie

Tie City Trailhead from Cheyenne via Interstate 80 West

Tie City Trailhead from Cheyenne via Wyoming Highway 210 – Happy Jack Road

For clinic updates please check The Nordic Link website.  For any questions about the clinic, call 307-760-4501.  For trail grooming updates, see the Medicine Bow Nordic Association Grooming Blog.