January Clinic Series

Fitness and Technique Training Beginner through Advanced Levels

Presented by: The Nordic Link at Lake Catamount Touring Center.

Dates: Wednesdays 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29; 4 sessions
Classic Technique Times: 10:00am – 11:30am

Skate Technique Times: 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Cost: $180

Please register early as we typically fill up.

What’s it all about:
Learn and improve the fundamentals of skiing.  You can choose from skate clinics or classic clinics. Learn and practice skills that create efficient and fun skiing on beginner through advanced trails. We will break the group up into smaller ability level groups on the first session. Typically, we like to have a 1 coach to 6 skier ratio.

Sample Activities: Balance skills and drill, poling technique, practice rhythm, coordination and pacing, cornering skills, uphill/downhill skills

Clinic layout and details: 

Classic Clinics Meet from 10am – 11:30am

Skate Clinics Meet from 12:00pm – 1:30pm

Rental equipment available: Equipment is available to rent from Lake Catamount Touring Center. Please call at 970.871.6667 them to reserve. If you are renting equipment, please arrive 20 minutes prior to your clinic time make sure there is time to fit your gear.

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2025 Steamboat XC Camp

January 3rd, 4th, 5th, 2025

Presented by: The Nordic Link in partnership with Lake Catamount Touring Center, Steamboat Ski Touring Center, Ski Haus, Fischer, Swix, Salomon, Toko, Rossignol, Honey Stinger and GU.

Registration Opens Oct 15, 2024

Please register early as we typically fill up.

What’s it all about: Nordic camp is a great way to kick-off the ski season with the area’s top coaches to help skills improvement.   This camp is open to all ability levels. Whether a true beginner wanting to try cross country skiing for the first time or an advanced skier wanting to improve race results, this camp offers something for everyone. Skiers can choose clinics in skating or classic techniques, or both.

Camp layout and details:  Participants can choose to participate in up to five, half-day sessions over the course of three days.  Each session includes a 2-hour clinic session with professional coaches, trail pass for the day, option to demo equipment, and entry into a virtual prize drawing (held prior to camp). At the beginning of each session we will break everyone into ability groups, aiming to keep groups to a maximum of six participants per coach. Each session costs $70 + fees.  There is a $5 discount per clinic if registering for more than one clinic.  The clinic sessions are organized as follows:

Jan 3 Friday AM: Classic Technique

Jan 3 Friday PM: Skate Technique

Jan 4 Saturday AM: Classic Technique

Jan 4 Saturday PM: Skate Technique

Jan 5 Sunday AM: Skate or Classic Technique

Box lunches for Friday and Saturday are included for camp participants enrolled in both am and pm sessions.  There will be an indoor space available in the Lake Catamount Club House to eat lunch.

We will not be gathering as a group indoors.  Please come prepared with extra warm and dry layers to spend a good portion of the day outside.
 
Click below to see full camp details and locations

Demo equipment on Saturday Jan 4th: – Try before you buy! Fischer, Salomon, Swix, Rossignol and Toko industry representatives will be on site with all new 2025 demo equipment (skis, boots, poles) for participants to try.  This is an excellent opportunity to try the equipment and learn about products before making a purchase.

Who are the coaches?
Time on snow with coaches is the most valuable aspect of the weekend; therefore, we prioritize putting together a top-notch coaching staff.  We draw from the area’s best coaches, instructors, elite masters racers and national level coaches.  Our coaching staff includes: Katie Lindquist, Brad Piske, Sarah Konrad, Bill Pierce,  Tyler Kjorstad, Emily Lovett, Cindi Hillemeyer, Murray Selleck, Marianne Osteen, Ed Kimm,  Jim Sanders, Callie West, and Judi Hulme.  Our team of coaches make this camp what it is!  It is a skiing and learning opportunity not to be missed!

Cancellation policy:  We have a “no refund” policy for this camp once registered. 

Due to extensive organization and planning, including insurance costs, facility rental fees, weather related changes, staff hiring, etc., we are unable to accommodate refunds or transfers to the following year under any circumstances.  Thank you in advance for your acceptance of these terms. 

Rental equipment:  
For skiers needing to rent equipment, directly contact the Ski Haus (970.879.0385) for skate equipment only, or the Steamboat Ski Touring Center (970.879.8180) for skate or classic equipment. Rental gear should be picked up before camp begins. Note: demo equipment will be available throughout the weekend; however, demo equipment is to “demo” for a clinic session and not for use the entire day.  Skiers should be prepared with their own or rental equipment for the camp.

Lodging: 
Rabbit Ears Motel
Rabbit Ears Motel:  Offers comfortable lodging in downtown Steamboat Springs. Walk to restaurants and shops.  Call 1-800-828-7702.

Directions to: 
Ski Haus  (skate ski rentals and outdoor gear store)
Catamount Touring Center
Steamboat Ski Touring Center

Helpful websites:
Steamboat Chamber

Preparation for camp weekend:
Here are a few things to think about before arriving at camp.
Please have your own equipment or have rented equipment before arriving at camp.  The demo equipment is to “demo” only, not to use for the entire day.  Rental equipment will be available on Thursday before camp from Ski Haus (skate only) Steamboat Ski Touring Center.  Please call ahead to reserve.  Limited equipment is also available at Catamount touring center, please call ahead to reserve.

Bring a water bottle and nutrition (gels, bars etc) and holder to stay hydrated and fueled while skiing.  Participants staying for both sessions in a day, either bring a lunch or pre-order a box lunch at registration. 
Dress in breathable layers.  Choose light, wicking materials as a first layer close to skin, followed by a breathable light fleece or soft shell, followed by a wind jacket or warmer layer as needed.  An extra hat, gloves, and socks are also recommended to stay warm and dry for those staying for the afternoon.  Since we will not be gathering as a group indoors, bring a big, warm parka to have available. 

For updated snow conditions please check our website frequently or call 970-846-9206.

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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.

Happy Jack Ski Area

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 18th.

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.

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