Nordic Thanksgiving Camp opens next week

Shake off the cobwebs

by Than Acuff

It’s on. Snow has fallen, track is set and things are shaping up really nice for the Crested Butte Nordic Thanksgiving Camp Thursday through Sunday, November 26-29.

Hosting a Thanksgiving Nordic ski camp in Crested Butte can have its risks. While the town sits at 9,000 feet, snow is never a guarantee. In past years, low snow has forced Crested Butte Nordic into the high country to set track up Kebler Pass Road. This year though, thanks to some off-season trail work and a series of storms over the past two weeks, Crested Butte Nordic has track in town and Thanksgiving Camp participants can hop on their skis for training and instruction at the Crested Butte Nordic Center or head to the high country.

“Conditions are great right now,” says events director Drew Holbrook. “Lily Lake on Kebler Pass and Ruthie’s Run on the Bench next to town are both open and groomed. Either or both could provide the Thanksgiving Camp venue this year. Ruthie’s skis really well with six inches of snow on the ground but can melt out fast. Lily Lake is our insurance policy since it’s already buried in snow. Usually we have to pick one or the other, but since we have been getting a series of smaller storms and haven’t gotten that big dump, we’ve been able to keep both venues groomed.”

The camp has everything from the true beginner to the advanced Nordic skier as well as Nordic skiing-specific yoga classes from Yoga for the Peaceful, and Pilates from the Movement Center and nutritional advice. Coaches include former Olympians, PSIA-certified instructors and seasoned Nordic veteran coaches. This all-encompassing camp is the best way to jump into the Nordic skiing fray. For more detailed information on the camp, check out cbnordic.org.

Potential Venues

Lily Lake: Lily Lake is located on Kebler Pass, six miles west of town in National Forest. Crested Butte Nordic grooms the venue for cross country skiing and snowshoeing and is free for the public to use.

Ruthie’s Run: Ruthie’s Run leaves right from the Nordic Center, in town at Second and Whiterock. The trail is a 5-kilometer loop that is homologated by the International Ski Federation (FIS) and is wide and flat cambered with many rolling climbs and descents, offering exceptional early season ski terrain.

Clinics

Round Robin Refresher (Skate), $25, Thursday, November 26, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 

The Round Robin Refresher is a fun way to get back onto skis and refresh your skills. Participants of all ability levels will practice skills and drills with multiple instructors—“round robin style.” Clinic cost includes a trail pass.

Skate and Classic Clinics, Full Day, $110, Friday and Saturday, November 27 -28, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

We offer full day Skate and Classic clinics with professional instruction and video analysis will be offered for Recreational through Advanced ability levels. Participants will be divided into groups based on ability level at the beginning of each clinic. Groups will be comprised of no more than eight students per instructor.

Full-day clinics on Friday and Saturday include a morning session, a break for lunch, and an afternoon session. Morning and afternoon sessions run approximately 2.5 hours each. Video analysis of your technique will be captured and reviewed on snow to maximize your learning experience.

Registration for full-day clinics includes your trail pass fee and a complimentary hot soup lunch served at the Nordic Center.

Introductory Lessons, ½ day, $55, Friday and Saturday, November 27-28, 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Half-day morning sessions will be offered for individuals curious about trying Skate and Classic disciplines for the first time. These group lessons will be geared to introducing “never-ever” participants to the most basic Classic and Skate technique.

Free Kids Camp!, Friday and Saturday, November 27-28, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

The kids camp provides kids grades K through 6 an opportunity to experience the “fun”-damentals of classic skiing with on-snow games, obstacle courses and winter adventuring. Understanding that younger kids may not be inclined to spend a full day outside on snow, campers will have the option in the afternoon to attend the Mt. Crested Butte–Trailhead Children’s Museum. After being served a soup lunch at the Nordic Center, kids will be chaperoned by camp instructors up the mountain on the Town Shuttle for an afternoon of indoor free play.

Ski equipment, instruction, hot soup lunch and Children’s Museum admission is provided free to kids with a parent attending a clinic that day.

Performance Nutrition, presented by Kristen Osborn, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, M.S. Nutrition Science, Friday, November 27 at noon, Nordic Center

A conversation on how nutrition relates to cross country ski performance. Discuss which energy sources the body uses in cross country skiing and which foods are great fuels for training, racing, and recovery. From a practical standpoint, talk about how you can easily incorporate nutrient-rich foods into your life to optimize performance and health and also touch on hydration and supplements.

Fast Wax Clinic, Saturday, November 28 at noon, Crested Butte Nordic Center

Fast Wax rep Brian Smith will give a 45-minute clinic covering basic base prep, choosing glide wax for specific temperature ranges, and proper scraping and brushing techniques.

Winter Kickoff Celebration, Saturday, November 28, 6 p.m.

Crested Butte Nordic invites the entire community to the Mallardi Theater for the Season Kickoff Celebration. There will be line entertainment by Gypsy Jazz Social Club. Admission: $30 for adults and $10 for kids. Tickets can be bought at the door, or online. Complimentary cocktail and appetizers will be served.

The Alley Loop Points Series Race #1, Sunday, November 29, 10 a.m.

The Alley Loop Points Series is made up of five races that start during the Crested Butte Nordic Thanksgiving Ski Camp and end two weeks before the Alley Loop Nordic Marathon. The races are a perfect opportunity to get in shape for the Alley Loop and are open to all ages and ability levels.