November 17, 2011 (West Yellowstone, MT) – Here’s the official update from West Yellowstone: BRING A PUFFY JACKET because it’s COLD out here! Or at least a weight vest, and put hand warmers in the pockets. Seriously, I’m not kidding – on my website I have a short video…taken by Cork, so you know it’s good 🙂

But gliding out on the perfectly groomed trails, with bomber kick thanks to some Toko green….it’s days like today that remind me why I love this sport so much! So here’s the snow report: it’s really good right now, so good that I’ve been skiing on my good skis. Most of the trails are groomed, and the tracks are perfect right now. According to the weather report, we’re getting some amount of snow every day and there’s a storm coming in Friday. So if you’re driving out soon….bring tall boots and warm clothes!

This year the CXC team is staying in this awesome little house in town. It’s really nice to be living together, and have our own kitchen! Not to mention communication on training times and team meetings are much, much easier.

Every year, I really look forward to my first week out at West Yellowstone. Basically, it’s just a big training and socializing week! With skiing every morning and afternoon and seeing most of my buddies out on the trails…it’s paradise for an athlete.

Today we did our first classic ski, and after a little struggling up the hills (rollerskis are SO nice sometimes!) the technique snapped back into place and the long boards no longer felt so awkward. I’m really looking forward to some great training!

Also, for those of you participating in/watching the National Nordic Foundation Drive for 25… it was a success! 526 donors nation-wide, $22,841 dollars raised to help send junior athetes to Europe to gain critical experience!

Thanks so much to those involved, at any level!