March 18, 2013 (Bend/Mt Bachelor, Oregon) – The annual Oregon Spring Camp event in Bend/Mt Bachelor, Oregon has finalized dates for the 2013 Camp with Mt Bachelor grooming staff. Two sessions are currently planned on two consecutive long weekends.

– Session #1: Thursday, May 23 – Sunday, May 26.
– Session #2: Thursday, May 30 – Sunday, June 2.

As in past years, the Oregon Spring Camp features on-snow sessions every morning on the groomed Mt Bachelor Nordic trails and an array of optional afternoon activities including dryland clinics, training lectures, and video review. Optional world-class physiology testing is also available on select weekdays. Campers are welcome to pick their own schedule with any combination of days possible from either session.

Designed specifically for adult skiers and racers from the high beginner to expert levels, the Oregon Spring Camp also welcomes skiers under age 18 with a parent/guardian attending the Camp serving as a chaperone.

Session #1 overlaps the period that in 2012 saw both the U.S. and Canadian National XC and Biathlon Teams training at Mt Bachelor as well as a large array of top club skiers from throughout North America. Session #2 requires a minimum attendance to be guaranteed with interested campers — but also represents a unique opportunity to ski into early June on one of the world’s longest groomed ski seasons.

Complete information about the 2013 Oregon Spring is now posted HERE.

We’ll see you this spring in Oregon!

December 18, 2012 (Seattle, Washington) – Madshus, the world’s oldest ski company, announces the growth of its US sales force with the appointment of Chad Willems as its new sales representative for Washington and Oregon.

Peter Hale, long-time NW rep and race services director, will continue representing the brand in ID, MT and AK, as well as the inland northwest to include the Methow Valley and the Spokane area, while Chad takes over Washington and Oregon.

“We will all benefit from Chad’s perspective and experience. He is highly versed, enthusiastic, and keenly active in the full spectrum of our sport including racing, family and backcountry skiing,” Hale said.

Chad Willems has an extensive background in the Nordic retail business and worked as a store manager, Nordic buyer and a very effective on-the-floor salesman at a shop that was a key Madshus dealer. In his free time, Chad enjoys competitive cycling and found Nordic skiing to be a great way to train for cycling. Chad currently resides in Bend, Oregon where he is a very active part of the Nordic skiing community.

“I am happy to have the opportunity to represent Madshus and an activity that I love,” Said Willems. “I’m enjoying reconnecting with folks in the retail and Nordic skiing community that I’ve gotten to know over the years, and meeting some new ones as well,” he said.

As the brand continues to grow, Madshus is expanding its international presence, with a strong focus on North America. Madshus sales staff can look forward to increased POP materials, technical information, new Madshus store signage for Nordic Departments, and more. Madshus is expanding their exposure with a wide variety of websites and social media, including their new Facebook page. “Like” Madshus now to keep up with latest news.

For more information on Madshus, please visit www.madshus.com. Northwest retailers interested in connecting with Chad Willems can email him at chad@cascadetrailsrep.com

December 20, 2011 (Crescent Lake, OR) – Registration for the Crescent Lake Challenge freestyle ski race and citizen tour, set for Sunday, January 15, 2012, is now open. The event, which takes place on a 22km course on the groomed trails and rolling hills around scenic Crescent Lake, Oregon, in the central Cascades is popular, and due to limited space in the lodge for the free hot lunch, entries are limited to 120 skiers.

Organizers are adding a classic track set (conditions permitting). All levels of skiers are welcome but be prepared to ski 14 miles.

Start Time: 10 am Sunday, January 15th

Learn more and sign up HERE.

April 28, 2011 (Bend, OR) – The Bend Endurance Academy is seeking collegiate skiers and older juniors ages 18-23 who have an interest in spending 3-4 months in Bend, Oregon training with professional coaches and a highly motivated Nordic team. The Academy offers a mix of morning and afternoon practices focusing on strength and agility training, skate and classic rollerskiing, hiking, running and exploring in the Deschutes National Forest. On snow skiing opportunities are available. Practices run Tuesdays-Saturdays from May 31 to August 15th.

The Academy relies on innovative training methods to maximize individual summer training plans and help participants reach their individual fitness and technique goals. The summer Nordic program is designed for individuals looking to succeed at NCAAs, USCSAs, US Nationals, Supertours, Junior Nationals, World Junior/U23s or other individual ski racing goals. The Academy also offers three 5-day camps throughout the summer in various Northwest locations including the very popular Trout Lake Nordic Camp scheduled for July 20-24. Academy camps connect PNSA, Far West, Mid Atlantic, and New England skiers and include current and former J1/World Junior/U23 team members and coaching staff.

Academy staff will do their best to help participants find summer jobs or internships as well as assist with home stay or housing arrangements. Central Oregon Community College offers a range of summer classes. Oregon State University classes are available as well through the Cascades Campus. This is a unique opportunity to catch up on a class, or get ahead for next year.

Contact Ben Husaby with questions: ben@bendenduranceacademy.org or 541-678-3864. Enroll online at www.BendEnduranceAcademy.org

April 06, 2011 (Bend, OR) – Mt. Bachelor, known for immense snow pack and one of the longest Alpine ski seasons, will be offering North America’s longest Nordic ski season this year with a commitment to keep groomed operations open through June 20, 2011. With strategic natural attributes such as the highest resort peak in the Cascades, not to mention a possible record breaking season for snowfall with 564″ to date and 2’+ forecasted this week, Mt. Bachelor is in a unique position to offer Nordic skiing and grooming later than any other Nordic Center on the continent.

Sue Foster, Nordic Center Manager exclaims, “We’re really excited to host some of the world’s best Nordic athletes at Mt. Bachelor with training by the US and Canadian Ski Teams, in addition to continuing our grooming for the general public through our spring and summer pass options!”

The Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center will offer two ‘Camp Blocks’ following its regular winter season of operations; Camp Block #1 held from May 22-June 1, 2011, and Camp Block #2 held June 10-20, 2011. Skiers will have access to 10-15 km of groomed trails during either Camp Block for only $50 per person. Current winter Nordic pass holders will need to purchase Camp Block passes to access the Nordic Trails after May 21, 2011. The Nordic Center Lodge will be open with waxing facilities and restrooms for guests.

The extended Nordic ski season through June 20th will offer local enthusiasts and visiting athletes the unique opportunity to train in Central Oregon with multi-sport opportunities including trail running, mountain and road biking, kayaking and numerous lodging options, restaurants and craft breweries in the base communities of Bend and Sunriver, 20 miles from Mt. Bachelor.

www.mtbachelor.com

March 01, 2011 (Bend, OR) – The XC Oregon elite development program based in Bend, Oregon has officially opened new funded level athlete applications for the 2011/2012 ski season. Complete information on the very simple XC Oregon application process is now available by visiting www.xcoregon.org.

Based on current budget projections and likely retirements by several top athletes, XC Oregon anticipates having the financial resources to support 2-4 new “funded” level athletes interested in racing full 2011/12 regional/national/international schedules. XC Oregon also continues to welcome an unlimited number of “associate” athletes to apply at any time with less stringent racing qualifications and expectations than the funded level. Per the program’s tradition, XC Oregon does not charge fees to any roster athlete for team membership.

Specific financial support for interested athletes is highly individual and often has incentives built-in for new athletes with high level credentials. We are very happy to discuss specifics with athletes as they work through the application process.

The first round of 2011/12 new athlete applications will be accepted until April 15, 2011. Athletes meeting that initial deadline will have preferred status for early funding allocations. After April 15 XC Oregon will continue accepting new athletes throughout the year on a case-by-case basis.

Founded in 1998, XC Oregon is North America’s longest-running elite development club with the same leadership and organizational design since inception. A 501c3 non-profit organization, XC Oregon is supported by several Oregon-based corporations and by generous Friends of XC Oregon patrons from around the ski world. Past and present XC Oregon athletes over the past 13 years include U.S. Olympians, World Championship Team members, World Cup skiers, National Champions, SuperTour Champions, World Loppet Champions, ASM Series Winners — and more. Our program has also proudly produced over two dozen alumni ski coaches.

Current program athletes live throughout the state of Oregon, with residency for a significant portion of the year in the state being one of the few requirements of the program. Coaching and program management is provided by program founder J.D. Downing on a year-round basis. Training and racing annually involves a mixture of individual and group training/travel — with the program adapting each year to fit the needs of our current roster. Year after year, XC Oregon continues to provide a proven support structure for independent and motivated young adult athletes that enjoy living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Although based in one general geographic location, the XC Oregon roster proudly features permanent and visiting athletes from around the globe. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for either roster membership or funding support.

XC Oregon also prides itself on having one of the widest age and ability ranges of any elite club. Whether a recent college graduate, a cross-over athlete from other endurance sports, a veteran athlete looking for a fresh start — over the years XC Oregon has welcomed athletes with incredibly diverse backgrounds.

After viewing the materials on www.xcoregon.org we encourage interested athletes to contact J.D. Downing with any questions you may have and to visit us in Bend sometime this spring as we once again enjoy the longest easy-access ski season in North America well into June.

Contact: J.D. Downing, Coach/Director XC Oregon jd@xcoregon.org

February 22, 2011 (Bend, OR) – The 2011 SprinterFest was held in conjunction with the US Cellular Rail Jam at Winterfest from Friday through Sunday in the Old Mill District in Bend, OR. Presented by Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy and The Center, the races featured individual head-to-head sprints on a 130m track in front of thousands of people for the women’s race on Friday and the men’s race on Saturday.

According to race director Bill Warburton, “Nordic skiing is usually a sport where skiers are way out in the forest, playing in the woods, but this weekend we got to show off the amazing skills of these athletes in front of a great crowd right downtown.” Skiers from Portland and Bend raced for cash prizes through several rounds of competition. Local athletes from the Bend Endurance Academy and XC Oregon dominated the podium both nights. High school skiers and the general public competed during the days, with Bend High winning the High School Relay competition for both Boys and Girls.

“Bend is a hot-spot for cross-country skiing in the US,” Warburton said. “The spectators got to see some world-class ski racing this weekend and Nordic skiing is growing quickly here so I hope this event helps bring more people to the sport.”

Women’s Full Results HERE.
Men’s Full Results HERE.

Women’s Individual Results
1. Berkley Baldwin, XC Oregon
2. Bria Shurke, XC Oregon
3. Brenna Warburton, Bend Endurance Academy
4. Mary Wellington, XC Oregon
5. Allie Phillips, Bend Endurance Academy

Men’s Individual Results
1. Dakota Blackhorse von Jess, Bend Endurance Academy
2. Erik Jacobsen, XC Oregon
3. Colin Mahood, XC Oregon
4. Joe Madden, Bend Endurance Academy