December 11, 2012 (Canmore, AB) – With the Alberta World Cup coming to Canmore this week, the Alberta World Cup Academy in conjunction with Ascent Physical Therapy is hosting the Canmore XC Ski Camps. This is an excellent opportunity for intermediate to advanced level cross country skiers to enhance their technique with the help of the World Cup Academy Coaches.

This Camp is for all levels and ages of skiers.  This is not a complete beginners camp, but caters to intermediate level non-racing skiers up to racing level.  Please call if you are not sure if your skills will fit the camp!

The Canmore XC Ski Camp is the perfect way to take advantage of world class instruction from some of Canada’s finest coaches from the Alberta World Cup Academy. The structure of the camp allows skiers to operate at their own pace and in a group environment that is catered to their ability level.

The on snow sessions concentrate on the technical aspects of both skate and classic, with real world modeling and feedback an essential part of the program. Ski waxing instruction along with advice on ski selection will ensure you come away from this camp well informed.

If you want to optimize your technique and learn from the best the Canmore XC Ski Camp is the place to be.

For beginner skiers, in skate or classic, the Canmore XC Ski Camp supports and encourages skiers to contact the excellent team at Trailsports. They can provide private and group lessons for those of varying ability and will be operating throughout winter and during camp time. This may be the perfect opportunity for those bringing a spouse, child or friend along for the week to enroll in one of their classes.

– 4 Days of Expert XC Skiing Instruction and Training – $599+gst – Register HERE

– NEW! 2-Day Skate only option Dec 22nd and 23rd – $375+gst – Register HERE

Like Canmore XC Ski Camp on Facebook!

For more information go to www.canmorexcskicamp.com

November 05, 2012 (Auburn, NH) – Today, Fischer Skis announced it has hired Rick Halling as Nordic promotions and customer service specialist. In the newly created position, Halling will work directly with Peter Ashley, vice president of the Fischer Skis U.S. Nordic Division, to grow and support American sales of the world’s winningest cross country ski and boot manufacturer. Rick brings 30 years of Nordic ski experience to Fischer, having most recently spent 20 years as Nordic product category manager at Atomic.

“We are truly excited to welcome Rick. His passion for the sport, technical insight and rich history working in key markets are just what we need to spur sales growth and popularity of cross country skiing”, said Peter Ashley.

Halling begins at Fischer today and will be based out of the company’s U.S. headquarters in Auburn, N.H. His broad range of responsibilities includes providing support for Fischer’s Nordic sales representatives and dealers as well as Nordic marketing and promotions efforts.

“I look forward to working with Peter to show Americans the new face of cross country skiing. From the technology and innovation that powers world-class athletes to the exercise and overall enjoyment afforded by the sport, Fischer truly offers something for everyone” said Rick. “It’s great to be joining the industry leader and to have this unique opportunity to grow the sport.”

During his 20 years managing Atomic’s Nordic division, Halling managed sales, marketing and racing, and helped turn an obscure Austrian brand into a major Nordic supplier in the U.S. Prior to that Halling sold Nordic equipment at Hanover, N.H., ski retailers Omer & Bob’s Sportshop as well as Art Bennet’s. In addition, he previously managed the Nordic ski retail shop at Royal Gorge in Donner Summit, California, America’s largest cross country ski area. He has also worked at Scandinavian, a Nordic ski retailer in New York City, and worked in various functions at Telemark Resort in Cable, Wisc., home of the American Birkebeiner.

October 24, 2012 (Boulder, CO) – The Boulder Nordic Ski Swap will be on Wednesday, November 14, at Boulder High. The doors will open to set up will be at 5:45pm. We are hoping to be cleaned up and out the door no later than 9:30. 15% of the proceeds will go to benefit the Boulder Nordic Junior Racing Team.

www.bnjrt.net

October 17, 2012 (Oro, ON) – The Hardwood Ski and Bike Annual Ski Swap is one of the largest cross country ski swaps around offering a great opportunity to find just the right equipment for you for the coming season. The swap includes new and used cross country equipment, snowshoes, poles and more.

This is a chance for people to sell their old equipment at the swap and make a few dollars to put toward upgrading equipment. This is a great place to find ski equipment for your kids for this winter.

The Retail Shop will be showing the newest cross country gear and clothing with an added bonus – Save the Tax on purchases in the retail shop this weekend.

The Open House is a chance to learn more about the various programs, clinics, events and races taking place at Hardwood this winter.

WHERE: Hardwood Ski and Bike, 402 W Old Barrie Rd, Oro Station, Ontario
WHEN: October 20 and 21, 2012. Saturday from 9 to 5 and Sunday 9 to 1

May 14, 2012 – Today we are introducing you another candidate to host FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2017 – Zakopane, Poland. Find out more about this potential host venue in the Q&A below.

Q: Why is Zakopane a candidate to host 2017 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships? How many times have you run your bid?
Zakopane is the cradle of Polish skiing, which traditions go as far back as to over 120 years. Zakopane organized FIS World Championships three times (1929, 1939, 1962), Winter Universiade three times (1956, 1993, 2001), World and European Biathlon Championships, Biathlon World Juniors Championships, Speed Skating World Juniors Championships and World Cup, FIS European Cup in Womens’ Slalom, Ski Jumping World Cup (several times), Nordic Combined, Cross-Country and Slalom, Ski Jumping Continental Cups, Ski Jumping Summer Grand Prix, FIS World Junior Championships in Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined. International competitions of various level are held here almost every year.

It is the fourth time that Zakopane, together with Polish Ski Federation and Tatra Ski Association, have begun making efforts to be granted the right to organize FIS Nordic World Championships in 2017.

Q: What makes you different from the other candidates?
The sports events, which have been hosted in Zakopane so far, have given a completely new quality to the concept of the atmosphere. Ski fans, enthusiasm and their admiration of the best athletes from all over the world is a unique phenomenon, which has developed in Zakopane during Ski Jumping World Cups and is always present at all the events organized at the foot of Mountain. It will be the same during the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships Zakopane 2017.

Q: What is the core of your bid? What would the Champs at your venue be like and what would people remember in 2027 about them?
Organization of big international winter sports events has had significant influence on the city development. Many new sports venues have been built, the accommodation and catering infrastructure has been developed, water-sewage system has been improved, new streets, roads and parking places have been built. Also tourism has greatly developed.

Zakopane has continuously aspired to be counted among the group of cities organizing world sports events. The crowning achievement of this aspiration was the submission of the city’s candidature for the organization of Winter Olympic Games in 2006 and FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 2011, 2013 and 2015.

Zakopane is also a significant center of culture – it is the cradle of interwar art bohemians. Outstanding musicians, writers and artists have settled and created here for years.

You can find more information at: www.wsc2017.zakopane.eu

January 27, 2012 (Sun Peaks, BC) – Students at the Discovery Centre for Balanced Education at Sun Peaks Resort will be giving a new sport a try as part of their school curriculum this February.

The Nordic Ski School at Sun Peaks Resort will be teaching 45 students (K-7) the basics of cross country skiing at three upcoming classes: February 8, February 15 and February 29.

The Discovery Centre first opened in September 2010, with a new twist on standard education. In between math and spelling lessons, taught both in person and via Skype, the students have an opportunity to learn about winter sports. Whether it be alpine skiing at lunch, or going on a class snowshoe tour, and now…an introduction to Nordic skiing.

The Nordic Program is one that has taken huge steps to expand this year, with a two-day Nordic instructional camp this weekend with former Olympic Coach Gunner Rasmussen, to a 24 kilometre race coming up on February 26. Plans for additional programs and classes are already in the works for the 2012-13 winter season.

For details on Nordic programs at Sun Peaks Resort, click HERE.

For more information on the Discovery Centre for Balanced Education, please contact info@balancededucation.ca.

October 31, 2011 (West Yellowstone, MT) – With the temperature well below freezing in West Yellowstone last night and five inches of snow above 8,000 feet, planning for the 2011 Yellowstone Ski Festival is in full swing. We would like to welcome back our old friends and invite new cross-country ski enthusiasts to the first Nordic Festival of the season. There is something for everyone this year, and we are excited to announce many new additions.

– New Trails: Over three miles have been added to the Rendezvous Ski Trails this year, along with new signs, trail maps, and a brand new biathlon range.
– Two-Day Kids Ski Clinic: The Yellowstone Ski Festival and Lone Mountain Ranch have partnered to offer a ski-specific kids clinic on Friday and Saturday of Thanksgiving week. Grade K-2nd clinics will focus on the “Fun”damentals of classic skiing, and 3rd-6th graders will have both classic and skate options.
– Fresh off of another first ascent, Legendary Mountaineer Conrad Anker will be delivering the keynote address on Friday evening, Nov. 25, at the Holiday Inn, Yellowstone Ski Festival Headquarters.
– Adaptive Sit Ski and Biathlon Clinic. Eagle Mount in Bozeman, Mont., the Casper Mountain Biathlon Club (Casper, Wyo.), and the Yellowstone Ski Festival have joined to provide a FREE clinic to adaptive athletes on Tuesday, Nov. 22.
– Fashion Show: Wednesday evening, Nov. 23, will feature a Fall harvest Tapas and Tasting, followed by the first ever Yellowstone Ski Festival Fashion show, featuring the latest in styles from leading ski clothing manufacturers.

The Yellowstone Ski Festival will also welcome back the major ski manufacturers as well as a few new companies to the On-Snow Nordic Gear Demo and Indoor Nordic Expo. Online registration is now open for six different races for competitive skiers, and the Nordic clinics will present five, three, and one day courses, including a women’s only and junior clinic option.

Discounted month-of-November trail passes are available until Oct. 31. Order yours today and save 20 percent. Book your lodging now for the best availability. Many hotels, motels, condos and houses are still available over Thanksgiving week. Contact the chamber for a list of properties. If you are flying into Bozeman and do not want to rent a car, let Big Sky Taxi or Karst Stage do the driving. Register for a clinic. Many of the popular clinics will fill on a first come first served basis, so sign-up online today!

For more information about all the events at the Yellowstone Ski Festival visit our website at www.yellowstoneskifestival.com.