2010 Oregon Spring XC Ski Camp
May 27-31, 2010 * Mt Bachelor/Bend, Oregon
Designed For Master Skiers (but juniors welcome with chaperone)
Camp Updates
May 20:: Camp registration remains open but pickings are much slimmer on available days. Act quickly if you are interested. Conditions are stellar. Up to 6″ new snow forecast the next week heading into the camp — this on top of 7-8 feet of base. Yee-haw!
If you are a registered camper, today you should have gotten a camp update with the tentative daily schedule as well as various other notes. Please email Camp Director J.D. Downing if you didn’t get that note (jd at xcoregon.org). Most important thing is that we will aim for a 8:40am meeting time (boots on and ready to ski) each morning. Classic groups will be offered only Thursday and Friday.
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2010 Oregon Spring Camp Registration Form
Current NOAA forecast for Mt. Bachelor trail system.
Current Mt. Bachelor weather/snow conditions.
2010 Tentative Schedule
Note: Afternoon and evening events will be scheduled based on enrollment up to the first half of May. The sooner we have a good enrollment number, the sooner we can set a firm schedule.
Daily Mornings — Ski sessions meeting roughly from 8:45am – 10:30am each day at Mt Bachelor.
Afternoons — (pending demand) 2-3 Dryland Clinics looking at rollerski technique, specific foot drills, and/or XC strength routines. May also include video review (weather pending). Afternoon events in Bend.
Evenings — One Evening training lecture focusing on an overview of realistic “training years” for master XC skiers of various focus levels. 1-2 video review/social events. Evening events in Bend.
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Basics About The Camp
The Oregon Spring Camp offers citizen skiers a very unique chance to take part in a world-class ski education experience in the late spring. Mt Bachelor typically holds sufficient snow on the Nordic Center trails to allow grooming into June. Our camp dates are set up to take advantage of the most reliable window concurrent with a U.S. Ski Team camp. So you’ll literally be able to tell your friends you are out ski training with Olympians!
Spring is a great time to work on technique and new skills in a low-key setting. For those folks in low elevations with little to no snow from April to November, a Spring Camp gives you a chance to “touch base” with skiing and cut down the length of this snow-less gap. What’s even better, our dryland clinics and training plan help (not to mention lab testing for those that choose it) gives you an unbeatable menu of information to plan your best XC ski fitness year ever!
IMPORTANT: Due to the anticipated very small size of this camp, participants will need to be at least at the intermediate skill level to take part. Fitness is less of an issue than having decent basic skills to cover flats, uphills, and downhills OK. We generally will not cover a ton of ground each morning, but we absolutely will not be able to offer beginner skill sessions for either technique at this camp. Ski conditions are variable in the late spring so you also need to be comfortable skiing on anything from fresh powder, to soft spring corn, to very hard “melt/freeze” conditions. If you are worried about your skill level, please contact the Camp so we can help you decide.
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Camp Fees
Your Camp Fees include:
– Morning on-snow ski coaching sessions;
– Mandatory daily donation to the U.S. Ski Team to help defray the cost of trail grooming;
– Options for afternoon dryland and evening training/video clinics;
– Flexible scheduling so you can attend split days with ski sessions and any PM sessions you like;
– Fun, low-key, inclusive atmosphere throughout.
Camp price does not include meals, lodging or transportation. Mt Bachelor season passes expire before the Spring Camp period and thus all campers are required to help pay for grooming. All camp and lab test reservations made on a first-come, first-served basis.
FIVE DAY CAMP Package (any five days you choose): $270.00US
(optional) Physiology Lab Testing: Extra cost of $149-169.
FOUR DAY CAMP Package (any four days you choose): $225.00US
(optional) Physiology Lab Testing: Extra cost of $149-169.
THREE DAY CAMP Package (any three days you choose): $175.00US
(optional) Physiology Lab Testing: Extra cost of $149-169.
ONE OR TWO DAY CAMPS: $60.00US per day
(optional) Physiology Lab Testing: Extra cost of $149-169. Please note that campers with 3-5+ day packages will have first priority with regards to scheduling available Fall Camp lab testing slots.
Current 09/10 members of the American Cross Country Skiers may deduct $10 from any registration price.
*Camp Deposit Policy: 3-5 Day Camp Packages require a $100 deposit payable at the time of camp registration. 1-2 Day Camps require a $60 deposit payable at the time of camp registration. Oregon Spring Camp deposits are 85% refundable up until 5pm PST, May 20. After that date, all deposits are non-refundable for any reason (including illness, injury, personal circumstances, etc.). The only exception will be if the camp is 100% sold out and we are able to secure a fully-paid replacement for your slot.
2010 Oregon Spring Camp Registration Form
For more camp information: Email: [ jd at xcskiworld.com ] or call (541) 317-0217.
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More Info About Various Camp Topics
Our camp structure allows most skiers to operate at their own pace 99% of the time, thus eliminating pressure for skiers to either “keep up with the top guys/gals” or waste time waiting for other folks to catch up (both common complaints at other camps/clinics you can find out there). We promise to keep you moving as much as possible while also keeping the information flow — specific to YOUR needs — coming in every session. We use video footage & review in several sessions (weather permitting).
All on-snow sessions concentrate on application of specific technical elements combined with real world workout designs used by world-class skiers (of all ages). Individual technical feedback is a huge part of the process rather than concentrated in a traditional, stand around and watch clinic. Past participants really enjoy this approach which allows for both the best of lots of personal ski time AND loads of feedback on how to improve your skiing.
What About A Choice Of Techniques?
Since our core audience is citizen skiers/racers that often ski in both techniques, we organize all sessions with a theme of skating or classic technique. However, we have skiers that do not skate or classic. What we tell folks in this situation is that you are welcome to simply hop in the session with the opposite technical gear and we’ll give you individual things to work on as we can. If there are enough skiers in the same boat (i.e. classic only at a designated skate session), we simply create a separate group for that technique. But we can’t promise separate groups each day. Being small we have a lot of flexibility and are used to adjusting to all needs.
Lab Testing
An incredibly unique element to the Oregon Spring Camp is the chance to get a complete ski-specific physiology testing at the Central Oregon Community College lab. The testing includes lactate zones, body comp, and VO2max values.
Even very casual citizen skiers have been blown away by the information for basic health and fitness they have gotten out of this very simple testing procedure. For serious racers, the lab values give you precise heart rate zones (no more guessing!) just as you enter your on-snow training season. More than once, skiers have told us that coming away equipped with the specific training zone information provided by the lab is worth the cost of the camp by itself!
The ski specific lab test involves skiwalking on a treadmill at progressively higher speeds with special poles provided by the lab. Tiny blood samples are gathered about a half dozen times from the tips of a couple fingers. You use normal dryland clothing for this test and are not required to bring anything special or make any special preparations except being well-rested. The lab staff is very used to guiding novice folks thru the test and the whole thing is over with in about a half hour. A cycling-specific test can also be arranged for campers that would rather test on a bike (you will need to bring or rent a performance bike). When possible, it is very much recommended that skiers try and get to Bend such that you can test the day before your actual camp format begins (example: arrive on Monday or Tuesday for a Weds-Sun camp). Having fresh legs gives you the most accurate test results.
Evening and Afternoon Sessions
Evening workshop sessions will be held on Bend’s westside. These workshops are specifically designed to help adult skiers with jobs, kids, limited snowtime, etc. juggle all the challenges in your life and still get outstanding results out of your skiing. We focus on the wintertime needs of the XC racer, but the workshops are perfectly applicable to a non-racing health/fitness program based around XC skiing. We also schedule no-host social events at westside Bend establishments to interact socially with campers often bringing along special video footage to view at the same time.
Camp Staff
The Camp Director and Founder is J.D. (John) Downing, Coach/Director of the XC Oregon elite development program based in Bend, AXCS/ASM National Director, and founder/editor of xcskiworld.com website. Various local coaches and athletes (including special guests with extraordinary credentials as well as elite XC Oregon athletes) are enlisted to help with coaching on various workouts. Every year our campers tell us how pleased they were with the coaches and consistent help they received at the Spring Camp.
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Additional Stuff To Know
THE SETTING
The outdoor recreation capital of the Pacific Northwest…Bend is located on the east side of the Cascade mountain range in very nearly the center of Oregon. The mountains above Bend, Oregon typically offer one of the earliest, longest, and most consistent ski seasons in North America with Mt. Bachelor’s Nordic Center typically opening the week before Thanksgiving weekend and snow lasting thru June in most years. We anticipate 8-20km of trails will be available at Mt. Bachelor, groomed daily by snowcat at the 5900-6300ft. elevation.
Within a few hours of Bend are many other popular visitor destinations including Smith Rocks, Crater Lake National Park, Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, the Columbia River Gorge, Steens Mountain, and the Oregon Coast.
GETTING TO THE CAMP
Transportation is not included in the camp package.
Flying to the camp?
Flying direct to Bend?
The Redmond/Bend Airport (RDM) is located 15-20 minutes from downtown Bend and serves Central Oregon with daily direct connections from Los Angeles, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Seattle with three carriers…Delta, United Airlines, and Horizon/Alaska Airlines (Delta partner). Folks from the northeast and midwest can get to Redmond/Bend in as little as two flights and in as little as a half day of travel time. Returning home takes a bit longer on the clock due to losing 2-3 hours due to various time zones. RDM is a reliable regional airport with weather very rarely impacting spring flights. Budget, Hertz, National, and Avis all have offices in the Redmond/Bend airport.
Flying into Portland?
The Portland (PDX) airport has loads of daily connections from throughout North America and is a 3+ hour drive from Bend. Flights can be cheaper into PDX or not much different than Redmond/Bend — it just depends on when you buy and from whom. Portland is very reliable in spring weather for flying. However, the drive time plus driving conditions is something you need to keep in mind as you will have to cross a 4000ft mountain pass to get to Bend and spring storms can make things a bit snowy (but very rarely bad in the late spring).
What about driving to Bend?
By car, Bend is 3+ hours from Portland….7-9 hours from Tahoe/Sacramento/Bay Area in California…5-7 hours from the Seattle area…5-6 hours from Boise…10-12 hours from the Salt Lake City area.
What about getting to skiing?
Drive time from westside Bend lodging locations to skiing will vary from 15-30 minutes, one way. Having a car or carpool with other campers is pretty much a necessity. The Spring Camp does not provide ground transportation. The schedule for all on-snow sessions are always subject to change due to weather and snow conditions.
LODGING
Lodging is not included in the camp package
The west side of Bend features several lodging options to suit any budget. NOTE: If researching your own lodging options not shown here, be aware that the shortest access to skiing is via the west side of Bend. Make sure to ask any reservation desks not on this list exactly how long it takes to drive to Mt. Bachelor as well as the intersection of Colorado and 14th/Century to get an idea of how long it will take you to reach ski and evening sessions.
The choice preferred by many past Camp participants is the TownePlace Suites located at the Century Drive (14th Street) and Colorado roundabout. Kichenettes are available with two major grocery stores a short walk away. Breakfast is complimentary each morning with warm cookies and milk in the early evening. Call 800-257-3000 for Central Reservations or 541-382-5006 for Hotel Front Desk Reservations.
Another good option is the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott. This hotel very close to downtown Bend so an additional 4-5 minutes drive than the Townplace. Breakfast is complimentary each morning. Warm cookies with milk in the early evening. Call 800-257-3000 for Central Reservations or 541-318-1747 for Hotel Front Desk Reservations.
Inn of the Seventh Mountain… 800-452-6810…closest location to skiing, located roughly 4 miles from the main edge of westside Bend up the Cascade Lakes Highway; various sizes of suites and condos; on-site resaurant; requires drive to grocery, downtown, evening sessions, etc..
Rainbow Motel… 888.529.2877 …clean, quiet motel located in the “midtown” area; short walk to grocery or downtown.
Entrada Best Western … 541.382.4080…clean, quiet lodge located one mile from Bend’s western edge on the way up to Mt. Bachelor; 5 minute drive to grocery store.
Mt. Bachelor Village Resort…condos and suites (all sizes), 800.452.9846…located above Deschutes River on Bend’s west side.
Phoenix Inn … 888.291.4764…located in downtown, short walk to restaurants and shopping.
For more camp information: Email: [ jd at xcoregon.org ] or call (541) 317-0217.
