Northwood ski team members at Copper Mountain. Photo provided.
The first week of the pre-race season ski camp in Copper Mountain, Colorado, is underway. The camp started out with a 4-day block of GS (Giant Slalom) training on the main training lane. A total of 33 FIS athletes are at the camp; 29 are Northwood athletes, and 4 are NYSEF Winter Term athletes.
The first two days of GS were easier days, with flowy courses to help us get our feet under us again. The next 2 days had a more rigorous set and also had timing, which made teammates fight for that top spot.
A typical day at the camp includes breakfast around 8:00 a.m., with a departure for the mountain at 9:15 a.m. and loading the lift by 10:00 a.m. On average, we have been getting 9-13 runs in our 2-hour blocks. Copper Mountain is a very popular training location because the conditions are very well-maintained. Because the training there is so good, we have to share the training lanes with other teams, including private schools like Northwood, national teams, and some professionals.
Husky ski racers saw the Northern Lights in Colorado. Photo provided.
When our 2-hour blocks end, we return to our nearby condo accommodations, have about 30 minutes for lunch, and then we have a 3-hour study hall. Later in the afternoon, we have a video review of the morning runs and then tune our skis before or after dinner. This can take 45 minutes to an hour. At 7:30, we have a team meeting at one of the condos. Then it’s lights-out at 9:30. We all need to be well-rested for the next day.
This Cooper Mountain Ski Camp is very important preparation for the start of the official race season, which kicks off with a slalom race at GMVS (Green Mountain Valley School) on December 2nd – 3rd.