As the start of October rolled around, it was evident that fall was in the air here in Whistler. The mountains already had their first snowfall back in September and the leaves were lying on the trails. This could only mean one thing - Winter is on its way! For skiers, it also means the annual early-on-snow opportunity at Frozen Thunder in Canmore.
Since starting skiing a couple years ago, I always herd of this place, but had no idea what it was about! Thankfully, I finally got the opportunity as the team travelled to Canmore for a week of on-snow training. For those of you that dont know, Frozen Thunder is a usually a 2km loop of snow on the trails at the Canmore Nordic Centre. Back in the winter, they blow a bunch of snow and pile it up and cover it with saw-dust. They than un-ravil it in mid Ocotober for skiers to ski on.
Since starting skiing a couple years ago, I always herd of this place, but had no idea what it was about! Thankfully, I finally got the opportunity as the team travelled to Canmore for a week of on-snow training. For those of you that dont know, Frozen Thunder is a usually a 2km loop of snow on the trails at the Canmore Nordic Centre. Back in the winter, they blow a bunch of snow and pile it up and cover it with saw-dust. They than un-ravil it in mid Ocotober for skiers to ski on.
The pit that was filled with snow - now on the trails!
Frozen Thunder is the earliest on-snow training opportunity in North America and this year I saw skiers from as far away as Austria to enjoy these trails. Of course, the US and Canadian National Ski Teams and all the National Development Centres were there as well. To say the least, you were constantly surrounded by great skiers.
Frozen Thunder was also home to the first races of the year. It was the second annual Classic Sprint races. Our team had raced, unfortunalty none qualified. It was a tough field, with only 16 moving onto heats out of more than 50 skiers. I was happy with some parts of my race however other parts didn't go as well. That being said, it felt good to get that first race 'under the belt' and next races will be better!
Frozen Thunder was also home to the first races of the year. It was the second annual Classic Sprint races. Our team had raced, unfortunalty none qualified. It was a tough field, with only 16 moving onto heats out of more than 50 skiers. I was happy with some parts of my race however other parts didn't go as well. That being said, it felt good to get that first race 'under the belt' and next races will be better!
Semi Final heats for the men
B-finales for the mens.
Beautiful Saturday morning with temperatures around 0. I think most people were doing threshold intentisty on Saturday.
It felt really good to be back on snow, especially to be able to do on-snow intensity. It was a great week of training and to be able to sneak in a race made it even better! Now I can only hope that snow will return to Whistler Olympic Park very soon so I can get back on snow!
I have some photos from before Frozen Thunder that were taken during our testing. We had 3 days of testing that included a ski-erg test, V02 test, up-hill double pole time trial and skate time trial. Overall, I was fairly happy with the results as I had improved on all test since last time!
I have some photos from before Frozen Thunder that were taken during our testing. We had 3 days of testing that included a ski-erg test, V02 test, up-hill double pole time trial and skate time trial. Overall, I was fairly happy with the results as I had improved on all test since last time!
Seb doing V02 as Chris goofs off
Colin during the double pole time-trial
Paul during the 2x pole
Coming back from Frozen Thunder to roller-skiing...............
The team is shortly separated as Martin, Seb and Paul stayed at home in Canmore to ski whereas the rest returned home. We are staying in Whistler for the month and than the race season starts up as we will travel to Canmore for the first races. For the time being, we are back on roller-skis and hoping for snow!
Andrew
Andrew