"I want to make this whole program as accessible as possible to the
local community," said Justin Beckwith, head GMVC XC coach. "This is a
great chance for local Vermont athletes, or folks visiting from further
away, to join GMVS athletes and coaches for quality training sessions."
The first opportunity, on Saturday, June 19, will be a rollerski demo at
Waitsfield Champlain Valley Telephone parking lot. GMVS will supply the
coaching and New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) will provide
the rollerskis. Kids and adults are welcome to come and experience this
fun training gear; participants should bring their own helmets. The
event will run from 9 a.m. to noon and will be free of charge. All ages
are welcome.
On Tuesday, July 13, the GMVS XC will host a BKL Day. Former and future
BKL skiers are invited to join the GMVS team on one of their summer
training sessions. All ages are welcome. This session is designed for
BKL skiers to join with older junior athletes and get a taste for
specific ski training during the dry land season.
On Saturday, July 17, GMVS and the U.S. Biathlon Association (USBA) will
host a laser biathlon event that will include a lot of fun and
instruction (with the potential for a celebrity biathlon appearance!).
The event will run from 9 a.m. to noon at GMVS. Participants should come
ready with athletic attire for running and game play.
The GMVS XC team will also be hosting regular training sessions for
junior athletes Tuesdays and Wednesdays from July 12 to August 11 (as
well as June 22 and 23). The fee covers coaching, video analysis,
transportation and snacks. These sessions will start at 9 a.m. at the
GMVS Sports Center.
The GMVS Nordic Team will also be hosting two dry land camps this summer
for cross country skiers: June 25 through 28 and June 29 through July
3. Camps are designed to bring junior skiers together to train and have
fun. Athletes will focus on conditioning, training education and
refining technique. The first session is four days long and the second
session is five days. Training takes place throughout the Mad River
Valley. Skiers should be prepared for running, ski bounding,
rollerskiing and strength training. Athletes will also have the
opportunity to play soccer and swim in the afternoons.
Each camp ends with a rollerski challenge up Route 17 to Mad River Glen
(or the top of the App Gap) and a time trial. On both June 28 and July 3
(the last days of the two camps), local and visiting Nordic enthusiasts
are invited to come join in or just cheer on the competitors.
Please contact head coach Justin Beckwith at
