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Skimo Training Location Series – Calgary Olympic Park – Alberta, Canada

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The idea of this series is to highlight a local skimo training zones. Not the big, rad lines in the backcountry that you go to for huge missions, but the day in, day out, reliable training spots. It could be on piste or backcountry but it’s where you go to crank out intervals or hone your descending.
For our third zone in the series, we have Kylee Toth-Ohler telling us about COP on the edge of the Canadian Rockies.

Kylee racing in big sky country at COP.
Kylee racing in big sky country at COP.

Where is it?

Winsport (Canada Olympic Park) Calgary. One hour East of Canmore and the Canadian Rockies!

What makes it special?

It is a great way to get some mid week on snow training without leaving the city.  It is also fun to connect with mountain friends mid week for some comraderie and training.  COP also hosts the first event of the season on the Canadian race calendar – the Vert 180 – in early December!

Where is the trailhead/parking?

Main day lodge for COP in Calgary.

What are the rules?

You can tour up during club time in the area designated we meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:30pm.  You have to have a valid 3 hour Nordic pass or a seasons pass to participate.

What is the local training group?

Our local training group is the Calgary Ski Mountaineering Club.  It was started last year and between 10-15 people come out to participate in a suggested workout.  We also work on skills such as transitions, kick turns, strides, boot pack etc.  Participation in the organized portion is voluntary.

What workouts are best to do here?

Intervals!  COP is only 150 meters high so it is very conducive to controlled and focused heart rate zone training.

Skinning underneath the chair at COP.
Skinning underneath the chair at COP.

Skimo Training Locations Series: Peak 10 – Breckenridge, CO

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Summit Skimo at Breckenridge's Peak 10
Summit Skimo at Breckenridge’s Peak 10
The idea of this series is to highlight a local skimo training zones. Not the big, rad lines in the backcountry that you go to for huge missions, but the day in, day out, reliable training spots. It could be on piste or backcountry but it’s where you go to crank out intervals or hone your descending.
For our second zone in the series, we have Michael Hagen telling us about Peak 10 in the Colorado Rockies near Breckenridge.

Where is it?

Two hours west of Denver, Breckenridge sports a healthy collection of high altitude, Rockies Peaks. Peak 10. is the boundary at the south end of the Breckenridge resort.

What makes it special?

The first mile or so is rather gentle, which makes for a chance to warm up and socialize. At the base of Falcon Chair, the route up Chrystal run gets rather steep. About 1300 feet are gained in the next one mile to the top of the chair. This section makes for a nice threshold effort to the top. It also lends itself well to VO2max intervals like 1’ on/1’ off. The skinning is non-technical although some sections are steep enough that they can test your traction. Some sections are also good for practicing kick turns. At the top of the chair there is an option for a short boot pack and then above tree line skinning for some backcountry descending (often on some severely windblown snow dunes.) Or rip skins at the top of the chair and quickly hit the double black runs (Spitfire or Corsair) to further work over your tired legs on some large moguls. Or head right back down Chrystal (or other runs) for high speed carving (or straight-lining if you dare).
You can make as many laps as you have time for (and the Breck rules permit) on variations of the Peak 10 climbs and descents, or head over to Peak 9 and 8 for more variety. Peak 10 is particularly good early season. Because rocks and stumps have been removed, it requires minimal snow before it is skiable. Peak 10 is the last section of Breckenridge to start operations, typically not until a week or so before Christmas. Until then, you can ski Peak 10 anytime you want (barring preparation work) and after storms have some great powder runs. But that secret is getting out, so if you want first tracks, start early. The warming hut at the top is usually open.

Peak 10
Peak 10

Where is the trailhead/parking?

Beaver Run parking lot (have to be out by 8:15 in the morning, free pass required) or La Cima parking lot (a bit of a walk, but you can park there until 11:00). Transit in Breckenridge is easy and free.
» Strava Segment for Peak 10

What are the rules?

Breckenridge restricted skinning during operation hours last season. So now you have to be done by 8:15 or start after 4:30. The route up and down is restricted to specified ski runs. However, there seems to be a bit of leniency in both these rules.

What is the local training group?

No formal training group, but small groups frequently get together, coordinated via text or email, especially on weekends. Some Saturday mornings on Peak 8 see 30 or more people. Many of the regulars are members of the Summit Skimo Club which welcomes new members to the sport.

Early morning training session on Peak 10.
Early morning training session on Peak 10.

What workouts are best to do here?

My favourite is oxygen-debt transitions practice: Start at the steep section at the base of Falcon chair. Sprint for 1-minute, transition as smoothly and fast as possible; descend for 50 meters, transition to uphill as quick as possible. Recover with 2 minutes of easy skinning. Repeat 10 to 15 times. Mastering these transitions at 10,000+ feet on a steep slope will help make race transitions much smoother and quicker. This is the route of one of the Breck Ascent Series races as well.
Stay tuned to SkinTrack and the Training Zone Series for more of the best training locations around North America and beyond! Got a zone you would like us to showcase? Leave us a comment below and we will get in touch!

About Michael:

Michael Hagen has been ski touring for over twenty years and has competed in dozens of ski mountaineering races, including many with his wife Eva and several with his kids. Mike is the U.S. and Canadian distributor of Hagan Ski Mountaineering Gear as well as an endurance sports coach. He currently coaches several ski mountaineering racers. Mike can be reached at 719-360-1693 or mike@haganskiusa.com.

Skimo Training Locations Series: Diamond Head Trail – Squamish BC

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The idea of this series is to highlight a local skimo training zones. Not the big, rad lines in the backcountry that you go to for huge missions, but the day in, day out, reliable training spots. It could be on piste or backcountry but it’s where you go to crank out intervals or hone your descending.
For our first in the series, we have my local training spot: Diamond Head Trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park outside of Squamish.

BC's South Coast and Garibaldi Provincial Park. The Diamond Head Trail is accessed from Squamish.
BC’s South Coast and Garibaldi Provincial Park. The Diamond Head Trail is accessed from Squamish (bottom left).

Where is it?

Garibaldi Park spans a big chunk of the Coast Mountains between Squamish and Pemberton. Near the southern end, it is accessed via the Diamond Head Trail.

What makes it special?

The Diamond Head Trail/Red Heather area gets some of the biggest snowfall in the region. That also means in North America.
The big old cedar trees, that line the ten feet wide trail, tower over you while you skin and heavy snow stacks high on the branches giving it a serious wintery feeling. By mid-winter, when enough snow has fallen, the switchbacking road can be short cut on the descent, through the trees for an excellent run back to the car. This trail is also the beginning of bigger adventures and provides access to the Elfin Lakes Cabin (20k round trip), Atwell Peak (the volcano that looms over Squamish) and the Garibaldi Neve Traverse (a beautiful high alpine traverse from Squamish to Whistler).
While I’ve spent lots of days skinning on the road, it has also been the start of some epic days in the alpine.

Interval training and Lactate testing on the Diamond Head Trail.
Interval training and Lactate testing on the Diamond Head Trail.

Where is the trailhead/parking?

Drive through Squamish (60km north of Vancouver, BC) and turn right off Highway 99 at Mamquam Road. Pass Quest University where the road turns to dirt. Turn left onto Garibaldi Park Road and be prepared to chain up. Parking is at the end of the road.
» Google Map directions.

What are the rules?

Chains may be required if the road has not been plowed recently or if there is ice. Winter tires don’t cut it and this is ranger enforced on busy weekends. If you get stuck because you didn’t put chains on, expect a hefty off-highway towing bill.
The trail is always open and is frequently quite busy on the weekends but quiet during the week. There is no significant avalanche danger below the Red Heather Cabin though it is the backcountry so dangers always exist.

Nightime interval training on the lower Diamond Head Trail.
Nightime interval training on the lower Diamond Head Trail.

What is the local training group?

There are no organized training groups in Squamish but expect to meet a bunch of other skiers looking for quick access to the backcountry here. Check the Garibaldi Skimo Club on Facebook to connect with other light and fast inclined people on the Coast.

What workouts are best to do here?

The low angle road and usually well buffed surface makes it perfect for fast intervals. Doing 2x 10min of 30sec on, 30sec rest is great for lactate tolerance and technique development. Once you’ve finished your workout, there are nice north facing slopes off Round Mountain (also called Paul Ridge) that hold some great powder!
Stay tuned to SkinTrack and the Training Zone Series for more of the best training locations around North America and beyond! Got a zone you would like us to showcase? Leave us a comment below and we will get in touch!

Skinning on the upper road with Garibaldi and Atwell Peaks in the background.
Skinning on the upper road with Garibaldi and Atwell Peaks in the background.
Good skiing can be had on the North facing slopes of Round Mountain in good avy conditions.
Good skiing can be had on the North facing slopes of Round Mountain in good avy conditions.