Glacier Outdoor Center Blog

Well, it is November–that weird time of year for anxious skiers. It is getting cold, but the snow hasn’t quite fallen low enough for us to go out and enjoy. So we wait, hibernate, wax our skis and get a little twitchy. It’s the perfect time to ramp up your pre-season workouts, and we’ve found a few good resources on how best to get into Nordic shape.  It’s a good distraction, and you’ll feel great when the snow in December does finally roll in.

Here are a few tips we’ve pulled from several different resources. Just follow the link highlighted on each one to read the full article.

1. We started by Googling “how to get into good Nordic shape” and this came up from e-How:

• Work on your endurance levels by taking up running or joining a spinning class. Cross country skiing makes high demands on your cardiovascular system, particularly if you are skiing at a faster pace. Cardio exercise will help to increase your body’s ability to take in and use oxygen more efficiently.
• Pick up some weights and work on weight training your large muscle groups in your arms and chest. Because poles play a large part in the activity of cross country skiing, it is important to build muscle mass for strength and keep your biceps, triceps and other arm and chest muscles in shape

2. Then from a blog search, I found a blog called, The Brave Ski Mom, and she highlighted gym exercises for the “15 Minute Nordic Skiing Workout.” I especially like the Scissor Jump for punishment after my second Oreo:

• This exercise starts in the lunge position.  As you leave this position, you jump into the air, scissor your legs into opposite positions and lunge.  Basically, you go from a right-leg forward lunge to a left-leg forward lunge, by switching your legs in mid-air.

3. Then according to an ezine article I found, the author stresses cardio as the key ingredient to getting your legs in shape.

• Choose cardio exercises that simulate skiing, whenever possible. For cardio, cross-country ski machines and slide-boards are two good choices.

4. Finally, our own Whitefish Mountain Resort has created an on-going series of  tips called,  “Ski Conditioning with Holly” to get everyone  ready for the chairlift to start turning. Yes, this ideally for downhill skiing, but I figure, it can’t hurt to incorporate these great tips into our Nordic plan.

• …we will increase the challenge by working on unstable surfaces.  Skiing requires that we constantly fine tune our balance and position while our legs are loaded so lets mimic that by working on balance pods or a bosu. Standing on two balance pods with your feet hip width apart, perform your squats with the same form of dropping your behind to the back and your knees aligning over your feet.  This can also be done standing on a bosu ball.

I’ve also found that it is totally normal in my household to lunge to and from the fridge, bathroom and garage. I  know that every little bit helps to keep the burning quad sensation at bay when I first put on my skis.

I hope this helps in getting you motivated to take advantage of this pre-ski season time to build your endurance and level of fitness up enough to thoroughly enjoy the upcoming season. I think it is going to be a good one!

Angel Collinson is one of the top freeskiers in the world right now and Glacier Raft Co. was lucky enough to have her as a raft guide this past summer.  Now that rafting season is long since been over, the overall Subaru World Freeskiing title holder is back in Utah and has already been dominating the field at the first stops in this season’s tour.  Read the interview she did with Freeskier Magazine below:

After a less than satisfying stint racing with the US Team, Angel Collinson switched gears last year and exploded onto the freeskiing scene.  She won the overall Subaru World Freeskiing title in her first ever competition season, while still attending the University of Utah full time on a full academic scholarship.  Angel spend her formative years hiking in Wasatch backcountry and learning about skiing and to respect the mountains from her father, Jim, and little brother, John.  Jim is a Snowbird ski patroller and somewhat of a Cottonwood legend.  Last year, Johnny became the youngest person to climb the highest summits on each of the seven continents.  It’s fair to say mountains and snow run in Angel’s blood, and she is quickly becoming a star in her own right after taking first and a second in the first two stops of this year’s tour down in South America.

Was winning the overall Tour title something you allowed yourself to think about going into your first competition season last year?

Kind of, on a tentative level.  But I didn’t really know what women skied like.  I had only ever skied with guys.  I just wanted to get out there and have fun and see what happened.  But I thought that it might be a possibility.  It was really cool to come on the scene and do well right off the bat because I had worked so hard at ski racing for so long, it was nice to see it pay off, even in a different way.

Do you feel like your ski racing background helped your freeskiing?

I really feel like racing is the whole reason I am where I am right now.  Last year was really fun and really gratifying because I had spent so much time dedicated to my skiing and now I could see the results of that.  The big-mountain world is where it really showed.  So I was just on a joy ride and having fun.

Why did you switch from racing to freeskiing?

I’d been doing really well two years ago in ski racing.  I was getting invited to ski with the US Team and really thought I would get named to the team next year.  They ended up picking a bunch of 15 and 16-year-olds.  They didn’t even call me.  But it was kind of a blessing because I realized I was doing everything I could to be one of the best racers in the US and it still wasn’t fun.  So I had to go through a process of asking myself, “Why wasn’t it fun?”  I just love skiing so much and so much of ski racing is not skiing.  I wanted to experience more.  My brother was on the Junior World Tour and he loved it and encouraged me to sign up and that’s where the transition came from.

How has your family helped shape your skiing?

My mom is kind of the bedrock.  She’s the one who makes it all possible because we could still live up the Canyon and go to school because she homed schooled me and six other kids in a one-room schoolhouse all winter.  And then dad worked up there.  He’s been skiing some gnarly lines in the Wasatch before people even thought about doing it.  He’s pioneered so many lines up there but he’s really humble and he hates talking about it so nobody really knows.  My dad has this amazing ability to know me and my brother’s limits and sometimes it sucks, because he’ll push you into things you’re not sure about, but he helps push our choices because he knows our technical abilities even better than we do.

What’s your approach to a competition?

I always start out looking up from the bottom of the venue because I like to try to pick an aesthetically pleasing line.  Then I get to the top and hope that it’s a fast, fluid line.  I pick a line that is technical and super fast where I can just do some big turns, which is what I feel I’m good at.  I then ski the lines for the airs because I’m still pretty new at that.  My goal this year is to start stomping bigger and then throwing tricks because I feel like that’s where I have some room for improvement.

We can’t wait to see how the rest of Angel’s season turns out!

And the good news just keeps on coming! We told you earlier in the week that we were running a special on all Nordic Passes in September. Now, we’ve decided to extend this offer through the month of October! You can get a single Nordic ski pass for the 2010/2011 winter season up here on our groomed trails for only $40 or a pass for the whole family for $75.

The Nordic Trails, behind the Glacier Outdoor Center,  are something we take great pride in, meticulously grooming daily. We’ll give you weather updates and snow reports daily on the website, so you can plan for appropriate wax conditions before you head up here!

Now, with this chilly weather in September upon us, it puts you in the mood. Right?

I know these beautiful September days keep us all wishing for just a little more sunshine and summer, but the reality is, Fall is here. Then once it is Fall, it means Winter is close behind–something we are all pretty psyched about this time of year–especially an El Nina winter! So, in celebration of this, the Glacier Outdoor Center is offering a sweet deal on Nordic Passes on our groomed track when you purchase them during the month of September.  The deal is $10 off a 2010/11 season pass  for the Glacier Outdoor Center Nordic Track. So, get yourself a $40 season pass or get a pass for the whole family for $75.

Just give us a call: 406-888-5454, or come up to West Glacier and pay us a visit in person to get your early-bird, antsy-in-the-pantsy, get psyhed on winter Nordic Pass.  Again, we’re offering this pre-season deal through the month of September.  So, when the snow flies–and it will–you’ll be ready to get first tracks.  Tell your friends and rally.  Hope to see you soon!

It’s been a fun and busy summer for us at Glacier Raft Company/Glacier Outdoor Center.  And there’s still plenty of summer fun to be had up here.  As the tourist crowds start to dwindle, it’s prime time to come join us for whitewater and fishing adventures before sending those kids back to school.

And, it’s a great time to start thinking about late summer and fall fly fishing.  This area sees some pretty impressive trout action in the late season.  We’ll continue to fish the North Fork and Middle Fork of the Flathead into October with success.

In September, we see the biggest transformation of the seasons as summer turns into fall.  The nights get a little colder while the days stay warm and enjoyable.  (For the most part.)  The leaves start getting crazy with colors and at higher elevations snow begins to offer a hint at what we’re in for in the coming months.  Many locals say September in Montana is the best month of the year.

Also, right about now we start having people book our cabins for winter getaways.  We stay busy in the winter with our 15k Nordic ski track, and with our guided snowshoe trips inside Glacier National Park.  We have a full-service gear shop and ski/snowshoe rental shop that is open for winter enthusiasts.  If you are a summertime guest, we’d love to have you back in the wintertime too.  You’ll see that it’s an equally spectacular place with snow on the ground, but a very different experience.  You’ll see a lot of wildlife and stunning views, and the peace and quiet is therapeutic.

Keep in mind, we do have shoulder season and low season rates, as well as many special deals for winter guests.

So, enjoy this home stretch of summer–and we’ll see you back here in glorious September, and in the peaceful wintertime.

We’re so excited to be hosting the Western States Youth Ski Festival this weekend.  The youth Nordic skiing competition is called The Race at Glacier.  And while you may have read about it previously here on our blog, don’t take our word for it–take it from the real wordsmiths at the Missoulian and Flathead News Group.  Check out their articles…and we look forward to seeing you up here this weekend.

When you come, please bring a camera, and send us your best pics–we’d love to post them here on our website!

Glacier Outdoor Center Hosts The Race at Glacier for the 2010 Western States Youth Ski Festival
Young skiers are set to gather in West Glacier to compete in Nordic events

For the first time ever, Glacier Outdoor Center and Glacier Nordic Ski Club are teaming up to host “The Race at Glacier” for the 2010 Western States Youth Ski Festival. The race, which was previously held in Sun Valley, Idaho,  will bring more than 150 Nordic racers, ages 6-15, from all across the Northwest and Rocky Mountain Region to compete in this two-day event.

• When: Saturday, Feb. 27th  9:30am-2:30pm Sunday, Feb. 28th 9:30am-12:00pm
• Where: Glacier Outdoor Center, 12400 Hwy 2 East, West Glacier, MT 59936
• Who: 150+ Youth Nordic Racers from Montana, Idaho, Utah, Washington and Canada
• What: Skate, Classic, Obstacle and Downhill Nordic race events

The registration deadline is Monday, February 22nd.  Forms are available by emailing Linda Grady at skiranch@centurytel.net.  The entry fee for youth racers is $50 for all four events and includes the Saturday banquet, Sunday lunch and an event hat. Adults also have the opportunity to compete in the 7K Masters’ Race held on Saturday after the junior competitions.  The entry fee is $15 and registration will take place on-site.

Concessions and luxury cabin accommodations are available at Glacier Outdoor Center and spectators are welcome. Volunteers are needed for timing, course maintenance and food concession.  Cameron Blake is the volunteer coordinator and can be reached at blakegray@centurytel.net.

We have been able to get out and groom again today, the trails are in good condition, and we have full coverage through out the system.   Come on out, the skiing has been really good lately!

No matter how many years you’ve managed to dodge the Valentine’s Day bullet, it never seems to get any easier. Sure, flowers and chocolate are great, but what about a gift you’ll both enjoy?  How does a romantic night spent at one of GOC’s rustic cabins sound?!  Pretty good, right?

Glacier Outdoor Center still has a few one-bedroom cabins available for the Valentine’s Day weekend (that’s February 14th guys!)  At $119 per night and use of the snowshoe and Nordic ski trails included, that’s a price you just can’t beat.

And, if you don’t book that cabin before they’re all taken, we’ve still got a great idea for your romantic weekend.  Take advantage of our “Two Hearts Ski as One” promotion.  On Valentines Day, couples get two ski passes and two rentals for the price of one!

To book a romantic Valentine’s Day getaway call us at 1-800-235-6781.  Or, bring your two hearts up on Sunday the 14th to ski as one!

1-800-235-6781  | PHONE: 406-888-5454

Koa

Good luck to all the racers signed up for tomorrow’s skijoring race! Koa and I wish we could be there, but he’s got some growing left before we strap on the harness. Sad to pass on the race this year, but watch for us to make a bid for the top spot in 2011.

Cheers,

Carl & Koa