2009 Oregon Fall Camp ready to go

Mon, Oct  26, 2009 - By JD Downing

The ninth annual edition of the Oregon Fall XC Ski Camp is enjoying steady advance registration and is ready to go for 2009 featuring an expanded schedule stretching from Friday, December 4 until Sunday, December 13.

As with the past eight seasons, the Oregon Fall Camp features on-snow morning sessions at the Mt Bachelor Nordic Center -- a short, all-weather drive away from beautiful Bend, Oregon. Selected afternoon and evening programs such as training plan workshops, XC ski strength demos, wax clinics, and social events will be added as the 2009 schedule is finalized in early November. Also returning in 2009 is the option to include full ski-specific physiology testing at the Central Oregon Community College Physiology Lab (a very popular camp add-on suitable for all abilities and interests).

The focus of each Fall Camp session is on a progression of skill development developed specifically for high beginner thru advanced adult skiers. Both classic and freestyle technique sessions are available with video analysis offered as often as snow/weather conditions allow. Past campers have raved about the innovative and fun-filled approach of the Oregon Fall Camp with specific attention to individual needs.

Camp Director/Founder J.D. Downing says that the new expanded schedule should only improve what has proved to be one of the most popular camps for master XC skiers found anywhere. "The new schedule allows folks to select from two consecutive weekend options plus any number of weekday combinations in between. Campers can choose any number of days to attend and skiers within easy driving distance can even arrange a non-consecutive schedule if they wish. We are going to set the schedule as of November 6 based on enrollment to that point. So, literally, our early-bird campers will actively determine how exactly the schedule shapes up!"

Downing adds that it is possible that certain dates will completely fill by November 6 based on coach availability. Lab testing slots are also very limited. Thus, early camp registration is strongly encouraged.

Staff for 2009 will once again include Camp Director J.D. Downing (National Director of the American XC Skiers U.S. masters association as well as Coach/Director of the XC Oregon elite race team) joined by members of the XC Oregon team plus talented guest coaches from the Central Oregon ski community.

Mt Bachelor offers spectacularly reliable early December ski conditions with 30-56km of trails open at an modest elevation of 6,300ft groomed daily (trail fee required). For skiers and families that need more than XC trails, Mt Bachelor offers great riding on the alpine side with plentiful back-country options available towards the amazing Three Sisters Wilderness.

Most campers stay in Bend which is reached by daily flights (Bend/Redmond airport, RDM) from six major western hubs. By car, Bend is 7-9 hours from the Sacramento/Bay Area, 5-7 hours from Seattle, 5-6 hours from Boise, and 10-12 hours from the SLC region. Bend is a major regional tourist destination with an array of local attractions including shopping, dining, nightly entertainment, museums, brewery pubs, and incredible outdoor recreation options in any season. As a bonus the next two years, the National Cyclocross Championships will also be held in the heart of Bend (December 10-13 in 2009).

Full information and registration materials for the 2009 Oregon Fall Camp can be found on www.xcoregon.org. Updates will follow weekly until the camp starts.