Quebec Camp Day 3: Its still Frosty Outside, but there's Hot Potato Pancakes on the Griddle

It was the last day of really cold weather before a warm-up, but that didn't stop us from taking advantage of the cold cut tracks and logging in the K's. The temperature topped out at 6 degrees, it was a gorgeously blue-sky day, and our afternoon ski was highlighted by a rainbow geyser followed by a near-full moon on the rise.

In the morning we had a classic technique session, lots of one-pole and no-pole skiing to engrain the fundamentals. Afterward the boys went on a long tour in preparation for their afternoon of rest and recovery. In the afternoon the girls team skated an easy session and we returned back to a dinner created by the boys team, Sous Chef Dimitri at the charge: Roesti (Potato Pankakes) topped with sauteed mushrooms and onions in a cream sauce, with applesauce on the side. Garlic bread, salad, bacon rounded out our plates, and the dessert table of cake, brownies, icecream and homemade fudge sauce was no less impressive. YUM! It was easy to take advantage of our rising metabolism with the delicious spread.

Saunas, Guesstures, and movies were the activities that preceded a good night of sleep. . .

This place is awesome.

"In the frosty air"

One-pole drills

Love that Cord.

Hannah tells us (yes, she is serious) "This is my new favorite outfit"

We are treated to a rainbow with the setting sun.

Blair is a bit frosted up at the end of the evening ski.

The Double Flip: Dimitri and Even cooking Roesti

Casey and Phil set the table

Dinner Chatter

Alice performs "tango" and leads her team to victory in a close game of Guesstures.

Quebec Camp Day 2: Just a tad bit chilly

It was pretty cold in Mont Ste Anne, Rode green being the kicker of the day, but that didn't stop the Ephs from putting it in a solid double session. In the morning we skated 4x4 intervals on varied, slight uphill, terrain - the snow was a bit squeeky-cold, but the Cows skiied tough, several of the boys feeling snappy enough to crank out a 5th interval.
After a large lunch, movie, and a nap we went back out for an easy afternoon classic ski and stayed out long enough to watch the moonrise take over for the sunset.
The girls recovered from a near disaster (who put liquid detergent in the dish washer?! Bubbles everywhere!) to cook up a sweet potato curry, salad, and lemon pudding. The boys hit the sauna afterward, making sure to first break up the top layer of hard crust on the snow BEFORE jumping in. All is well! . . . . . . . And did I mention we LOVE this place?

Can you tell who this is? . . . . . Holly, Maddy, Hannah, start out on their afternoon ski.

Sarah and Alice are happy campers.

Sarah knows how to make a worthy sandwich.

A drink break outside a cabin on loop 33: Sarah, Robby, Evan, Keith, Caleb, Dimitri, Alice

The Freshmen: Casey, Ian, Phil at the end of an afternoon ski

Eating Sweet Potato Curry and salad at the Girls' condo.

Quebec Camp Day 1: SO MUCH SNOW!

We drove 8 hours in the pouring rain only to arrive in a snow paradise here at Mont Ste Anne, Quebec. We did a double session: skating in the morning and classic skiing with specific strength in the afternoon, followed by an amazing lasagna dinner and lemon bars cooked and served by the boys team. After dinner was technique video taken during the classic ski - Robby got the only two thumbs up from Bud and Aubrey for his dynamic double pole. So far SO good. We love this place!


Maddy, Blair, Kate, Andrea, Holly, Alice


Robby shows freshmen Phil and Casey how to get dynamic

Evan and Keith making salad

Caleb presents the lasagna

Ian and Kate dish up

Skiing at Prospect!

Snow Snow Snow! It snowed hard last Wednesday and brought a foot of snow to our home course at Prospect Mountain, so some of us have been skiing there since last Thursday. Steve is not able to use the Paana groomer yet, but there is pretty full coverage on the trails and he has been diligent about grooming with the snowcat, so we do have tracks! We are all psyched to get some strides and glides in before finals hit. . . .

Sarah and Hannah enjoying the sunshine

Caleb and Prospect lodge

The boys team feeling good at the end of a distance sesh.

Waiting for a storm. . . .

Well, we received a couple inches of whiteness Saturday evening - just barely enought to slide around on the college golf course. It was a frustrating ski on Sunday morning, when the new snow on not-yet-frozen ground made everyone's skis ice up. The snow settled by Monday, however, and we were able to complete our weekly specific strength workout on the snow with prety good results. . . . . we even ended the day with a little relay sprint race, although I really can't remember the winners. . . .

Atay, Coach Fisher, Phil, Casey, and Ian out for a glide

Robby

Coach Fisher shows his form

Specific strength intervals. . .

. . . followed by sprint relays (go Alice!)

Phil tries to keep up with Evan's mad poling skillz

We skiied until dusk, then followed the lights of town on home. . . .

I only wish I was this fast. . .

Snow...here.

Prospect Mountain is reporting seven inches of snow on their twitter feed! If our luck permits, we may be on snow this week. Wouldn't that be awesome? Whatever your superstition is, break it out.

In other news, fellow Eph Mark Johnson claimed a strong second place finish at the first US Biathlon Association race in West Yellowstone, MT. Pictured at left is Mark during his turn at the range. (Photo credit: Win Goodbody, FasterSkier.com)

And speaking of races, the first Eastern Cup weekend is only 18 days off! Think snow.

Skiing

We were able to get on snow yesterday. Not too many kilometers, but we weren't complaining...

Day 2 of WC Weekend: Mass Start Skate Roll

Second day of our race-simulation weekend called for a skate rollerski time trial up the steep and winding Petersburg Pass.

The ladies team skis (b/c of injury, Hannah is running) up the pass.

Alex Taylor leads the men's team off the start - the winner of the mens race, Atay also bested his own personal time by 2 minutes and 10 seconds over a 24 minute course. Now THATS improvement!

Alice Nelson and Holly Whitney cross the finish line a split second apart, mimicking last year's close finish.

Caleb Lucy nears the finish while coach Fisher records the time for the record book.

World Cup in Williamstown

If you can't make it to Beitostølen this weekend, make Beitostølen come to you. Today and tomorrow, the Ephs look to emulate the start of the World Cup year by time trialling their way through the Williamstown area. Early this morning under overcast skies in brisk fall temperatures, the team raced the first of two time trials this weekend: a classic interval start 7.5k for women, and a 10k for the men.

Dimitri Luthi '12 charges out of the start.

Robby Cuthbert '11

Mens' Winner and Captain Alex Taylor '10

Men and women ski together up a hill with about 5km to go in Hancock, MA.

Caleb Lucy '11

Christina Knapp '13

Mens' Winner Alex Taylor '10 on his way to victory

Dimitri Luthi '12 powers the last hill of the 10k.

Erik Anderson '12 and Evan Dethier '11 locked in battle

Robby's DP skills

Senior Captain Alice Nelson '10 shows the team how high hands are done during her finish

Holly Whitney '12

Blair Robinson '13

Tomorrow's race is a 7.0 / 7.5 k skate that ends atop Petersburg Pass. More photos will follow.