I have been wanting to do some blogging about how I train for all my adventures featured in the trip reports section of my website. Fitness training for climbing, paddling, backpacking, and ski trips are all very different so I'd like to do a blog for each. Backcountry ski touring has been a passion of mine for for the past few years. This involves skiing up a mountain using Alpine Touring gear (skins, specialized ski boots and bindings,etc) and then skiing back down all in one day or over the course of a few days. The sport's popularity and growth has steadily increased over the past decade, in both Eastern and Western parts of North America.
Training involves climbing 2000-3000ft per day and being able to ski down with a pack on.
My favourite training spot is at my local ski hill Calabogie Peaks. It has a 700ft drop and is home to the longest green run in Ontario. This run, called the "Ole K&P", named after the old Kingston-Pembroke railline nearby, is 2 kilometers in length and has the perfect grade for ski touring training. It takes us about an hour to do one lap: 45 minute walk up on skis with skins on the bottom for traction, transition to downhill mode at the top, and ski down back to the bottom of the hill. We generally do 3 laps for training, for a total ascent of 2100ft (6km) which is good training for a day out touring.
Before heading out, make sure if your local ski hill has any 'uphill' policies. We always skin on the side of the trail, in single file, as a tight group. We also pick a wide green run to skin up so that downhill traffic has room to move. We have never had any issues.
Everytime we go out, we often get cheered on by others, having people stop and ask questions, or get yelled at: "You're going the wrong way!". The most common questions we get are about the specialized equipment, and what we are training for. There are several fantastic backcountry ski destinations in Quebec, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. To read more about some of the backcountry ski trips we've done in the Eastern and Western parts of North America click here.
Training involves climbing 2000-3000ft per day and being able to ski down with a pack on.
My favourite training spot is at my local ski hill Calabogie Peaks. It has a 700ft drop and is home to the longest green run in Ontario. This run, called the "Ole K&P", named after the old Kingston-Pembroke railline nearby, is 2 kilometers in length and has the perfect grade for ski touring training. It takes us about an hour to do one lap: 45 minute walk up on skis with skins on the bottom for traction, transition to downhill mode at the top, and ski down back to the bottom of the hill. We generally do 3 laps for training, for a total ascent of 2100ft (6km) which is good training for a day out touring.
Before heading out, make sure if your local ski hill has any 'uphill' policies. We always skin on the side of the trail, in single file, as a tight group. We also pick a wide green run to skin up so that downhill traffic has room to move. We have never had any issues.
Everytime we go out, we often get cheered on by others, having people stop and ask questions, or get yelled at: "You're going the wrong way!". The most common questions we get are about the specialized equipment, and what we are training for. There are several fantastic backcountry ski destinations in Quebec, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. To read more about some of the backcountry ski trips we've done in the Eastern and Western parts of North America click here.
AT ski touring is a great aerobic workout. The rhythm of moving the skis up hill is almost hypnotic. When reaching the summit the feeling of earning your turns makes the downhill ride that much sweeter. Transitioning into downhill mode involves removing skins from your skis, adjusting your bindings so you can lock your boots in, donning a helmet and adjusting your boots into ski mode. Skiing with a pack on and with lightweight skis is different than regular skiing. Refining your equipment and systems and adapting your skiing technique are what these training days are all about.
When it's time for a break, Calabogie has a Top Hut that has a fireplace, tables and benches. A perfect place to stop and warm up, or to eat lunch and enjoy the view.
No backcountry ski training is complete without spending ample time going down hill. It's no secret that winter arrived late in the east this year so my legs are behind schedule with being 'ski-fit'. The second half of #MyDayAtCalabogie was spent riding the chair and getting as many turns in as possible while swapping out my touring skis for carving skis.
Calabogie has 25 unique interesting runs, 2 quad chairlifts, and 1 carpet lift for the beginner area. It has some of the steepest terrain in the region and 1 terrain park.
Calabogie is also a fantastic destination if you are a snowboarder (yes I do that too!). The variety of runs makes boarding interesting, and the terrain changes make both your mind and body engaged from top to bottom.
No day on the hill is complete without enjoying the après-ski. Black Donald's Pub in the Calabogie base lodge hosts live music every Saturday. A great way to unwind with friends after a day on the slopes, especially when going UP and DOWN!
All in all, Calabogie is a fantastic ski destination in the Eastern Ontario-Western Quebec region no matter if you board, ski, or tour!
Calabogie has 25 unique interesting runs, 2 quad chairlifts, and 1 carpet lift for the beginner area. It has some of the steepest terrain in the region and 1 terrain park.
Calabogie is also a fantastic destination if you are a snowboarder (yes I do that too!). The variety of runs makes boarding interesting, and the terrain changes make both your mind and body engaged from top to bottom.
No day on the hill is complete without enjoying the après-ski. Black Donald's Pub in the Calabogie base lodge hosts live music every Saturday. A great way to unwind with friends after a day on the slopes, especially when going UP and DOWN!
All in all, Calabogie is a fantastic ski destination in the Eastern Ontario-Western Quebec region no matter if you board, ski, or tour!