Summer Camps Set the Stage for Winter
Summer training looked different across CVA’s programs, but the goal remained the same: give athletes meaningful opportunities to develop their skills and prepare for the season ahead. From Action Sports to preseason Alpine camps in Chile and New Zealand, athletes trained across a range of environments and conditions while building toward winter.
Action Sports Camp - Freeski, Moguls, & Snowboard
For CVA Action Sports, summer training is all about creating opportunities for athletes to develop, progress, and have fun while preparing for the season ahead. The summer began with on-snow training at Mount Hood, bringing together CVA full-time and Weekend Program athletes across discipline-specific environments. After returning home, the program shifted to trampoline and skateboarding, developing air awareness, body control, balance, and coordination that translate directly to performance on snow.
The next phase sent athletes to Quebec, where Park skiers and snowboarders trained at the Bag Jump facility while the Mogul team headed to the Water Ramp. “These facilities give athletes the opportunity to safely work on new tricks, aerial positions, and progressions that can be difficult to develop on snow,” said Nate McKenzie, Action Sports Director.
The camps produced significant growth, including more than three athletes adapting to and learning backflips, along with numerous other new skills and progressions. Chris Savage led the way in continuing to push his progression toward a Cork 10, demonstrating the level of skill development and ambition that these specialized training environments can create.
CVA is already looking ahead to next summer, with plans to expand its Action Sports camp offerings. “The summer may be winding down, but the progression continues,” said McKenzie.
Chile Camp - FIS Men & U16
The FIS men and U16 team headed to Corralco, Chile, for preseason training and were greeted by historic snowfall in the Andes. The wide variety of snow conditions created diverse learning opportunities through free skiing, drills, stubby sessions and GS training.
On one memorable day, the athletes put their race skis aside to ski untouched powder. As Jenny Piot, Alpine Program Director, put it, “I think today will be a day to remember for everyone. A kind of day you only get a few times in your life.”
From powder skiing to tactical training, the focus throughout camp has been on building the fundamentals of ski racing technique and tactics while establishing a strong foundation for the upcoming season. The team has also built a strong sense of community along the way. “The energy remains high, the athletes are working hard, and the camaraderie within the group has been great.”
With several great weather windows and plenty of productive time on snow, tremendous progress was seen across the group. The athletes arrived in Corralco motivated, focused, and ready to work, developing the skills necessary to start the season strong.
New Zealand Camp - FIS Women
The women’s FIS team commenced their ski season with a trip to New Zealand, training at Round Hill and Mt. Dobson. For the undergrads, that meant a 12-day training trip, while the postgraduates stayed longer for a 20-day stint. The trip started with an exceptional stretch of weather and great conditions, with the team brushing shoulders with many National Team athletes, including the U.S. women, Alice Robinson, and the Norwegian Tech Team.
Though New Zealand weather can be unpredictable, the FIS women averaged around 20 runs each ski day, taking recovery days when Mother Nature dictated. Coaches were extremely happy with how everyone skied, with Kirk Dwyer, Head Women’s FIS Alpine Coach, noting, “The attitude and effort of the athletes has been outstanding. They work hard and are having a great time skiing together.”
When challenging weather patterns arrived toward the end of the trip, the team got a little creative. The owner of Mt. Dobson opened the lower Pomo lift specifically for the team so the athletes could train even while the rest of the mountain was closed. At one point, the owner even resorted to towing the athletes behind his snowmachine to get them up the hill. It was an unexpected solution to a challenging weather day, and one the team will remember for years to come.
Across three different programs and destinations, the summer brought plenty of new experiences, challenges, and time spent training together. Now, with athletes returning to campus and winter approaching, the focus shifts to putting that work into action.
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Summer Camps Set the Stage for Winter
Summer training looked different across CVA’s programs, but the goal remained the same: give athletes meaningful opportunities to develop their skills and prepare for the season ahead. From Action Sports to preseason Alpine camps in Chile and New Zealand, athletes trained across a range of environments and conditions while building toward winter.Read More -
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