Oregon Spring Training Camp

When you're new-KSC-member, long-time skier Jane Ritchey and you just can't bear for the ski season to be over yet, what's a girl to do but head down to Bend for JD Downing's renowned spring training camp? Rob and Suzanne felt the same way and they went with her; all three experienced fantastic skiing, fantastic coaching, an inspirational head start on next season! Below is Jane's report, followed by some additional commentary from Rob. (Both photos are Rob's.)

Suzanne, Jane, and Stacey Galinant, coach for Bogus Basin Nordic Team and spring camp and MWC regular 

As reports came back from Rob and Suzanne’s trip to the World Cup, I was inspired to look for more opportunities to race or at least work on technique. After the Ozbaldy race it seemed too soon to end the XC season and KSC snow melt was looking like there would be very little track skiing after the end of grooming March 30th. I was starting to dream about going with the US team to Italy in 2026. So I started checking out the American XCSkiers website to find more info about their activities and organization. I had heard plenty about their director JD Downing from Suzanne, who raves about their trips and his skill as a coach and trip planner. After joining AXCS, I considered going to their Spring training camp at Mt Bachelor. Scheduled in mid April, I could count it as a birthday treat for myself and I hoped to convince Rob and Suzanne to go too, for late season fun and training. I have been eager for some instruction after being out of XC racing since 1971. I hoped to try skating again too (but with guidance ) since I also hadn’t skated in over 20 years. 

It worked out that Suzanne and Rob were up for this trip and we could go together. Driving down to Mt. Bachelor the day before the camp started was an adventure in itself, visiting Rob’s family on the way and arriving at our condo in Mt Bachelor Village at dinnertime. We had been given exacting instructions by the camp leader JD Downing on timing for the next morning including trail pass advance purchase, travel time to the XC venue, parking instructions, restroom location and opening times and schedule for the camp sessions. We were even instructed on how to find our group if we were late.

The camp offerings were for four days mix and match skating or classic, three hours of instruction which included videos each day, then detailed online analysis in the afternoon that could be viewed as much as desired and also could be downloaded. We all chose classic the first day, and skate the next two days for three days total.

Weather all three days was the typical spring variety- frozen track to start and then very soft by noon. Suzanne and I opted for zeros and skin skis for the classic day with Rob going for good wax (his specialty). The  two skate days were very rewarding for this old out-of-practice and very nervous skater. The morning starts for my small group were held on a teaching oval with only a few degrees rise. My confidence rose thanks to the skill of the instructors and the softening snow. 

A word about the instructors and organization: Awesome! The attention to detail, personalized instruction in small groups, level of professional certification and total commitment to the job were obvious at every turn. I would take another clinic from this group anytime. I can’t wait until fall when I can go again, and I am planning to join JD Downing and the AXCS for the Masters World Cup in Sappada Italy in 2026. 

Jane Ritchey
UW 4way ski team 1968-1971
Professional Ski instructor 1968-2004

 

Additional commentary from Rob:

 

David, an "excellent" coach in Rob's view, and he knows one when he sees one!

I had Emma, Mt Bachelor staff, in skate on day 2.  Incredibly perceptive. Excellent advice. Very good session, even though I brought up the rear and would only be finishing the practice oval or hill or wherever when she had started talking again!  They left me behind on the return to the Nordic Center and my Fischer boot delaminated sole from upper.  After ten minutes of walking without a sole, she came and found me and carried my skis back.

Camp attendees tell JD which techniques they wish to work on and he works out a schedule. I did a day of classic with JD then a day of skate with Emma.  I free skied on the third day and we left on Saturday without doing the fourth day.

Even today, ski walking in Genesee Park, Suzanne had a technique breakthrough by watching her shadow to make a change!  JD’s suggestion!