Masters Nordic Racing and Training in the Methow Valley

Last updated 10/03/11.

Introduction
The Methow Valley is a paradise for adult outdoor athletes. There is a strong contingent of Masters who train year round for cross country skiing and biathlon. If you're interested in improving your skills, fitness, or want to race, please join the Methow Valley Nordic Club (MVNC) and take part in its events and training sessions. The MVN Club is oriented to adults and the MVN Team is for the juniors, but the two groups are gradually becoming closer and doing more things together, such as training races. Masters activities are self-supporting and net profit is used to support scholarships in the the Junior Program. A list of the skill development and training opportunities in groups is given below. For a list of local and regional races and other annual events of interest to Masters, please see the Methow Masters Nordic Schedule.

If you are planning to attend an out-of-area race this year, please let Masters Coordinator Scott Waichler know about it. Every year a small contingent goes to the American Birkebeiner, and other races attended by Methow folks include the West Yellowstone Rendezvous, the Boulder Mountain Tour, as well as the races held elsewhere in Washington state by our sister ski clubs. Next year, a contingent is going to the 2013 Masters World Cup in Italy.

For more information about the masters scene, feel free to contact masters@mvnordic.com. Happy skiing!

What is a Master?
It simply means an adult who has a full life and doesn't train and race full-time. Another definition might be someone who is unlikely to be as fast as they were earlier in life. Technically, it means someone 25 or older in the context of the US National Masters Championships, or someone 30 or older at the Masters World Cup. Local and regional ski races generally have 10-year age groupings for adults: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, etc. Five-year age groupings are used at National Masters and World Masters Championships. FYI, Junior racing categories go up to age 18, and "Senior" usually refers to athletes aged 19 to 29 (or older in the context of elite events). American Cross Country Skiers is the U.S. cross country ski national membership association for adult citizen racers. Join them, help our sport, and get great benefits. AXCS operates a great website, xcskiworld.com. Another good website is fasterskier.com.

Ski Races and Tours
Here is an all-inclusive calendar specifically for Methow Valley Masters: Methow Masters Nordic Schedule.

Multi-week Training and Technique Groups
For more information on classes offered by Methow Valley Nordic Club, please contact Scott Waichler, 996-8260, unless otherwise noted below. For more information on classes offered by Winthrop Fitness, please contact Janice Dickinson, 996-8234.

Fall Strength Training Sessions. Plyometrics, weight training, and core work. Monday mornings, two different sessions. Mid-September to Mid-November. Coached by Laura McCabe. Winthrop Fitness.

Fall Dryland Sessions. Interval training with ski walking on uphill gravel roads and trails. Intermediate to Advanced at 4 pm Wednesday afternoons; Beginners Thursday mornings, 1-1/2 hours, Mid-September to Mid-November. Coached by Laura McCabe and Midge Cross. Winthrop Fitness.

Early Winter Strength Training Sessions. Same format as Fall sessions. Plyometrics, weight training, and core work. 5 weeks. Mid-November to Mid-December. Winthrop Fitness.

Masters Skiing Technique and Conditioning Sessions. For more info about weekly skiing sessions, go to the Events and Ski Clinics page.

Winter Strength Training Sessions. ~9 weeks. Same format as Fall sessions. Plyometrics, weight training, and core work with balls and straps. Coached by Laura McCabe. Winthrop Fitness

Spring Interval and Strength Training Sessions. Outdoor aerobic activities with some intervals followed by strength training outdoors or in the gym. 1-1/2 hours. Mid-April to mid-June. Coached by Laura McCabe. Winthrop Fitness.

Fall Rollerskiing on Hwy. 20. Informal get-togethers on Saturday mornings to roller ski. Carpool used for shuttle down from long uphill routes. Info: Scott Waichler, 996-8260.

Indoor Training and Fitness Testing
Winthrop Fitness and Winthrop Physical Therapy offer a full range of strength training facilities (and aerobic, if you must do so indoors!), yoga and pilates classes, physical therapy services, and physiology testing.

Methow Valley Sports Clothing

MVN Custom Ski Clothing
We are again offering our fabulous ski clothing made by Mt Borah with the same custom MVN design. Here is what we are offering, at the same price as last year: jacket ($145), two-piece suit ($155), warm-up pants ($100), and tassel hat ($15). The jacket, suit, and warm-up pants are the best quality, Proline version. Our popular tassel hat, available in two sizes, will also be sold at Methow Cycle & Sport, Winthrop Mountain Sports, Mazama Ski Shop, and Sun Mountain Lodge. If you have any questions, please contact Scott Waichler, 996-8260, scott@methownet.com. Please download the MVN Clothing Order Form (PDF, 24 kB).

Methow Valley Nordic Club Library
A lending library of cross country skiing books, DVDs, CDs, and videos is now available for your reading and viewing pleasure: MVNC Library Catalog. Please browse the catalog and try out our offerings. If you are interested in donating materials or would like to suggest an acquisition, please contact masters@mvnordic.com

MVNC members, MVNT kids, and their parents and coaches may borrow materials. We hope this is an easy way for skiers of all ages to access good information and images of our sport. Nordic Ultratune is generously housing the collection for us at their convenient downtown Winthrop location. Nordic Ultratune's winter hours are as follows: Open 11a-5p Thursday thru Monday; Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Last updated 12/21/2011.