Weekly Classes for Nordic Skiers

Methow Valley Nordic offers two basic types of adult weekly classes – classes that focus on technique development, our weekly technique classes, and training groups that build each session around a physical focus. The Weekly technique classes include options for all skill levels from beginner to advanced. Most of our training groups are intended for skiers from intermediate (+) to advanced, with the exception of our moderate interval group which is intended for intermediate to advanced skiers. Beginner to intermediate skiers interested in our training groups will get the greatest benefit from building up their ski skills first before joining one of our training groups – with our weekly technique classes being a perfect place to do that!

Prior to registering, please confirm your skill level on our skill level chart for adult programs.

All classes meet at a variety of trailheads around the valley. Trail passes are each skier’s responsibility and can be purchased through Methow Trails.

Access to our adult weekly classes is one of the perks of Methow Valley Nordic membership. Become a member here.

Seeking one-on-one instruction? Contact Methow Valley Ski School or Sun Mountain Activities if you are looking for individual lessons with professional instructors.

WHAT LEVEL SKIER AM I?

Please consult our skill level chart for adult programs to determine your skill level. Being in the correct class is paramount for a positive experience for everyone involved! If things aren’t quite right we will do our best to help you find a better fit.

WEEKLY TECHNIQUE CLASSES

Methow Valley Nordic offers weekly classes for a full range of abilities from beginners to advanced. Class sizes are small – typically four to eight skiers per group – so you get plenty of individual attention from our professional instructors. The classes are also a great way to connect with other skiers in the valley.

Most classes meet once-a-week for eight weeks from January through the first week of March, taking a break for President’s Day week. These classes are split evenly between classic and skate technique, with the actual technique of each class determined weekly based on snow conditions.

In addition, we offer four-week classes that focus on either skate or classic technique. We have two skate-only classes offered in January, and one in February. Our classic-only class begins at the end of January and runs into February.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Most classes start the season meeting in Mazama due to the large trailhead with lots of trail options and extensive gradual terrain. While beginner classes may spend most of the season on the flatter terrain, intermediate classes will often shift to other trailheads like Chickadee to work on hills, up and down.
• Weekly technique classes will not meet over President’s Day Week, February 20-24.
  
• Each section is capped at 16 participants. Additional spots may be added later depending on instructor availability.
  
• Methow Valley Nordic Membership is required to participate in weekly classes. Join here.
  
• Make-up Policy: In case unforeseen factors (like weather!) cause us to cancel a class or training group, we will do our best to schedule a make-up session for class participants. Instructors will try to find a time that works for the most participants, which could include another day of the week, going later in the season or a different time.
• Refund policy: Classes are fully refundable up to one week prior to the start of the class. Cancellations within one week of the start of classes will incur a $20 administrative fee. Refunds after the start of classes will only be provided in rare cases.

Beginner & Advanced Beginner, Skate & Classic, 8 sessions

• • Mondays, Jan 8 – Mar 4, 11:00-12:30
  • Fridays, Jan 12 – Mar 8, 9:00-10:30

Intermediate, Skate & Classic, 8 sessions

• • Tuesdays, Jan 9 – Mar 5, 9:00-10:30
  • Wednesdays, Jan 10 – Mar 6, 11:00-12:30
  • Thursdays, Jan 11 – Mar 7, 9:00-10:30 and 11:00-12:30
  • Fridays, Jan 12 – Mar 8, 11:00-12:30

Advanced, Skate & Classic, 8 sessions

• • Wednesdays, Jan 10 – March 6, 9:00-10:30

Skate-Only, 4 sessions

• • Beginner/Advanced Beginner, Mondays, Jan 8 – Jan 29, 9:00-10:30
  • Intermediate, Tuesdays, Jan 9 – Jan 30, 11:00-12:30
  • Intermediate, Tuesdays Feb 6 – Mar 5, 11:00-12:30

Classic-Only, 4 sessions

• • Mondays, Feb 5 – Mar 4, 9:00-10:30

Cost:

Four-week classes: $110 before Jan 1 (for classes that start the next week), $130 after. Classes starting in February are $110 before Jan 29, $130 after.

Eight-week classes: $195 before Jan 1, $215 after.

Register Here

WEEKLY FITNESS CLASSES FOR NORDIC SKIERS

For the more fitness-minded, Methow Valley Nordic offers several training groups. Most on-snow groups are aimed at intermediate(+) to advanced skiers; our moderate intensity group is open to intermediate to advanced skiers (be sure to check our skill level chart for adult programs to ensure a good match). Dryland groups are based on fitness and movement ability – see each class for specifics. Each group is built around a focus on physical training, but incorporate some technique training and feedback. On-snow groups meet once a week for ten or twelve weeks beginning in early December and wrapping up in February to March depending on breaks around the holidays and coach travel schedules. All groups incorporate both classic and skate skiing in an equal balance over the course of the season.

Important Notes:

• Methow Valley Nordic Membership is required to participate in adult training groups. Join here.
• Make-up Policy: In case unforeseen factors (like weather!) cause us to cancel a class or training group, we will do our best to schedule a make-up session for class participants. Instructors will try to find a time that works for the most participants, which could include another day of the week, going later in the season or a different time.
• Refund policy: Classes are fully refundable up to one week prior to the start of the class. Cancellations within one week of the start of classes will incur a $20 administrative fee. Refunds after the start of classes will only be provided in rare cases.

Winter Training Groups

Advanced Interval Training Group This weekly 2-hour session is built around an ample volume (typically 25 to 40 min) of moderate to high-intensity interval training. Skiers should be fit and skilled skiers (Intermediate(+) to advanced). Tuesdays 9 – 11 AM. Twelve sessions starting Nov.28 and finishing Feb 27. Cost: $270 before Nov 21, $290 after. Group size is capped at 20.

Moderate Interval Training Group For those who believe everything is better in moderation, this weekly 90-minute session will be built around 15 to 20 minutes of moderate to high-intensity interval training. Thursdays 9 – 10:30 AM. Ten sessions starting Dec 7 and finishing on Feb 22. Cost: $215 before Nov 21, $235 after. Groups size is capped at 20.

Specific Strength and Technique Group This group will work on improving their skiing through developing the strength that directly applies to skiing (aka ‘ski-specific). As you can imagine, there’s a lot of technique involved in this sort of work! On-snow activities will include: no-pole skiing, double poling and single sticking – as well as many variations and more creative drills and exercises are part of the mix to help you refine your skiing and build your fitness for our favorite winter activity and life in general! Twelve sessions. Tuesday group is from 9-10:30 AM and runs from Nov. 28 through Feb 27. Wednesday group is from 11 AM – 12:30 PM and runs Dec 6 thru Feb 28. Cost: $270 before Nov 21, $290 after. Group size is capped at 12.

REGISTER HERE FOR ADULT WINTER TRAINING GROUPS

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Fall Interval Training

Ski specific technique and progressive interval training through the fall to help you build the fitness and skills to make this year your best transition to snow yet!

The plan: Each Thursday from September 14 to November 16, 2023 the class will meet at a different location around the upper Methow Valley (generally Winthrop and Mazama) to work on aspects of technique and progressively build the volume of interval training to build fitness for winter. The class will utilize dryland ski imitation as the primary method of training – think of classic skiing uphill without the snow – also called ski-walking, moose-hoofing and bounding. Don’t know how? Don’t worry. We’ll start each session with a progressive warm-up incorporating elements of body weight strength, coordination, and dryland technique to make sure you are building not just your fitness but efficient movement patterns as well. As we build better technique through the season, the interval workouts will progress from 15-20 minutes to up to 40 minutes and make-up a larger portion of our two hour session.

Who’s it for? Adults who have a good base of fitness (consistently active through the summer and ready for two hour sessions which build into periods of fairly intense activity with intermittent periods of recovery). We will incorporate jogging, jumping, skipping, hopping and bounding into training at times, but can accommodate and adapt for individuals who are recovering from injuries which preclude those dynamic movements. In terms of distance covered, sessions in the first few weeks will likely cover ~3 to 5 miles of hilly terrain and build up to ~5 to 7 miles over the course of the fall training period.

Equipment: Besides running shoes and clothing for the conditions, participants should bring ‘dryland poles’ – a pair of ski poles that are around chest height (although sternum to shoulder height poles work in a pinch) with a good tip and a good handle and strap.

Please note the first date of the class is September 14 – the registration will show September 21 which allows us to keep online registration open longer.

Thursdays, 9:00-11:00 AM, September 14-November 16. Register Here for Fall Interval Training

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Fall Ski Preparation

General and specific physical and technical ski training for people of adults of all ages and abilities with an aim to prepare folks for skiing in the winter.

The plan: Each Wednesday from September 27 to November 17, 2023 the class will meet at a different locations on the Methow Trails to work on aspects of technique and fitness build for winter. MVNSEF Biathlon and ski coach Raleigh Goessling (and special guests) will lead these classes. Here’s a sample session:

• 15 minutes jogging or walking with ski poles
• 10 minutes mobility and lower body strength and coordination (squats, banded walks, ability ladder, cones/wickets. These exercises will take place at a speed and range of motion within comfort and ability of the participants.
• 15 minutes core training (planks, leg lifts, half getups, crawling, pelvis tilting, etc
• 10 minutes balance training (towel game, eyes open/closed single leg stands, CL stands, SK stands)
• 15 minutes ski imitation
• 10 mins easy jogging or ski walking with poles

Who’s it for? Adults of any age who want to prepare for the ski season.

Equipment: Besides running shoes and clothing for the conditions, participants should bring ‘dryland poles’ – a pair of ski poles that are around chest height (although sternum to shoulder height poles work in a pinch) with a good tip and a good handle and strap.

Wednesdays, 9:00-10:15 AM, September 27-November 17. Register Here for Fall Ski Preparation

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For our camps, clinics, and classes you will need to have classic and skate skis, boots, and poles (unless you are only doing one technique).

Good equipment makes skiing more fun! For classic skiing, most of our adult participants use skin skis, although some will also use fish scales and others will opt for waxable classic skis depending on their skill level as a skier and comfort with waxing. (As all MVN activities take place on groomed ski trails, metal edge skis are NOT recommended as they are better suited for off-track skiing.)

We recommend consulting with one of the many knowledgeable salespeople at our local ski shops for help finding a good setup for your objectives on the snow. There are numerous places to purchase and rent equipment in the Valley.

In Winthrop:
Winthrop Mountain Sports
Nordic Ultratune
Methow Cycle Sport
Cascades Outdoor Store
Sun Mountain Activities

In Mazama:
Methow Valley Ski School and Rentals

In Twisp:
Loup Loup Ski Rental Shop

Although not held in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, typically there is a Ski and winter gear swap held at the Barn in Winthrop each November which can be a great place to find a good deal on used equipment.

Methow Valley Nordic Ski Library

We know raising kids in the Valley can be an expensive undertaking, and we know how beneficial it can be for families to embrace skiing as a group activity, so in 2019, Methow Valley Nordic began the Ski Library.

The Ski Library offers parents of skiers in our youth programs the opportunity to borrow contemporary ski equipment in good shape to help them enjoy the sport as a family, and/or to participate in one of our many instructional opportunities.

For more details on the Ski Library contact Pete Leonard: pete@mvnsef.org