REGISTRATION IS OPEN > CLICK HERE
This year Griggs Orthopedics-GO Performance is excited to partner with the COSMIC Series to put on the annual GO Skimo Academy at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. This camp is open to ALL abilities and will feature skimo lessons (both uphill, downhill & transitions), tips on nutrition and performance, ski-specific workout lessons, product demos, injury prevention tips, ski mountaineering specific training guidance, coaching with Grand Traverse winners, and lots more.
This 3-day training camp will include instruction from elite Grand Traverse winners, US National Skimo Team Members, in addition to industry-leading Ambassadors & Griggs Orthopedics-gO Athletes. Each day will provide a variety of skills and techniques, including – race training programs, nutrition and injury prevention education, and an introduction to the newest, cutting edge gear in ski mountaineering. Add that to a weekend of touring in the breathtaking surroundings of the Elk Mountains and you’ve got a recipe for kicking off an incredible winter of fitness and fun!
This camp is open to ALL levels of participants, not just hardcore ski mountaineering race entrants. Participants will be introduced to techniques that make uphill skiing more enjoyable and efficient – kick turns, boot packs, and transition tricks. A portion of the camp will focus on downhill ski technique on lift accessed terrain, and another portion will be devoted to acquiring efficient skating ability on skimo gear. Forums will cover race day strategies on nutrition and hydration, partner dynamics, technical gear use, and avalanche awareness.
While parts of this camp will focus on race fitness and skillsets specific to the ski mountaineering racing, we welcome all abilities to participate in this experience! By offering instruction in both skimo fundamentals and race coaching, our goal is to nurture a passion for this sport, while providing an accelerated pathway to athletes seeking a competitive advantage.
SCHEDULE (tentative, subject to change)
Thursday – January 18
Early Bird Registration – 4:30pm-6:30pm
Annex Room, Lodge at Mountaineer Square, Base Area, Mt Crested Butte
Participants arriving to Crested Butte will be greeted with registration and a welcome happy hour.
Friday – January 19
Registration – 7:30am – 9:00am
Annex Room, Lodge at Mountaineer Square, Base Area, Mt Crested Butte
We’ll kick off early at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, jumping right into gear fit, strength and movement testing, skiing uphill, skin technique, kick turns, and boot packs. Groups will be broken up according to skill level and coaches will tailor programs to fit participants needs and wants.
We will break for lunch which will include a nutrition forum, from Aclimate creator, Roanne Houck, covering general nutrition tips and training diets, in addition to nutrition and hydration specific to race day. After lunch, we will continue with skills with an optional strength conditioning power hour with one of our local ripped strength trainers. Happy Hour will commence at 4:00 pm with Upslope supplying us with the latest Boulder brews, while a Grand Traverse gear table will be set up, coaches will be available to show you a video analysis of your day, Meggan Oliver from Adventure Physical Therapy will be holding 15-min “blitz” sessions and more.
Saturday – January 20
We’ll again convene at CBMR where we’ll break into groups: one taking the bus down to the Crested Butte Nordic Center to work on glide technique while the other group we’ll get on lifts to work on downhill technique. Lunch will include a talk from Rhett Griggs, MD on injury prevention. After lunch, the option is yours-nordic lessons or some more downhill skiing! This camp is for you! The evening will include happy hour beverages from Upslope Brewery, with waxing demonstrations, Grand Traverse gear suggestions, Physical Therapy “Blitz” sessions with local athlete/physical therapist Megan Oliver and some friendly competitions.
Sunday – January 21
This will be our “backcountry experience” day. Participants will be broken into groups according to their desired experience. There will be be an option to tour out to the Friends Hut on the Grand Traverse race route. If you are signed up for the GT, this is a great opportunity to pre-ski part of the course while picking the brains of the pros! Another group will head to the Snodgrass trailhead, a popular winter touring area that has the feel of the backcountry, with great views and terrain, but offers a less strenuous tour. An uphill ski resort option will also be offered, if a backcountry experience is not desired.
Sunday will offer a chance to fully engage your new skills! Coaches will tie together the weekends lessons, offering up final tips in the field.
Lodging Discounts
Stay at the Grand Lodge for $103 per night in a Two King Emmons Studio or a King Suite or save 25% off all other CBMR managed lodging.
Call Crested Butte Vacations at (855) 318-4633 to book exclusive discounts on the following accommodations or click here to book!
The Grand Lodge
Every room is surprisingly large and includes comforts and conveniences to make your stay ideal, any time of the year. The Grand Lodge welcomes well-behaved dogs of all shapes and sizes. Pet friendly rooms are limited, so please reserve in advance. A nightly $30 fee for each pet will be charged to your room, and a portion of this fee will be donated to P.A.W.S., a local animal rescue service.
The Lodge at Mountaineer Square
Crested Butte’s Signature Mountain Lodge Property. Located in the heart of the Crested Butte Mountain Resort base area – just steps from the ski lifts, hiking and biking as well as shopping, ski area services and restaurants – Mountaineer Square is an excellent “base camp” for your winter ski vacation or summer mountain getaway. The Lodge at Mountaineer square features luxurious accommodations and impeccable guest service, and the Mountaineer Conference Center is suitable for events for up to 500 guests.Enjoy on-site shopping, dining and entertainment year-round. The Lodge at Mountaineer Square offers specials and packages that make your Crested Butte experience even more memorable.
The Plaza
Groups and families love the Plaza for its convenient location just 100 yards from the ski area’s main lift, the Silver Queen. In one short walk, guests can hit the slope or take in the action at the base area of Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Kids love the Adventure Center (mini-golf or rock climbing, anyone?), and parents love the shops and base area restaurants (hello, happy hour!). The Plaza is also unique for its condominium setting with hotel style services. Spacious two- and three- bedroom suites include everything you need to be independent, while on-site check-in, a restaurant and bar, daily housekeeping services, covered parking and two hot tubs provide all the benefits of a hotel.