For the past 6 years I have migrated North for a week when
many others go East. Most nordic racers have heard of skiing
on glaciers during the summer in Ramsau, Val Senales, Sognefjell
and Stryn. But, with the help of Todd Johnson, I have found
a unique place to ski during the summer almost in our backyard.
The Haig Glacier, located outside of Canmore, British Columbia,
Canada, was created by the Calgary Olympic Development Program
(CODA) after the 1988 Olympic Games.
The first day of the camp has remained unchanged over the
years. It is the 20 Kilometer hike to the Haig Glacier that
is located deep inside the Peter Lockhead Provincial Park.
It is no easy walk for the boys and girls coming from the
relative flats of Minnesota.
For some it is their first true mountain hike. What gets them
every time is the altitude, but over the trips Todd has taught
us about training at altitude and the importance of going
slow. This gives you a chance to check out the breath taking
scenery. During the three-hour hike you see mountain lakes,
rivers, peaks and grizzly bears. Nothing prepares you for
the moment when you get to the camp. It is like no other place
I have been on earth. It seems as if you have landed on the
moon. On a small plateau of glacial moraines below the Haig
Glacier there are few signs of life except the three silver
Quonset huts that will become your home for the next week.
It is an all-inclusive 5 star resort in the middle of nowhere.
One hut is the bunk house, one is the kitchen and living area
and one is the stretching area and camp leaders home. Over
the years the amenities have grown immensely. The camp as
of this past summer had refrigerators, running water, running
HOT water, a newly remodeled shower, TV/VCR and a BBQ grill
to name a few. The best part is all your equipment is flown
into the camp by helicopter.
The second day is just as interesting as the first. The
day starts early, with a wonderful breakfast provided by the
coaches. It is their job to cook breakfast, while the rest
of the days chores are split up among the athletes. This is
a growing experience for many of the young ones. It is the
first time in their lives that they must help cook food: actually
cut, measure and follow recepies. A bit more challenging than
putting Totino's Party Pizza in the oven and calling it a
meal! After breakfast, the hike to the glacier begins. It
takes nearly an hour, with a 1000 feet elevation gain, to
get to the skiing area on the glacier.
It is usually a slow trot following the side of the glacial
valley to the Haig. The glacier is surrounded by three majestic
peaks, the tallest being Mount Sir Douglas. After you stop
admiring the views you see the Piston Bully making its way
around a 5 Kilometer course. It is setting a classic and skate
track in one corner of the large snow field for you to ski
on.
The skiing is out of this world. The tracks, rock hard as
long as temperatures dipped below freezing the night before,
soon soften as the sun makes its way over the peaks hitting
the trail. The skiing is great for 3 hours, then the sun usually
has taken its toll on the snow, but the warm temperatures
can leave you skiing in shorts and a tee-shirt. It's not too
bad! Once you finish skiing you get to take the pleasurable
walk down the mountain. It is a Saukko tradition to take the
snow fields down. Here a right of passage takes place for
all Saukko skiers and where the club got its name (Saukko
is Finnish for otter). The snowfields below the Haig are where
the famous otter slide takes place. You run down the snowfield
and then launch onto you stomach putting your hands by your
sides and gliding down the mountain. Once completed, you are
truly an otter and have the right to wear the otter on your
right leg of your ski suit.
After the hike down, it is time for lunch and then it is
off to sleep. The nap could be my favorite part of ski camps.
Followed by a close second is all-you-can eat food; especially,
the Fudgeo cookies that you cannot get down here in the States.
The afternoon workout is the next part of the day. This could
be anything from a hike around the Haig, a run to Maude Pass,
strength, a little swim in the glacier fed pool and stretching.
Then it is another feast called dinner. The evenings are left
up to the athletes and activities include movies, card games,
reading or just looking at the scenery around the huts. That
is a small glimpse of a day in the life of a Saukko skier
at the Haig Glacier.
Over the years I have grown from the youngest at the glacier
to the oldest. My first year at the Haig I was in high school,
I was there all through my college career and again this past
summer as I pursue more dreams in skiing.
I think that Todd Johnson has done wonderful things with his
program. One of the biggest is the Haig Glacier. It allows
young skiers to see what it takes to make it big in skiing.
For many, the Haig Glacier provides one of the longest training
weeks of their lives; it is also a growing experience. It
takes me back to a time when skiing was just fun. It always
reminds me to keep balance in my skiing. To get to the top
you have to enjoy it. What better way of enjoying yourself
is there than hanging out with sophomores in high school for
seven straight days? I also enjoy answering any questions
that the younger kids have about skiing and life. For some
reason it seems that many kids are sick of skiing after high
school, more are burnt out after college, which is when you
mature as a skier. I hope that the younger Saukko skiers see
that it is possible to make it in skiing. Cross-country skiing
is about pursuing dreams. We are not in it for the money or
the fame, but rather the feeling of accomplishment. The Haig
Glacier is a small step for a young skier in pursuing skiing
to the highest level. It is all about the migration north
to the top.
Eric Meyer graduated last year from the University
of Colorado, Boulder, where he was he was ranked number
5 in his class and skied for their varsity team for four
years. He is currently training full time and pursuing
his goals and dreams and will be racing in Fairbanks,
Alaska next weekend along with the rest of the NorAms.
Note: A special thanks to Todd Johnson (TJ) and
the Saukko training group for access to their video
tape and a peak into some of their personal experiences
at the Haig training camp.
-- Ed.
For some it is their first true mountain hike. What gets them
every time is the altitude, but over the trips Todd has taught
us about training at altitude and the importance of going
slow. This gives you a chance to check out the breath taking
scenery. During the three-hour hike you see mountain lakes,
rivers, peaks and grizzly bears. Nothing prepares you for
the moment when you get to the camp. It is like no other place
I have been on earth. It seems as if you have landed on the
moon. On a small plateau of glacial moraines below the Haig
Glacier there are few signs of life except the three silver
Quonset huts that will become your home for the next week.
It is an all-inclusive 5 star resort in the middle of nowhere.
One hut is the bunk house, one is the kitchen and living area
and one is the stretching area and camp leaders home. Over
the years the amenities have grown immensely. The camp as
of this past summer had refrigerators, running water, running
HOT water, a newly remodeled shower, TV/VCR and a BBQ grill
to name a few. The best part is all your equipment is flown
into the camp by helicopter.
It is usually a slow trot following the side of the glacial
valley to the Haig. The glacier is surrounded by three majestic
peaks, the tallest being Mount Sir Douglas. After you stop
admiring the views you see the Piston Bully making its way
around a 5 Kilometer course. It is setting a classic and skate
track in one corner of the large snow field for you to ski
on.
I think that Todd Johnson has done wonderful things with his
program. One of the biggest is the Haig Glacier. It allows
young skiers to see what it takes to make it big in skiing.
For many, the Haig Glacier provides one of the longest training
weeks of their lives; it is also a growing experience. It
takes me back to a time when skiing was just fun. It always
reminds me to keep balance in my skiing. To get to the top
you have to enjoy it. What better way of enjoying yourself
is there than hanging out with sophomores in high school for
seven straight days? I also enjoy answering any questions
that the younger kids have about skiing and life. For some
reason it seems that many kids are sick of skiing after high
school, more are burnt out after college, which is when you
mature as a skier. I hope that the younger Saukko skiers see
that it is possible to make it in skiing. Cross-country skiing
is about pursuing dreams. We are not in it for the money or
the fame, but rather the feeling of accomplishment. The Haig
Glacier is a small step for a young skier in pursuing skiing
to the highest level. It is all about the migration north
to the top.
Haig Glacier 2001 (61 images)
Highlights, 9.6MB