New Snow in Chamonix

From November 1st big snow!

From November 1st big snow!

Ski Mountaineering Videos

http://www.mountainskitour.com/medias.html

Save the date! - Holiday Hill Climb

Sugarloaf/USA will host first ever Holiday Hill Climb December 27th.

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells....Start ringing your cow bells. The sport of randonee racing is growing with lighting speed in the US. My first experience to rando racing was a night race in the Swiss Alps. Cow bells ringing, headlamps lighting the way, great energy and enthusiasm and finishing with hot mulled wine and swiss fondue. Can you think of a better way to spend your friday evening after working a long week in the office. I wanted to bring this alpine experience to Sugarloaf this holiday season and help the sport continue to grow in the States. The best part about these night races are they are open to all levels- beginners to experts. Just a way to get out and have some fun and get fit, work off some of the holiday meals and even win some great gear.

We have partnered with Petzl to help light the way with headlamps, Smartwool to keep us warm and dry and countless other prizes will also be there such as Marker/Vokl, Isis for women , Kiss My Face, Sport Legs and many more local and national businesses offering their support.

In the morning I will host a randonee clinic with Pete Swenson, coach of the United States Ski Mountaineering Coach to introduce the sport to those unfamiliar and to help refine transitions and techniques for skinning. We will touch on the topics of training and what gear to have as well. There will be demo gear available for those interested. (supplies limited) We will also feature Pierre Gignoux's ultra light carbon rando race boot. http://www.pierregignoux.fr/

The race starts at 4:30. Bring your friends and family- and the cow bells for cheering. The trail will be lit up to Bullwinkles restaurant and spectators are most welcome. There will be two catagories- Rando catagory (includes tele) and Other (snowshoes, skate, classic) Last year the Nordic world cup Tour de Ski had a large uphill climb for one of the races- so Nordis come give it a try! It will be at least a good intensity workout followed by a good carbo load.

In the evening we will have a pasta dinner included in entry, followed by awards and a slide show given by Michael and me on randonee skiing and racing in the Alps and to top it off a raffle with great prizes for all. I hope you can make it! It should be a lot of fun and just the beginning of Maine's Rando Series.

For more information and to preregister to get a break on the cost and to guarantee your race souvenir go to :

http://www.sugarloaf.com/Events/Calendar/Holiday_Hill_Climb.html

For more press on the Holiday Hill Climb go to the following links:

http://skiing.about.com/

http://news.alpinezone.com/41535/

http://www.ussma.org/

If you want to see some great footage of night rando races check out the Somfy Series- some great videos of racing here in the Alps- This will get you motivated to sign up!

http://www.mountainskitour.com/medias.html

Happy Holidays and I hope to see you on the 27th at the Loaf! (don't forget your headlamp!) we will have some to demo just in case!

Dry land training and First on snow sessions

When a Christmas Cactus blooms lots of blooms it usually means a good snow year...and love is alive. This Christmas catus is 7 years old. We moved to Chamonix 7 years ago and I put on my first pair of rando skis 7 years ago. Little did I know back then, that I would be rando racing 7 years later with 2 young children and loving the sport! 7 Years ago, Michael gave me my first rando skis and this Christmas Cactus for my birthday and 7 years later...it is still going strong.

Dryland training has been spent in the gym developing core strength and balance, in the pool for some cross training, rollar skiing and ski hiking to simulate the sport of rando skiing.

The first session on snow was a distance workout in Cervinia climbing up to 3400 meters -followed by a welcoming smile of our friends at the Guides Hut and a great plate of pasta-al dente! The ski down was even better. The conditions were mid winter and excellent.

Nordic tracks have been set in Arpi, Italy. Michael, Birken and I decided to join the French and Italian national ski teams and do a bit of track skiing and find some good snow. Arpi is an amazing old mining village set at the top of multiple switch backs. A hidden gem for early snow.

Nina Silitch-Article in Local French Paper- Dauphine Libere

Video Link to TSF Millet 2008

http://www.tvmillet.com/2008/02/tsf-millet-2008-par-jacques-cordola.html

Support Nina in her 2009 World Cup Season

Nina has been selected for the US ski mountaineering team and will be competing in World Cup races this winter in Europe. She continues to help inspire women to enjoy the outdoors through her own outdoors and adventurous pursuits as a woman and a mother. Also through her sports she is promates health, fitness and philanthropy. With the help of many supporters, she recently raised over $2,000 for the American Cancer Society in an effort to find a cure while she ran the Mont Blanc Ultra Trail. Nina is looking for sponsors to help her cover the costs of race entries, travel fees, and equipment. If you are interested in a formal sponsorship where I can represent your product or company please contact me at ninasilitch@gmail.com. If you would like to support me for the 2009 season please contact me at ninasiltch@gmail.com or use the link below.

Autumn Adventures