U.S. Ski Team Seeks Coaches for U18 Scandinavian Trip and 2025 World Junior & U23 Championship Teams

Apply for ANY positions that you are interested in by December 1, 2024. Trip dates: World Junior/U23 Championships: Bergamo-Schilpario, Italy, February 3–9  [pre-camp: tentatively slated for Seefeld, Austria, January 24–31] Staff arrival travel dates vary from Jan 24 to Jan 28. U18 Scando Trip: Gjoevik , Norway February 15–24 The U.S. Ski Team is seeking coaches for our upcoming 2025 U18 Scandinavian Trip and 2025 World Junior & U23 Championship Teams. The teams will be...

Make the Sovereign 2 SilverStar Ski Marathon a Goal Event and Season Finale for 2025

In its first three years, the Sovereign 2 SilverStar (S2S) niche is becoming clear. Participants say it’s an awesome goal event for all types of skiers and a terrific event to conclude and celebrate the ski season. Here’s what else they say about the S2S and what brings them back each year: Awesome late season snow and grooming Extremely friendly and helpful volunteers The focus on Finishing is Winning A very fun and social atmosphere;...

In which countries can you bet on cross-country skiing?

With so many betting platforms now offering markets for hundreds of professional competitions and events, the growth of niche sports and their betting markets has become an intriguing element. We appreciate that the term “niche market” might come as loaded to some, especially if you have a passion for winter sports and cross-country skiing, but this is purely a statement of fact. For instance, my favorite sport is boxing, which is a niche sport, especially...

Julia Kern on Drinking Coffee, Building Community, and Finding the Balance

Just two weeks before leaving for Europe for the 2024/2025 season, U.S. Ski Team member Julia Kern, 27, chatted with FasterSkier to talk about her last few months and winter ahead. The Waltham, Mass. native didn’t skip a beat when asked a barrage of questions, including her favorite food (pizza), go-to coffee order (cappuccino), favorite ski technique (classic), and preference between M&M’s and Skittles. “M&M’s,” she said with a laugh. “Definitely chocolate.” Despite her cheery...

Smooth Transitions: Moving Wisely From Pavement To Snow

Our bodies are very good at adapting to change, as long as it comes slowly enough. That first frosty day in autumn always feels brutally cold. Take the same temperature in March and we’re in shorts and short sleeves. Our response to exercise load is no different. Taken as a slow and progressive build up, our bodies will respond with increased strength and capacity to stay on the right side of the load vs tolerance...

How to Wager on Cross-Country Skiing

Key Betting Options and Strategies Betting on cross-country skiing includes several options, each offering different levels of risk and reward. The most straightforward of these is the “outright winner” bet, where one wagers on a skier or team to take first place in a specific race or event. While this bet offers higher returns, it comes with considerable risk, particularly given the unpredictable nature of the sport and the large number of participants, often nearing...

The Devon Kershaw Show: Burger King and the Thugometer

You know you missed us. Devon and Nat return with a soft launch into the 2025 winter season. We cover off-season developments and other hijinks, from the still-missing Russians to Therese Johaug’s return. Read here and here if you want to understand wth the references are in the show title. We’ll be back soon. Hit us up at nat@fasterskier.com and devon@fasterskier.com; we’re psyched to be back.

Win a ski trip for two to France!

Cross-country ski travel company Lumi Experiences is celebrating its partnership as an official tour operator for the Worldloppet’s series of 20 international ski marathons with a… Trip giveaway for two lucky skiers on the 2025 France – Transju’ trip, a value of over $10,000. Enter the trip giveaway today for your chance to win two spots on the trip, including two entries in the Transju’ ski marathon! To double your chance of winning, follow Lumi...

National Nordic Foundation: Bridging the Funding Gap

There’s a great scene in the 1983 classic movie epic The Right Stuff, where the test pilots are hanging out in their dank watering hole discussing the future of supersonic flight and bemoaning what they see as misplaced priorities. The press liaison throwing back a beer with Chuck Yeager and Jack Ridley seems to innocently ask, “you know what makes your rocket planes fly?” The aeronautical engineer puts down his beer and responds by beginning...

Juggling the Four S’s: An Interview with John Steel Hagenbuch

The 2023-2024 season was undeniably strong for Dartmouth College’s John Steel Hagenbuch (’25, U.S. B-Team). In December, his was the fastest leg time in the Men’s 4×7.5 k Relay in Gällivare. One week later, he secured his first top-15 finish on the World Cup circuit, taking 13th place in the Östersund 10 k Freestyle. In February, he surprised himself with a bronze medal in the U23 World Championship Sprint in Planica. Domestically, the wins came...

Loppet Foundation Announces New Director

The Minneapolis Loppet Foundation announced today, November 8th, that it has hired a new Director. Meghan Cosgrove will take the reins of the organization beginning November 18th. She takes over from Claire Wilson who resigned from the Director’s position in September for family reasons. Wilson had been at the helm of the Loppet Foundation for four years. Cosgrove’s most recent leadership post was as Executive Director at YMCA of the North for Camp Menogyn, where...

Making the Grade: A, B, and D Teams. What’s the Difference?

Every fall the U.S. cross-country ski team announces its new roster. But there are teams within the team which makes it a little complicated to figure out exactly who belongs where. With designations of A, B, and D teams. The method for how members are selected to these teams is well documented, and it’s all contained in a public document on the U.S. team’s website. But as you’ll see, that process is going to change...

2025 World Championships in Trondheim, Norway

  This February and March, the attention of Nordic ski world will be on the 2025 World Championships in Trondheim, Norway! The World Championships only happen every two years and, besides the Olympics, it’s the most prestigious event for World Cup skiers. And did I mention it’s in Norway? Lumi Experiences has lodging and grandstand tickets reserved for this unique Nordic event. The trip deadline is approaching fast: receive a $300 / person booking discount...

2024 West Yellowstone Ski Festival & Clinics

Hello XC Skiers! Join us for the 2024 West Yellowstone Ski Festival and Clinics. Fall season is around the corner which means the West Yellowstone Ski Festival and Clinics will be here before you know it. This year’s festival takes place November 26th – November 30th, 2024 with clinics starting on Tuesday November 26th. Check out schedule details here. West Yellowstone Ski Festival and Clinics are excited and proud to announce that Todd Eastman had joined Jack...

Four of My Favorite Quick and Nutritious Meals 

  Grain bowl Green Curry Flatbread with chickpea tomato pistachio – NYT  Stir fry    Food can be fun, tasty, nutritious and easy to make! I love to cook elaborate meals when I have time, but often the simple and quick recipes end up being my favorite. Whether it is a recovery day or a 5 hour training day, eating a well-balanced meal is important for staying strong, healthy, and happy! When I can, I...

Laukli’s Summer of Ups and Downs Ends With a Surprise. Part II

In Part I of our interview with Sophia Laukli, FasterSkier caught up with her before she had returned to the Golden Trail Series Tour, and discussed the ups and downs of the difficult summer she had. We’ll continue our discussion with Laukli about the upcoming race season but first, we need to bring readers up to date with how she fared in the Golden Trail Series finals, and how she is feeling after her summer...

Laukli’s Summer of Ups and Downs Ends With a Surprise. Part I

Last year was a breakout season for Sophia Laukli. She reached the top of the podium in a World Cup race and had a solid skiing season. In her non-skiing job, she also won the Golden Trail Series championship, being crowned the best international trail runner, all while making it look fairly easy. She dominated the race circuit and gave the best professional trail runners fits as she casually strolled to the race starts fresh...

How Can You Showcase the Power and Emotion of Adaptive Skiing Through Photography?

Adaptive skiing empowers athletes with disabilities to conquer the slopes using specialized equipment and techniques. To truly capture its essence, it’s important to understand the sport’s nuances, unique gear, and emotional depth. By concentrating on capturing dynamic shots and telling compelling stories, photographers can effectively bring these athletes’ inspiring journeys to life through imagery. Highlighting Adaptive Skiing Techniques in Photography First and foremost, understanding the specific techniques adaptive skiers use, such as sit-skiing or mono-skiing,...

5 Activation Exercises To Get You Ready for Any Workout 

  From a young age, my track coach insisted that we did a thorough dynamic warm-up before starting any training session to activate the right muscles and avoid injury. I have my track coach to thank for teaching me this at a young age. Especially as I get older, my daily activation exercises are crucial in keeping injuries at bay and getting my body warmed up before the “warm up”. For me, the challenge is...

The Nordic World Ski Championships: What to Expect

Winter sports enthusiasts are gearing up for one of the most anticipated events of 2025: the Nordic World Ski Championships, held from February 26 to March 9 in Trondheim, Norway. This year’s edition isn’t just about athletic excellence—it’s a celebration of progress. For the first time, the championships will offer equal prize money for both men and women, a bold step forward in gender equality that has resonated throughout the skiing community. Athletes are not...