 in which we can participate, and we have been invited to visit and train with a ski gymnasium in Norway (Meraaker near Trondheim), and another (Jaerpen) in Sweden. After the race week is a classic Scandinavian hut-to-hut tour, or several long day tours based in a mountain hostel. We will minimize long vehicle travel while we are there. The trip won’t be a tour of the country, but an in-depth experience of the ski-culture and a good a look at a small piece of the geography. Bus and train rides will be kept under 3 hours, and not too frequent. We’re there to ski. Already a lot of the personal contacts we’ve made over the past few years summer trips are coming forward in a way that guarantees a closer, more intimate look at that world. </p>
<p>We land in Trondheim, on the coast of Norway and take the “Nabotagetâ€, the “Neighbor Train†inland toward Sweden. We spend a couple of days at the ski gymnasium in the Norwegian town of Meraker, get a close look at the school and shake out the travel cobwebs on its tracks. Meraker is the alma mater of Frode Estil, and Tor Arne Hetland, and the current school of the junior world champ, Petter Northug. Devon Spika, an alum of the summer trip run by NYSEF Coach Pete Phillips, Burke’s Matt Whitcomb, and Sun Valley’s Abi Holt is attending Meraaker and plans to be our guide while we’re there. We hop back on the train and continue to Ostersund in central Sweden. By Bus or rented van we travel to Funaesdalen, a beautiful little resort town at the intersection of three valleys and close to the border with Norway. The first races, a sprint and a 22 K free that finish Sweden’s Junior Cup Series take place on the 7 and 8th. On the 9th is an end-of-season fling called the Knallkrossen. It is a ski-cross race that covers every class and brings racers from all over Norway and Sweden. This is an important race series in Sweden combined with the fun of the Season’s end. After the races the focus changes to mountain touring. This is a special area of Scandinavia and a little luck with the weather opens literally hundreds of K’s of groomed trails across mountain plateaus. We may travel hut-to-hut or we may base out of one central headquarter. Those details are still forming. The last part of the trip is another taste of ski gym life with a visit to the school in Jaerpen, Sweden. New England skier Tim Reynolds (GMVS, now Middlebury) spent last year there, and Rocky Mountain athlete Brandon Cooper, who heads for Bates next year, is there now. There are some exciting extras in the works we don’t have room for here.</p>
<p>A good faith estimate of total cost is $2750 from Newark and return. Price is subject to change according to exchange rates and airfare fluctuation. Space is limited to 12 athletes and application is necessary. For interested parties with air miles or other connections a ground cost only price can be arranged, provided train times and schedules can coincide. </p>
<p>To apply or for more information please call or e-mail Pete Phillips at:<br />
<a href=mailto:gamlefisken@yahoo.com)
gamlefisken@yahoo.com orpetep@nysef.org
518 524 4127 (C)
518 523 3098 (O) leave message
gamlefisken@yahoo.com orpetep@nysef.org
518 524 4127 (C)
518 523 3098 (O) leave message
NYSEF Offers Spring Trip To Sweden & Norway
FasterSkierFebruary 3, 2006gamlefisken@yahoo.com orpetep@nysef.org
518 524 4127 (C)
518 523 3098 (O) leave message
