The SMST2 team arrived in Canmore, Canada to get on snow for the first time this season. The town of Canmore is a 30 minute drive from Banff National Park and is located in a valley between some of the coolest mountains on Earth.
![](http://ericpacker.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/canmore-16-of-16.jpg" "Canmore (16 of 16)")
Mountains above Canmore, from the hotel room.
We’ve spent the past few days skiing on the “Frozen Thunder.” The Frozen Thunder is a 2k loop at the Canmore Nordic Center made from snow saved from last season to provide an early-season training venue. Several inches of natural snow have fallen on top of the man-made loop, making for great skiing. There are tons of skiers here from around North America, including most of the top World Cup skiers from the US and Canada.
![](http://ericpacker.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/canmore-10-of-16.jpg" "Canmore (10 of 16)")
Kris Freeman (USST/MWS) skiing the Frozen Thunder.
We’ve been logging the hours to take advantage of the snow. Here’s a look at the training from the past few and next few days.
Friday: AM: Classic Distance (2 hr) PM: run + max strength (2 hr)
Saturday: AM: Skate Distance (2.5 hr) PM: Classic Double Pole + Run (1.5 hr)
Sunday (Recovery Day) AM: Classic Ski (1.5 hr) PM: Stretch
Monday: AM: Classic ski w/ 10km Race (2.25 hr) PM: run + max strength (2 hr)
Tuesday (planned): AM: OD (Over Distance) Ski (3 hr) PM: OFF
![](http://ericpacker.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/canmore-4-of-16.jpg" "Canmore (4 of 16)")
The Frozen Thunder Loop – lots of skiers are out here taking advantage!
On Sunday, I had a recovery day and a short ski. I had the chance to pull out my camera and take some shots.
Scroll down…
![](http://ericpacker.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/rossignol-1-of-1-2.jpg" "Rossignol (1 of 1)-2")
Sophie Caldwell (SMST2) enjoying some early season skiing.
![](http://ericpacker.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/canmore-6-of-16.jpg" "Canmore (6 of 16)")
SMST2 Teammates Erika Flowers and Annie Hart, all smiles.
![](http://ericpacker.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/canmore-7-of-161.jpg" "Canmore (7 of 16)")
Andy Newell (USST, SMST2)
![](http://ericpacker.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/canmore-8-of-16.jpg" "Canmore (8 of 16)")
The Biathlon venue – up and running.
![](http://ericpacker.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/canmore-11-of-16.jpg" "Canmore (11 of 16)")
Sophie Caldwell (SMST2) showing some good double pole form.
![](http://ericpacker.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/canmore-13-of-16.jpg" "Canmore (13 of 16)")
SMST2 teammates Annie Hart, Jessie Diggins, and Sophie Caldwell.
Today we had a 10km Classic TT with the USST and CXC. I felt like I put in a solid effort. My fitness is just starting to sharpen, and hopefully will continue to improve through the end of the season. I don’t have any pictures, but hopefully I’ll be able to post some video from the race soon. Results here: http://racesplitter.com/results/133D150D-78FB-43C2-AEFB-B3A8514D3904
![](http://ericpacker.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/canmore-14-of-161.jpg" "Canmore (14 of 16)")
Till next time. Thanks for reading!
