Wednesday Workout: A Day of Altitude at Mount Engadine Lodge

The following Wednesday Workout comes to you from Canadian World Cup Team member, Perianne Jones, who’s been training at home in and around Canmore, Alberta, while preparing for her first international races of the season in Asiago, Italy, Dec. 21-22. Jones recently discovered she has a genetic condition called hemochromatosis, which causes an iron overload in the body. She’s been learning to manage it in the meantime and getting back up to speed before her first World Cups.

If you’re lucky enough to find a place like Mount Engadine Lodge, 1,825 metres (nearly 6,000 feet) above sea level, or able to jet out there, here’s what she recommends:

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“There are no distractions, no cell service, no town to run errands in, and the best sleeping conditions in the world. I can’t get enough of it.” — Perianne Jones

“I’ve been spending three nights a week up in Kananaskis Country above Canmore for the last few weeks, and will continue to until I leave for Europe to join the rest of the team on the World Cup in Asiago.

Mount Engadine is an incredible spot that just so happens to be at the right elevation to do a few days of altitude training. I’ve been doing intensity down in Canmore, and then heading up to the lodge for three nights at a time, and a couple of days of easy skiing. The quality of everything is just so much better up there that it makes sense. Skiing is great, resting is great because there are no distractions, no cell service, no town to run errands in, and the best sleeping conditions in the world. I can’t get enough of it. If I didn’t have to do intensity down in Canmore, I’d stay up there all the time! Here’s why…

A day of training (sandwiched between two nights of the best sleep you will ever have) at Mt. Engadine Lodge:

• Wake up at your leisure and enjoy a healthy but delicious breakfast prepared for you by the lodge staff while you set out planning what is about to become one of your best days of ski training ever. If you are me you try your hardest to finish the puzzle you’ve been working on for the last 3 days. I’m a terrible puzzler…

• Fill your water bottles- (yes plural) stay hydrated, grab some snacks, and head to Pocaterra in Kananaskis Country. A short 20 minute drive away is my all time favourite place to classic ski. You can go for as long or short as you like.

• Observe the moose as she lovingly cleans off your car with her tongue. I usually  take this time to wax my skis inside the lodge behind the window to keep an eye on her progress.
• I like to go for a couple of hours of easy distance, keeping in mind when at altitude it is a good idea to stay well hydrated, and try not to speed along the trails too fast. Enjoy the scenery! Finding a good friend to share this ski with is ideal, and even better if she’s a massage therapist…
• Back to the Lodge for Lunch, some soup and fresh bread, then this is where the friend who came skiing with you comes in: massage time!

• Follow that massage up with the best nap you’ve ever had and wake up just in time for afternoon tea.
• Those of you who have experienced Engadine Tea know what I’m talking about. This is no regular tea. It’s tea, with cheese, and crackers, and baked goods as far as the eye can see. The perfect snack/meal to get you ready for the afternoon workout.
• Go for a sunset ski at Mt. Shark. It may be hard to focus on skiing when all you want to do is take photos. Bringing a friend (human or canine, Mt Shark is dog friendly) is always a nice way to enjoy these trails, just make sure you make it back to the car before dark!

• Warm up in the Sauna when you get back to the lodge, hop in the snow a few times to cool down and really get the blood moving.
• Dinner at Engadine is different every night, but always delicious, and a great way to refuel after an awesome day of skiing.

I sleep better at Engadine than any other place on earth. Training is easy when recovery is so good. Go check it out, stay a few nights, or just stop in for tea the lodge staff will be happy to see you and fill you up with warm beverages and tasty treats. There’s a reason we did our Olympic and World Championship pre-camps there in 2010 and 2011!

Happy Trails!”