This is a listing of the programs offered by XC Chelsea Masters. (For purchases, go to the XCCM Shop )
TUESDAY DRYLAND – Sep 6 to Dec 24
6:30 – 8:00 pm at Mooney’s Bay and Evolve Strength and Conditioning, Ottawa.
$200 for 15 weeks
The training goals will be endurance, short aerobic vertical intervals, strength, power, speed, and flexibility. We will combine dynamic warm-up activities, ski walking, ski bounding, some running, general strength exercises, agility exercises, and speed work. You will need ski walking/bounding poles (i.e. slightly shorter than classic XC ski poles), an exercise/yoga mat, a water belt, a headlamp, and dry clothes to change into afterward. Dress for running. The last four practices will be with Mike Patone at Evolve Strength and Conditioning on Sommerset St. W, Ottawa.
Thursday Strength Training
Sep 18 to Dec 11, 2025 (13 weeks)
6 pm to 7:15 pm at Evolve S&C, Ottawa.
Cost: $375
Live, in-person strength training. Under the supervision of Mike Patone, strength coach and owner of Evolve Strength and Conditioning, you will follow a phased, structured strength training program designed to improve your joint mobility, flexibility, and build strength. The practice will involve dynamic activation exercises starting at 6:00, strength circuits, and recovery rolling. During the practice, you will receive instruction and individual supervision. The training goals will be to build joint strength, specific ski strength, and avoid injury. Bring your water bottle, snacks, dry clothes for after, your towel, and dress for weight training.
- Start: September 18
- End: December 11 (13 weeks)
- Time: 6:15 pm
- Participants: Max 12
- Price: $375 Register directly through the Evolve website
SATURDAY DRYLAND (INCLUDING A LOW-IMPACT GROUP) – SEP 6 TO DEC 13, 2025
8:30 am – 11:30 am, in Gatineau Park (Except Oct 4th at Lac-Ste-Marie)
$220 for 15 weeks
The training goals will be endurance, anaerobic/aerobic intervals, strength, and flexibility. There will be groups of different fitness levels, with one low-impact group. Members enjoying their maturing or repairing “frames” can choose to join this adaptive group and walk/jog to lessen the impact. We will combine dynamic warm-up activities, intervals or intensity using various activities such as ski walking, ski bounding, running, a cool-down, and strength exercises. You will need ski walking/bounding poles (slightly shorter than classic XC ski poles), an exercise/yoga mat, a water belt, snacks, and dry clothes to change into. Dress for running. We often go for coffee and food in Old Chelsea after practice.
Format:
- Dynamic warm-up
- Strength
- Easy distance & intervals
- Cool down
- Stretching
ROLLERSKI CLINIC 1 – SEP 21, 2025
The details:
- Date: Sunday, September 21 (beginner)
- Time: 8:30 to 10:30 am
- Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Minimum 4, maximum 8
- Cost $30 each
Brush up on your skiing skills in the Fall, get on roller skis! Whether this would be your first time, or you want to relearn those skills, or you need to ease back into rollerskiing, this clinic series is for you. This will get you prepped for Fall Camp rollerskiing! And anybody signed up for the winter camp would really benefit from roller skiing to ease the transition into early snow skiing.
New this year, each clinic will offer the choice of either skate or classic. Roller Ski Clinic 1 (this one) will be an introduction to basic rollerski techniques, getting steady balance and starting to feel comfortable on rollerskis. Roller Ski Clinic 2 (separate purchase), a week later, will focus on improving key skills, e.g., double poling, one skate and offset: a good opportunity for intermediate skiers to join and refresh their skills.
Equipment: Helmet is mandatory. Rollerskis (your own or club’s), ski boots, ski poles (or roller ski poles if you have them). Note that the club has a limited number of roller skis to lend. These can be booked at the time of signup. Just indicate the binding type for your boots (Salomon/NNN).
XCCM Rollerski Inventory:
- NNN skate 2 pr
- NNN classic 1 pr
- Solomon skate 2 pr
- Solomon classic 2 pr
ROLLERSKI CLINIC 2 – SEP 28, 2025
The details:
- Date: Sunday, September 28 (refresher).
- Time: 8:30 to 10:30 am
- Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Minimum 4, maximum 8
- Cost $30 each
Brush up on your skiing skills in the Fall, get on roller skis! Whether this would be your first time, or you want to relearn those skills, or you need to ease back into rollerskiing, this clinic series is for you. This will get you prepped for Fall Camp rollerksiiing! And anybody signed up for the winter camp would really benefit from roller skiing to ease the transition into early snow skiing.
New this year, each clinic will offer the choice of either skate or classic. Roller Ski Clinic 1 (separate purchase) will be an introduction to basic rollerski techniques, getting steady balance and starting to feel comfortable on rollerskis. Roller Ski Clinic 2 (this one), a week later, will focus on improving key skills, e.g., double poling, one skate and offset: a good opportunity for intermediate skiers to join and refresh their skills.
Equipment: Helmet is mandatory. Rollerskis (your own or club’s), ski boots, ski poles (or roller ski poles if you have them). Note that the club has a limited number of roller skis to lend. These can be booked at the time of signup. Just indicate the binding type for your boots (Salomon/NNN).
XCCM Rollerski Inventory:
- NNN skate 2 pr
- NNN classic 1 pr
- Solomon skate 2 pr
- Solomon classic 2 pr
FALL CAMP AT LAC-STE-MARIE Oct 4 to 5, 2025
Lac-Sainte-Marie, QC.
No fee (for coached activities)
A great way to spend quality time with friends and boost your physical, technical and mental drive. This year’s camp will be held in Canada, and locally to make it easy for members to participate. Members will arrange their transport and accommodation, with daily commutes being an option. The camp starts off with a “regular” dryland morning, with the Saturday afternoon focusing on technique at low intensity. A long steady distance rollerski might be offered as well for that afternoon. Sunday will feature a fun group activity, new to XCCM Fall training, orienteering! Those who worked on rollerski skills on Saturday will have the option to practice at their pace on Sunday morning. Yoga, maybe swimming, will wrap up Sunday and the Camp.
Accommodation: 2 chalets will be pre-booked for XCCM. Details to follow.
Program:
Saturday, Oct. 4
- Morning. Dryland session
- Lunch
- Afternoon. Choice of activities: rollerskiing, cycling or dynamic hiking. Emphasis will be on technique, skill development and LSD. Low intensity.
- Evening. Group dinner – potluck TBC
Sunday, Oct. 5
- Morning. Orienteering or rollerski technique practice.
- Lunch
- Afternoon. Yoga TBC
It is a wintry thing, but included here since it happens during our fall training season
WINTER CAMP AT SILVER STAR – DEC 1 TO 5, 2025
Silver Star, BC.
$250 (coached activities only)
Coaches Peter Lloyd and Dan Mallet will be leading the XCCM Winter Camp. A third coach may be added if numbers warrant. SilverStar offers early-season skiing at altitude in a spectacular venue. The camp runs Monday to Friday, 9 am to noon with video feedback. Afternoons are free, and are good opportunities for LSD or recovery skiing. Members are advised to arrive a few days before the camp to acclimatize to the altitude. Participants will arrange their meals, accommodations, transport, and ski pass purchases.
IMPORTANT: book flights and accommodation early in the Fall, for substantial savings and accommodation availability.
Tentative program – subject to changes based on weather, snow or other conditions
- Date: Dec 1 to 5, 2025
- Time: 9:00 am to Noon
- Format:
- Mon – classic
- Tue – skate
- Wed – Sovereign Lake day
- Thu – distance skiing
- Fri – downhill technique on Nordic trails.
- Cost: $250 (coached activities only)
- Accommodation/Transport/Meals/Passes: Self-arranged
- Maximum: 24
SATURDAY DRYLAND (INCLUDING A LOW-IMPACT GROUP) – SEP 6 TO DEC 13, 2025
8:30 am – 11:30 am, in Gatineau Park (Except Oct 4th at Lac-Ste-Marie)
$220 for 15 weeks
The training goals will be endurance, anaerobic/aerobic intervals, strength, and flexibility. There will be groups of different fitness levels, with one low-impact group. Members enjoying their maturing or repairing “frames” can choose to join this adaptive group and walk/jog to lessen the impact. We will combine dynamic warm-up activities, intervals or intensity using various activities such as ski walking, ski bounding, running, a cool-down, and strength exercises. You will need ski walking/bounding poles (slightly shorter than classic XC ski poles), an exercise/yoga mat, a water belt, snacks, and dry clothes to change into. Dress for running. We often go for coffee and food in Old Chelsea after practice.
Format:
- Dynamic warm-up
- Strength
- Easy distance & intervals
- Cool down
- Stretching