Burke Nordic is planning a special trip for the spring break. In mid-April there are two FIS races in Sweden, a sprint and a 30 km race, followed by a fun ski-cross in which a downhill run determines qualifiers for a roller-coaster sprint; three races in three days in the heart of some of Sweden’s best terrain. The opportunity to enter FIS races in Scandinavia offers invaluable experience for our kids and this is a perfect chance to get speed and distance. These races wrap up the FIS season in Sweden and they are always well attended by both Norway’s and Sweden’s best.

What is different about this year’s trip is that while it is about racing it is not only about racing. We will spend the week prior to the races in long tours and enjoying what skiing is really all about…whole days in the sun and the snow…an hour or two at a “vaffel stugo” a waffle/coffee hut out in the hills. A journey from one town to another. a trailside fire for tea and ‘dogs; things that are the heart of cross-country skiing and the part that gets more precious as the miles click by.

Swedish Spring Skiing

The other thing that is different is that we are inviting parents and friends. We have limited openings, and the BMA Team will have first pick, but we would like to have new folks along to cheer, or to race, and to share two weeks in the Swedish mountains.

We will have two rental vehicles but the idea for this trip is get to the mountains and then to minimize travel time. Lodging is at the Walles Mountain Hotel, a comfortable small trail side hotel with fabulous food. We have access to a complete kitchen, but the price includes breakfast, a pack lunch we build ourselves, and dinner. The rooms are double occupancy with wc and shower, and plain but pleasant. The village of Funasdalen is a short drive or a fun ski away, and farther up the valley is the extensive Alpine resort of Raamundberget.

Flight is likely out of Boston to Stockholm and return and at the moment Icelandair is the front runner. It is an easy trip with a mid-way stop in Iceland which allows for a nice stretch of the legs.

Projected cost is $3275 inclusive. Race entries, road food (food while traveling), and beverages at dinner are individual expenses. Approximate dates are 8, April to 21 April.

Give this some thought. We could put a good group together, and it could be a lot of fun and educational for you to play and watch the game in its homeland.

Visit www.funasdalen.com  and www.walles.se to get a peek at the hotel and the area, and let me know if you might be interested. We have good time but not time to waste to pull the trip together.

Best, Pete

Peter Phillips

Head Nordic Coach

Burke Mountain Academy

pphillips@burkemtnacademy.org

gamlefisken@yahoo.com

518-524-4127 mobil

802-626-1516-ext1012 Office

USST Coach Matt Whitcomb with Alumni and BMA Team on the Campus.

Burke Mountain Academy is holding its second Christmas Camp for J2, J3 and J4  skiers December 18th through the 21st on the Burke Campus in East Burke, Vermont. Joining us here on the hill will be US Team Athlete and BMA alumna Liz Stephen, and US Team Coach and former BMA Head Coach Matt Whitcomb. Matt and Liz were here last year and their contribution was a highlight of the camp. For them to take time in the Holidays to include the Christmas Camp in the busy days before Anchorage and Vancouver is something we certainly don’t take lightly. The camp offers a wonderful opportunity to get three full days of personal coaching with Matt and Liz, Burke Coach Matt Johnson, and several Burke college skiers. Call Matt Johnson or Pete Phillips at BMA for more details of the Camp. 802-626-1516 ext 1012. mjohnson@burkemtnacademy.org pphillips@burkemtnacademy.org