Full Athlete Development – Join The Academy
Developing, Supporting & Coaching future Olympians and World-class Racers.
Over 100 athletes have passed through our doors as well as many great coaches, volunteers, wax staff and countless other contributors. Every person has helped shape who we are and what we do. Every year we make changes that we feel represent our athletes’ needs, our community, and to no small part our financial landscape.
Full-time, year-round high performance coaches
World-Class Facilities
On Snow October – April
Roller Ski Treadmill
Extensive Roller Ski Tracks
High Altitude Training
We offer year-round programming as well as summer programming for athletes training individually or with other clubs / training centres. See all options below
Academy Selection Criteria
Many factors play a role when considering all applications for the Academy training programs.
The application process is fairly competitive, with over 20-30 applications annually.
Decisions are based on Nordiq Canada and Nordiq Alberta guidelines and our mission and vision.
CRITERIA:
(This is not an exhaustive list of factors we would consider, but this is where we place priority. If applicants have race results outside this list, internationally or domestically that are of note, they should be included in the application.)
All Academy athletes will have to re-apply for a team spot every two years. This will allow athletes to focus on their development and personal goals, but also keeps the program competitive to allow the team as a whole to train with other athletes whose goals are very much aligned.
Option 1
Full Athlete Program – Canmore based
Weekly programming, designed for athletes pursuing athletic excellence.
Program Length: 11 months, May 2024 – March 2025.
Coaches: Nikki Gilman, Tormod Vatten
Team Fees:
Returning athletes: $5,500 + GST
New Athletes $6,000 + GST
*A portion of NST athletes’ fees are funded by Nordiq Canada.
INCLUDED:
- Annual Individual Training Plan including group and individual sessions
2 – 4 team sessions weekly plus individual sessions - Year-Round Program:
2024 Local Training + Camp Program
2024-25 Competition Program – individually designed based on goals and objectives - Ski fleet testing
- Daily monitoring using up to date technology
- Discounted Lululemon summer training clothes
- Discounted Team Uniform (Swix – Race Suits, Team Jackets, Pants)
- Sauce team headwear
EXCLUDED:
- Camp and competition costs (Travel, Accommodation, Food, Shared Cost of Staff Travel)
- NC/FIS race licence, race registrations, race wax, trail passes
- Gym membership – Strength planning is done on an individual basis
- CSI consulting costs for physiological tests, nutrition, psychology, etc.
- Personal Equipment – we can help source equipment at team pricing
Do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions: ngilman@albertaworldcup.com
Option 2
TRAIN & STUDY PROGRAM – Calgary based
University of Calgary campus
Weekly programming designed for U20 and U23 athletes pursuing athletic and academic excellence.
Program Length: 11 months, May 2024 – March 2025.
Coach: Jouni Pitkänen
Team Fees:
Returning Athletes: $5,500 + GST
New Athletes $6,000 + GST
Add-on: Transportation Fee (Calgary – Canmore return) $1,000 + GST
*A portion of NST athletes’ fees are funded by Nordiq Canada.
INCLUDED: (in addition to Option 1)
- Weekly training schedule designed around school schedules (see below).
- Minimum 3 team sessions per week plus individual sessions:
2 – 4 sessions in Calgary | 1-2 sessions in Canmore - Early access to University of Calgary class registration
- Administrative help navigating enrolment, classes and exam schedules
- Team van transportation for local training can be obtained as an add-on, see fees above
- Use of xc rollers treadmill, located on campus at University of Calgary.
EXCLUDED:
- Camp and competition costs (travel, accommodation, food, shared cost of staff travel)
- NC/FIS race licence, race registrations, race wax, trail passes
- Gym membership – Strength planning is done on an individual basis
- CSI consulting costs for physiological tests, nutrition, psychology, etc.
- Personal Equipment – we can help source equipment at team pricing
SUMMER TRAINING:
Our summer program runs from May 20 – August 31, 2024, and includes participation in all team sessions. Fees: $ 1,500 + GST.
Coaching and Consultants
NIKKI GILMAN – PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Nikki will be leading all athlete program for the 2024 – 25 season. About to embark on her third year with the Academy, Nikki brings a tremendous enthusiasm for athlete development to go along with her wealth of experience.
Hometown: Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin, USA
Years with the Academy: 3rd year
Education: BS in Exercise Physiology and BA in Philosophy from The College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN.
Coaching Background:Bogus Basin Nordic Team (Boise, ID) Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (Sun Valley, ID) Kimberley Nordic Club (Kimberley, BC).
TORMOD VATTEN – HIGH PERFORMANCE COACH
Grew up in Surnadal, Norway
Years with the Academy: 4th year
Education: BS in Exercise Physiology and MSc in Sports Pedagogy specializing in Cross Country Skiing, PE from Norwegian School of Sports Science.
Coaching Background: 14 years of coaching, with 7 years full-time, in Kjelsås IL, Oslo, Iceland, and Alberta.
Coaching Achievements:
– Coached during 5 Junior World Championships
– Eleven athletes in Top 10 Results at World and World Junior Championships
ROBIN MCKEEVER – HIGH PERFORMANCE COACH
Grew up in Canmore, AB
Years with the Academy: 1st year
Coaching Background: ChPC 17 years, National Team coach PLY & OLY 4 years, Head coach Foothills Nordic Ski Club
Awards:
– Canadian Governor General, Meritorious Service Medal (Civil) 2016
– 2 x Tim Frick Canadian Coach of the YEar Award (2018, 2022)
– Inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame
Lahav Wolach – Lead Race Service
Having grown up in the ski hotbed of Israel, Lahav is famous for his attitude that if he can make skis glide on sand, then snow is not a problem. Lahav started waxing skis for Foothills Nordic and Rocky Mountain Racers as his kids navigated the high-performance system. With his kids grown up and no longer racing, Lahav’s love of the sport and the challenge waxing provides sees him back working with us and other Canadian international trips. Best representing the impact he has had on our team can be best summed up by a pre-trip athlete question; “Is Lahav coming…good!”
Tim Wintoniw – Lead Wax Tech
Originally hailing from Manitoba, and one of the co-founders of Downtown Nordic, Tim has been a wax tech with AWCA since 2013. Currently living in Kimberley, British Columbia, Tim has done waxing tours with Biathlon Canada as well as Nordiq Canada. Most recently Tim was one of the commentators for the 2023 FIS Jr and U23 World Championships.
Jess Kryski – Physiologist
Originally working for the CSI Calgary as the lead physiologist for the cross country able and para and biathlon national teams, Jess moved to Revelstoke, BC in 2018 and is continuing to support programs as a consultant. We feel very fortunate to have Jess as part of our team, providing critical support in developing athlete training programs and supporting our monitoring and testing. Jess’ experience includes leading programs through the 2014 and 2018 Olympic cycles.
Matt Wiley – Physiotherapist
Former Alberta World Cup Academy member, Matt graduated with a Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Alberta after completing an undergraduate degree in kinesiology at the University of Calgary. Originally from the Okanagan, Matt was drawn to the mountains in Alberta to pursue competitive cross-country skiing, staying in Alberta to pursue his education. Matt grew up playing many different sports including volleyball, basketball and tennis. Matt’s experience with a variety of sports anchors his active approach to therapy, combining the right balance of exercise and hands-on manual therapy.
University of Calgary Sports Medicine Centre
We continue to partner with the University of Calgary Sports Medecine Centre. Athletes attending our program and attending the University of Calgary are provided with timely services when medical concerns arise.
Canadian Sport Institute (CSI) Calgary
As a national team development centre, we are partnered with the CSI in Calgary to help us deliver support via the most up to date sport science in Canada and the world. All our testing is conducted by the CSI as well as most of our IST services: psychology, nutrition, physiotherapy, osteopathy, sport medicine. These services can be coordinated by Chris Jeffries on a cost recovery basis.
Judy and Mike Mappin – Canmore Nordic Sport Services
Judy and Mike have been working on and off with the team in the ski service side since the early days of the Academy. Both are equally passionate about their own training and racing pursuits as they are about fast skis. With the help of The Grinders in Canmore, Judy and Mike have had a big impact on our team with ski identification and selection, as they help our skiers manage their ski fleets. This is tireless work that begins in the spring and continues through the early winter season as they help our team make sense of this complex and always changing technical area.
Do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions: ngilman@albertaworldcup.com or info@albertaworldcup.com
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