2012 Sierra Ski-Orienteering Tour
Training Areas
World Cup and WRE competitors are prohibited from training at Auburn Ski Club, Tahoe Donner Cross Country, and Tahoe Cross Country ski areas until after the World Cup.
Because the World Cup competition will be occurring at about 2000 meters in elevation, we recommend training at that elevation so that you will be acclimated to the elevation.
Places where you can train are any other cross country ski area in the Sierras. Places that we recommend are the following:
- Royal Gorge (http://www.royalgorge.com/) – Located off of Interstate 80 in the Donner Summit area (just east of Truckee) at about 2000 meters in elevation. This cross country resort has 250+ km of groomed ski trails in all sorts of terrain. This place is located about 4-hours drive from the first World Cup event at Bear Valley. Trail pass prices are cheaper this year under new ownership. We recommend renting a cabin in Soda Springs, or getting a bunk room at the Clair Tappan (Sierra Club) lodge. There are more expensive hotels in the area (Ice Lakes Lodge and Rainbow Lodge, both owned by the owners of Royal Gorge Cross Country.)
- Kirkwood Cross Country (http://www.kirkwood.com/site/cross-country/xc-center) – Located on Highway 88 and at 2300 meters in elevation. This cross country resort has 80+ km of beautiful trails. Probably best to rent a cabin in the area, or stay in a town down the mountain from this resort. This resort is about 2.5-hours drive from Bear Valley.
- Yosemite National Park (http://www.yosemitepark.com/badgerpass_crosscountryskiing.aspx) – One 10-mile trail to Glacier Point, no network of trails. Great for strength building at 2200 meters elevation, and gorgeous views of a valley 1000 meters below, but no navigation training. Stay in the valley (probably snow free) and drive up to Badger Pass for skiing. Pay only for your car when entering the park. This park is about 3.5-hours drive from Bear Valley.
- Montecito Sequoia (Sequoia National Park) (http://www.montecitosequoia.com/) – Limited trail network (about 30 km) and 5.5 hours drive from Bear Valley. 2300 meters in elevation.
For low-cost housing, we recommend sharing a cabin with others or, if you don't mind a 40–50 minute drive, stay in Arnold, CA or Reno, CA. We don't recommend those places during the event because of the long drive when you need to start at a specific time. When training on your own, those places work so long as you don't mind the drive. Also, there is a large resort with shops and restaurants called Boomtown near Reno, about 35 or 40 minutes drive. See our lodgings links for those places.