The goals of the APUNSC Masters program include general fitness/health, cross-country ski technique, and a love of Nordic skiing. Programs are offered around the year from 2-5 days a week. Our members receive up-to-date help with technique, organized training sessions (including distance, intervals, and speed), information regarding local events, ski care, and waxing. The program also features annual events including waxing clinics, APU sponsored races, BBQs, program parties, and club ski selection/fitting night.

Year Round Program (May10 – April 22) The year round program is recommended for those who want consistency in their training. The program is a great way to enjoy the Anchorage trails in all seasons and have training partners on a daily basis. Year round athletes benefit from continued fitness and have the highest likelihood of experiencing improvement from year to year. The Year Round program includes Summer, Fall, and Winter Sessions.

Summer Session (May 10 – August 13) - Fall (August 16 – September 30) The dry land season is an important time to build ski specific fitness. Group training is 4 days a week Monday thru Thursday. Typical training includes roller skiing, strength, running, biking, and hill bounding. Spring is focused on transitioning winter fitness to summer activities with an “activation” period. Spring activities include running, strength and some biking. Summer is focused on building general fitness and introducing roller skiing into training. Summer includes roller skiing, running, biking, and strength. Fall training focuses on ski specific fitness. Training includes strength, roller skiing, running with poles, and biking. Activities start general in the spring and become more specific over the summer and into the fall.

Example of summer schedule:
Monday: Run plus APU Circuit training and ski specific bounding at APU
Tuesday: Bounding with poles – VO2 max intervals
Wednesday: Skate roller ski, technique
Thursday: Mountain biking, distance

Winter Session (October 1 – April 22) The winter session focuses on ski fitness and technique. The group meets 5 times per week and workouts are divided between time in the weight room, distance workouts, technique workouts, specific strength workouts, interval workouts, tours, and clinics. Practices are generally 1-2 times per week at APU, 2-3 times per week on the Hillside trails, and 1 day/week at Kincaid Park. If you are interested in racing, our program offers course inspection, race prep, waxing recommendation for Anchorage Cup races. In the spring training in geared towards participation in the Tour of Anchorage marathon race.

Example of winter schedule:
Monday: Run/APU Core training/ski specific weight training and stretching
Tuesday: Classic ski, uphill speed training
Wednesday: Skate ski, distance with technique drills
Thursday: Classic ski, Threshold intervals
Friday: Gym day (before snow in town) or Skate ski, distance with technique

New for 2010 – Two days a week option! This year we have added the option of signing up for two days a week for the year round and seasonal sessions. In the summer and fall, pick any 2 days a week to attend. In the winter the 2 days a week option will be Tuesday and Thursday. We will be offering a Year Round session, Summer session, Fall session, and Winter session 2 day a week.

Flex option We also offer a “flex option” which allows APU members to train with either the noon or evening group. This option is great for people that work and would occasionally miss practices due to other commitments. If you’re busy at noon, come in the evening – or if you have plans at night, come at noon! See the Master’s program registration for more details.

Training Time:
Noon Masters is from 12:15 to 1:45 PM
Evening Masters is from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Training Locations:

Training is typically at Hillside, Kincaid, or APU. In early winter we may ski at Glenn Alps until the snow is ready in town. In the summer months we occasionally meet at “other” locations.

Primary training locations:

APU: Atwood parking lot Hilltop: Off of Abbot Rd, drive into the parking lot past the ski jump. Park near the beginning of the “gasline.” Kincaid: Upper parking lot near the chalet

Other training locations:

Jodphur Parking lot: Take Dimond West towards Kincaid. The road will turn 90 degrees to the right. The parking lot will be on your left. Potter: At the intersection of Potter Valley road and the New Seward Highway by the mailboxes Turnagain Arm Trail: Continue 1/8 mile past Potter intersection, parking lot is on the left side of the highway Sand Lake: Corner of Sand Lake and Kincaid Road near Sand Pit Development. Arctic Valley: Pass the golf course and continue until you reach a large parking lot on the right side of the gravel road.

Additional program details and registration policies:

*Payment plans are available for year round participants. The first ½ of the fee is due the first day of practice with the second ½ due on October 1st. Please choose the “Year round payment plan” option on registration sheet.

*Programs will be weekday Monday thru Friday with the exception of Holidays and weeks for US Nationals.

*Registration payments are due in full before the first day of the session (with the exception of year round payment plans.)

*We are offering a family discount this year! To be eligible you must have three or more family members signed up for APU programs, two of which must be year round members. After purchasing two year round memberships, all additional memberships are half price.

Thanks for your interest in our group and we look forward to having you!