Nordic Masters’ Club

*CLUB REGISTRATION WILL OPEN SOON*

The Ford Sayre Nordic Masters’ Club is focused on love of the sport and fostering a community for Nordic skiers aged 18+. Participation opportunities are offered year round for all ability levels and include everything from beginner lessons to advanced technique sessions, support at races in the region, ski-centric social gatherings, training camps, and more.

Basic Club Membership ($85)

Basic Club Membership is purchased once per year and primarily covers insurance and administrative costs. Access to the following activities is provided at no extra cost.

  • Email newsletters
  • Wednesday Night Community Event and Race: The Wednesday Night Community Event and Race is open to the public but the Master Club runs and supports the race. It includes locally made prizes, post-race food and drink, and the incredible end of season band party that last year featured Tom Masterson and the Nordic Norms. Details will be announced online, in newsletters, and in flyers at Oak Hill. Participating and volunteering is a great way to support the program and community, besides having a lot of fun.
  • Extra support for beginners: Coach Jane Henry is offering small-group lessons starting at noon on Wednesdays focused on classic technique with the objective of building a strong classic skiing posture and gliding on one ski. The sessions will progress to classic ski excursions over the course of the season.
  • A special 2-for-1 perk for remote strength and mobility training (see below).
  • Early sign-up opportunities for Ford Sayre Masters Club training camps.

Basic Membership is required to purchase Fall or Winter Session Training add-on packages (descriptions below).

Other Costs and Add-ons
Any basic club membership and fall and winter training activities that occur on snow at Oak Hill Outdoor Center, Garipay or the golf course trails, require the purchase of an Oak Hill Outdoor Center trail pass. Passes can be purchased here.

Social Skis

  • Dates & Times: Mondays from 6:30 to 8:00 AM, when there is snow
  • Location: Oak Hill Outdoor Center or Garipay
  • Focus: Meet and ski with fellow members of the Ford Sayre Masters’ Club

Wednesday Beginner Sessions

  • Dates & Times: Wednesdays from noon to 1 PM, from January 5 to February 9
  • Location: Oak Hill Outdoor Center or Garipay
  • Focus: Learn-to-ski level lessons. First three weeks will be done in the classic technique before progressing to the skate technique for the final three weeks. Beginner skiers are those who have no prior ski experience.

Fall Session Add-On ($150)

Two dryland practices per week. Dryland training includes ski-specific workouts ranging from on-foot activities such as running, ski-walking, bounding, and plyometrics as well as strength training in the Ford Sayre Clubhouse weight room. There may also be opportunities to roller ski for those who have roller ski equipment (a limited number of Club roller skis are available for borrowing).

Requirements:

  • Must hold a Basic Club Membership.
  • All levels welcome (no prior experience needed).

Fall Session details

  • Dates & Times*: Tuesdays and Thursdays from October 20 to December 17 (off Thanksgiving week)
    • Tuesdays: 5:00 to 6:30 PM
    • Thursdays: 12:00 to 1:30 PM
    • Come to as many or as few workouts as you want. We don’t expect attendance at all sessions.
  • Location: Oak Hill Outdoor Center
  • New written training plan: A season-long written training plan designed by Ford Sayre coaching staff will be used as a guide to improve ski performance and conditioning over the season. The plan will also serve to motivate skiers to ski together to achieve individual and common team goals. For Club racers, the plan will facilitate working together towards achieving peak performance at the Craftsbury Marathon and the Jackson End-of-Season Loppet.

*The Fall Session may include, depending on interest, uncoached Wednesday (mid-day or evening) pole bounding sessions, and weekend roller ski sessions.

Winter Session Add-On (1x OR 2x per week)

Option 1: once a week ($200)

  • Members can attend one winter training session per week.
  • Must hold a Basic Club Membership; enjoys all benefits of basic membership.
  • This training is geared towards intermediate and experienced Nordic skiers; this is not a learn-to-ski program.

Option 2: twice a week ($300)

  • Members can attend any or all winter sessions.
  • Must hold a Basic Club Membership; enjoys all benefits of basic membership.
  • This training is geared towards intermediate and experienced Nordic skiers; this is not a learn-to-ski program.

Winter Session details

  • Dates & Times:Tuesdays and Thursdays from January 5 to March 11
    • Tuesdays: 12:00 to 1:30 PM and 5:30 to 7:00 PM
    • Thursdays: 12:00 to 1:30 PM and 5:00 to 6:30 PM 
  • Location: Oak Hill Outdoor Center or Garipay
  • Structure: The sessions will generally be structured as follows. However, at times sessions may be geared toward intensity (where technique will be incorporated into speeds/intervals), or easier days that focus on technique work and distance skiing.
    • Warm-up: 10 minutes
    • Technique and workout instruction with coach (Stadium): ~15-25 minutes
    • Ski and/or workout (dividing into groups based on experience and goals): ~35-45 minutes
    • Cool-down: ~10 minutes
    • Review (discuss days activities, progress, and plans/goals moving forward): ~5-10 minutes
  • New written training plan: A season-long written training plan designed by Ford Sayre coaching staff will be used as a guide to improve ski performance and conditioning over the season. The plan will also serve to motivate skiers to ski together to achieve individual and common team goals. For Club racers, the plan will facilitate working together towards achieving peak performance at the Craftsbury Marathon and the Jackson End-of-Season Loppet.
  • Focus: Emphasis is on technique improvement and interval work under the guidance of a coach. Technique (classic or skate) and session plans will be communicated beforehand based on current snow conditions.

An Oak Hill Outdoor Center trail pass is required of anyone participating in the Winter Session Training. Passes can be purchased here.

Spring & Summer Training

Registration will open in the Spring. Opportunities include rollerski and running workouts and race coordination and support. Summer is highlighted by Ford Sayre Masters’ Adventure Camp, a long-weekend training experience that brings together adult and masters-age Nordic Skiers from across the region.

New England Nordic Masters’ & Seniors’ Training Adventure Camp

Designed for skiers looking to improve their skills, build fitness, and connect with fellow Nordic enthusiasts, the camp combines expert coaching, focused training sessions, and plenty of opportunities for camaraderie and fun. Participants enjoy a supportive environment where they can challenge themselves, learn from experienced coaches, and share the adventure with skiers of varying backgrounds and ability levels.

  • Dates: TBD
  • Location: Craftsbury Outdoor Center in Vermont
  • Ages: 18 and over
  • Registration: visit SkiReg.com for more details and to register – AVAILABLE MID-JUNE 2027!