INSIDER

BLUE MOUNTAIN RESORT/RICHARD ROTH

STOKE + PROGRESSION AT BLUE’S SKILLS CAMPS

words :: Allison Kennedy Davies

Our region has quickly become a mecca for families who are passionate about outdoor activity. Most of us have put our kids in ski or snowboarding lessons with the dream of being able to build their skills to a level that you can eventually ride together. Blue Mountain Resort’s Skills Camps can help your active kids build their bike skills or round out their athletic ability with the same progression you’ve come to know and love.

Week-long day camps are running at the Mountain this summer, with a focus on providing skills-based programming for either trail biking or overall athletic performance.

While all experience levels are welcome, Blue’s Bike Skills Camp is offered to children ages 8-14. Campers require their own equipment and should know how to ride a bike. With these basics in check, camp instructors will help the kids focus on adapting those skills to mountain bike trails.

“There are a lot of unique skills and manoeuvres to learn when you start riding in an off-road environment,” explains Alex Mann, Assistant Manager of Snow School and On-hill Programming at Blue. “Dirt, forested trails, obstacles, steeper up and down sections, tighter, twistier turns—when you get into an off-road genre of biking, lots of new challenges pop up. The camp is structured around gaining those skills.”

Based out of Blue Mountain’s South Base Lodge where Mike Towers, Manager of Parks and Trails Maintenance, and his team have been gradually building a skills zone for cyclists, the camp will utilize Blue’s existing XC trails as well as some of the lower mountain

collector trails. “Really what we are looking to do is rebuild biking at Blue Mountain from the ground up,” explains Towers. “We want to be the place to come to progress your skills—to feel comfortable, learn and develop. We were at the far end of that spectrum at one time— catering to advanced riders, really—but we missed this generation of progression for beginners of all ages.”

For active kids who want to improve their overall athletic performance, Blue’s Multisport Skills Camp is another ideal summer option. Created by the Jozo Weider race coaching team, campers can expect to jump, throw, balance and sprint while engaged in a variety of sports and outdoor play. “We have focused on activities that promote power and speed as well as overall coordination and agility,” says Becki Relihan, Director of Programming and Recreation for Blue. “This is a great option for off-season training for skiers and snowboarders but also a fun, well-rounded approach to any sport cross-training. That said, the Multisport Skills Camp is truly for any kid who is energetic and loves being outside.”

Week-long campers will spend as much time riding and training as possible, but campers will also have access to the summer attractions at Blue. On rainy days, the bike skills camp will also have a focus on basic bike tuning and setup so young riders become as selfsufficient as possible. Relihan says trail stewardship, riding etiquette and good sportsmanship will also be touched on.

“We want to get the kids here, have fun with them all week and they hopefully catch the passion for outdoor sport and encourage their parents to get outside and play when they’re here.”

“Dirt, forested trails, obstacles, steeper up and down sections, tighter, twistier turns—when you get into an off-road genre of biking, lots of new challenges pop up. The camp is structured around gaining those skills.”

Want to sign up your young rider for the summer? Call 1-833-583-BLUE to register or visit Guest Services at Blue Mountain Resort.