While much of the northern hemisphere has been struggling with little to no snow thus far in the 2011/12 winter season, the 2011 Oregon Fall Camp held at Mt Bachelor & Bend, Oregon has thus far been a practically perfect exception.
Beginning last Thursday (December 1), the first five day block of the two-part Camp enjoyed the best of all snow/weather worlds. A nearly three foot base and over 25km of groomed trails took care of the snow side. For weather, every Camp day thus far has featured brilliant sunshine, highs into the 30s, and rapidly decreasing winds.
According to Camp Founder and XC Oregon Coach J.D. Downing, this unlikely December snow/weather cocktail has produced one of the best Oregon Fall Camps on record.
“I’ve done this camp for over a decade now and thus far this is got to be up there for practically perfect weather and snow,” says Downing. “We’ve got classic skiers still on kick wax with just some binder underneath. For skating it’s fast, but you still get good purchase. The short days have kept a certain amount of powder out there that is still getting tilled in. No obstacles whatsoever on the trails. It’s really easy for both the campers and coaches to just focus on productive clinic sessions. Based on everything I’m seeing and hearing — it’s very likely we have as good or better skiing here than anywhere else in the world right now.”
Featuring a program designed specifically for master skiers, since 2001 the Oregon Fall Camp has been a staple of the early season North American camp scene attracting up to 100 skiers per year from throughout the U.S.
The Oregon Fall Camp continues December 7-11 with a limited amount of space still available for interested individuals. Visit www.xcoregon.org for complete information and daily updates.
