As the best coaches say: “skiers are made during summer.” 

Training camps are one of the most effective ways to join the teams’ athletes or gather skiing enthusiasts and get some good training together. Hopefully, this should be done in a nice location with good training conditions and pleasant sights. 

ProXCskiing compiled a list of the top 5 places for your summer training trip. Some of them are familiar to long-distance and traditional cross-country skiers, and others may present a twist to the usual summer training locations.

Summer is arriving, and you feel that it would be nice to join your skiing enthusiast friends, or even your elite teammates, in a nice place where you can have a lot of quality training sessions? Training camps are essential for elite athletes because it is an opportunity to test how summer training is going and strengthen team cohesion. 

But it is also essential to get some “mental rest” and find motivation for next season. Teams are used to being together throughout the season, where they keep their minds focused on things like racing, training, traveling, preparing skis, and so on. Summer training camps present an opportunity to train in a more relaxed atmosphere. Therefore it might be easier for many people to find joy and motivation to keep preparing for the winter season. 

Moreover, who doesn’t like to travel? We compiled a list of locations that present good training conditions for recreational and elite athletes.

1 – Enjoy some sunny training in Costa de Almeria, Spain

Costa de Almeria in Spain is one of the best-kept secrets for endurance athletes, especially when the weather is not so nice in other parts of Europe. Despite not being known for most cross-country skiers, Almeria’s training conditions are pretty good for summer training, with year-round average temperatures between 16 and 22 Celsius degrees. Just be careful to avoid training at the warmest time of the day during July and September, when temperatures may go above 30 Celsius degrees.

Besides good weather, Costa de Almeria has excellent roads for rollerskiing, and it is possible to find places with almost no traffic. Moreover, it is surrounded by mountains, making it possible to train both on flat surfaces, close to the beach, and enjoy some hilly courses. Velefique is a climb that will test your shape.

Finally, the fantastic beaches, food, and festive atmosphere are reasons for cross-country skiers to go there and enjoy some training holidays.

2 – Enjoy a different scenario in Rieti – Amatrice, Italy

This year’s Rollerski World Cup finals will be in a different Italian region: Rieti – Amatrice. The famous ski resort in Lazio, also known as “Rome’s Mountain,” may not be as known for cross-country skiers as the Seiser Alm. Still, it presents an opportunity to find new places for summer training and competitions, attracting more people to the sport.

This mountain range has peaks above 2000 meters high and well-paved roads that present good and demanding conditions for rollerskiing and cycling in hilly terrains with breathtaking sceneries. If you are looking for long uphill training sections, this region may be perfect. But consider that you need to be in good shape because some roads will take hours to climb.

Finally, you can enjoy the beauty and the culture of central Italy, with some delicious food to help your carbohydrate intake.

3 – The Stelvio Pass can break your body and mind

If you are looking for a tough challenge, Stelvio Pass may be the right choice. It is one of the most grueling roads in the world. The Stelvio Pass in Italy is one of Europe’s most iconic climbs, and it was made famous by the Tour of France.

Going above 2500 meters and with climbs with over 20% of incline, this is one of the most demanding places in the world, even for seasoned climbers. Get some help from friends or family who can take the service car to the top, put your rollerskis on, and start going uphill for some serious physical and mental training that will keep you motivated for the next season.

4 – Mallorca is a paradise for summer training

You may have seen many of the FIS World Cup and Ski Classics athletes preparing for their winter season in Mallorca, and that happens for a reason. The Spanish island is the perfect place for summer training, with its pleasant year-round temperatures, beautiful beaches, and fantastic mountain roads.

The capital of cycling in the Mediterranean has also fostered a good reputation for rollerskiing, with its bike-friendly roads and sunny climate during autumn. And it is a perfect training location, because it works both for professional teams and family/friends vacations, due to the towns, beaches and the many things to do on the island.

One of the most famous routes is the Cap de Formentor. With spectacular views and stunning climbs, it has been considered one of the world’s best cycling routes. This is a route for seasoned athletes, as the climbs and sometimes descents can be challenging. But it presents an excellent opportunity for summer training, mainly because there is a ban on motor vehicles from 10 am till 7 pm during the summer months, making it a natural athlete’s friendly place.

5 – Get some quality training in Seiser Alm/Alpi di Siusi

Seiser Alm/Alpi di Siusi is one of the most famous cross-country skiing destinations. Good cross-country ski trails, enchanting views, altitude training, and many more characteristics make this place perfect for summer and winter training. Every year, we can see the photos of the world’s best skiers training in this region. It is the “El Dorado” of endurance training. 

If you are looking for a summer training vacation in this region, you may find some of your skiing heroes on the tracks. Petter Northug, Marit Bjørgen, Therese Johaug, and much more use or have used the optimal training conditions of this region to prepare for their winter seasons.

In Seiser Alm, you can enjoy great long runs in the mountains while stopping to refuel in one of the many mountain lodges you find along the way. You can use the perfect roads for some high-intensity training on rollerskis, like going from Kastelruth to Seis.

Choosing the right destination

There are many more places that could be included in this list. However, the five destinations listed in this article present a good variety of training conditions. From the sunnier beaches of Europe to the most beautiful peaks, these places share one thing in common: good summer training conditions for long-distance and traditional cross-country skiers, both physically and mentally.

Take some time to evaluate your goals and needs and choose wisely your next summer training destination. If you are going with a team and want to spend time training and relaxing with your family, all these places present a good opportunity for a balanced holiday.