Methodology - Itinerary - Food - Altitudinem Cervi - Guest Speakers - Lodging/Transportation - Legacy Members - Standards - Application - FAQ
Grade 10 - 12
HS Athletes
12 Nights, 4500ft
$1750
Aug 23 - Sept 4
Summer in the Mountains
Elk Valley Track Club is proud to offer Canada's only full length altitude training camp.
Based out of Canada's highest town with access to some of the best training spots in the country including, high mountain forest service roads for grinding miles, quiet country roads for threshold work, and the country's highest track.
Launch your XC season with some of the best runners in the country in Canada's greatest training destination
Limited to 10 spots, apply early to secure your place
Methodology
This isn't your average summer sports camp, a week packed with big games, fun activities, and limited time on the actual sport
We are here on a mission to do one thing, set athletes up to win races in the fall
So we've doubled the length of a traditional camp, giving you 11 full days of training at altitude
We haven't loaded the schedule with endless fun 'activities', we are here to run, and the fun is in running at some of the best training locations, with the best high school runners in the country
So there will be no days whitewater rafting, quadding, or golfing, but there will be 10 milers on Canada's highest roads (7,900ft), long strides on Canada's highest track (4,500ft), and lots of naps in between
Not for the faint of heart EVTC altitude camp is built for athletes with a single minded focus to chase greatness
Training will be based around an early season XC build, pumping out lots of miles between 2 sessions per day, with a few specific threshold sessions
We aim to accommodate athletes just coming back off of Legions and those who may have a couple more weeks of training in their legs
Fully immerse yourself in two weeks of mountain training and team bonding. No phones during camp, they will be taken the first night and returned on the final night
Methodology
Early Sample Itinerary
Food
Two team cooks will prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner for all home base meals
Team breakfast will be after the morning run
Muffins and similar light snack items will be available to those wanting something before running
For day trips to Waterton/Fernie athletes will need to pack their own lunch from the provided food selection
The team dinner in Fernie is covered for up to $50/athlete
Snacks and Gels for fueling will be available at all time to athletes
Our lead cook is a professional baker, there will be lots of baked goods available
Dietary restrictions for allergic and other health reasons will be accommodated, no vegetarian options
All workout fueling, gel/drink mixes will be supplied based on athlete preferences
Examples of Meals
Breakfast
- Breakfast Burritos
- Skillet
- Baked Oatmeal
- Breakfast Casserole
Lunch
- Italian Sausage Soup & Buns
- Chicken Quesadillas
- Pasta Salad
- Burrito Bowls
Dinner
- Burgers
- Tri Tip BBQ
- Tortellini Bake
- Naan Flatbread Pizza
Altitudinem Cervi
Athletics is an individual sport, but Cross Country is it's team component
And since EVTC Altitude Camp is built around training for XC, the camp needs a team component too
Upon arrival athletes will be sorted into two teams "Lydiard" or "Cerutty"
Over the course of 12 days teams will battle across a wide spectrum of competitions to take home the "Altitudinem Cervi" trophy
The winning team will have their names engraved on the trophy so future generations of camp athletes can remember the heritage
Guest Speakers
Bertil Johannsen
32 year college coaching career
14x Alberta Provincial XC Team Titles
19x Individual Provincial XC Titles
7x Canadian College XC Team Titles
9x Individual National XC Champions
MSc UVIC
NCCP Level 4 NCI
More Speakers TBA
Lodging/Transportation
We have a house secured for lodging in Elkford, it will be bunk lodging 3-5 to a room on individual air mattresses with bedding provided on each
Weather dependent it will also be an option to sleep under the stars outdoors
Home is equipped with laundry (we will do it everyday), full kitchen and dining area for team breakfast, lunch and dinner (we have a team chef so all meals are healthy and home cooked), hot tub, and fire pit
We will provide shuttles from YYC to Elkford on Aug 23, leaving the airport at 15:00MDT. And back to YYC from Elkford on Sept 4, arriving at the airport at 14:30MDT
Two team vans will be used for all transportation, and as support vehicles for all runs
Legacy Members
As supporters of the first EVTC Altitude Camp we will remember you as an important part of our story, and want to reward you as best we can going forward
2027 athletes will therefore forever be regarded as Legacy members of the club, that means 15% off if you come back next year, a bonus totally exclusive EVTC shirt, the camp t-shirt for every year going forward in perpetuity, and being engraved as an original Legacy member on the Altitudinem Cervi
Standards
Camp is limited to 10 athletes, 4-6 Boys / 4-6 girls to foster strong group bonding over 13 days
Because of the small camp size we want to ensure that all training can be done together as a single pack for each sex
Given that we have established the following standards
Athletes having achieved one of the standards will be accepted on a first come first served basis, those not having achieved the standard are still welcome to apply and will be offered spots starting on June 26
We slightly relaxed the standards for kids entering grade 10 understanding that those kids may have as little as one year of quality training
Athletes must be prepared to run at least 50mpw in doubles, with the understanding that some might be logging 80+
Grade Entering | 800 | 1500 | 3000 |
|---|---|---|---|
11/12 Boy | 1:56 | 4:05 | 8:55 |
10 Boy | 1:57 | 4:10 | 9:10 |
11/12 Girl | 2:16 | 4:55 | 10:50 |
10 Girl | 2:18 | 5:00 | 11:05 |
Application & Intake Forms
2027 Camp Application (Google Form, PDF)
Intake Questionnaire (For Accepted Athletes)
Media/Injury Release (For Accepted Athletes)
PDF forms can be emailed to elkvalleytc@gmail.com
A $200 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot, with full payment due by June 25
FAQ
What do I need to bring?
We are proud to present a truly all inclusive experience for the athletes. As long as you show up with a pair of daily trainers and enough clothes to get you through one day of training, you are going to have a great experience. There are a few items of note we would recommend for the best experience though;
Daily trainers suitable for gravel
Faster shoe for the roads & track
Performance racing flat/spikes
Enough gear for at least 4 training sessions, we will do laundry daily. Even in August high in the Canadian Rockies there is some chance of cold conditions so we do recommend a set of tights, baselayer, and running jacket in the kit
Spending money for shopping in Fernie
Books or something else to do during nap/quiet time. Phones will be taken the first night of camp and returned the final night
Backpack
Set of casual clothes for church & day in Fernie
Bathing Suit
What is included
Technical t-shirt, Custom water bottle, Nomio & preferred energy gels/liquids, all meals & snacks including dinner out in Fernie, shuttle to and from Calgary airport