Cross-Country Ski Training, Uncrunched.
Whether you're a skier or a ski coach, CXC Academy is your go-to for enhancing skiing fitness and gearing up for your next ski event.
Training Plans for Everyone
Easy-to-follow workout routines and integrated plans through TrainingPeaks™ ensure smooth progression toward your goals. Learn More
Free Video Library
Offering monthly ski-specific strength workout videos, on-snow and roller ski technique tutorials, with fresh content released every month.
See Video Library
CXC Academy's coaches, mentors, and advisors are certified, experienced, and prepared to guide skiers of all ages and abilities.
Meet the Coaches
Renae Anderson
Guest Coach & Mentor
CXC Academy welcomes Renae Anderson, a full-time professional skier with APU in Anchorage, Alaska, to its panel of guest coaches and mentors.
My name is Renae Anderson and I’m a skier from Golden Valley, Minnesota. I grew up racing with Loppet Nordic Racing and Hopkins High School, then skied for Bowdoin College in Maine. I competed for Team Birkie after graduation, and now compete for APU in Anchorage, Alaska.
"Skiing has been one of the most meaningful journeys in my life thus far, and I am always excited to help more people get involved and to share the joy. I’m looking forward to being a part of CXC Academy!"
- Renae Anderson
P.S. Feel free to join Renae on her skiing adventure by following along with her personal blog.
Jake Stiele
Guest Coach & Advisor
CXC Academy welcomes Jake Stiele, CXC Regional Development manager and Marathon Team coach with Team Birkie, to its panel of guest coaches and mentors.
Jake will provide training guidance through training plans, monthly video sessions addressing member inquiries, and instructional videos focusing on various aspects of sport-specific training such as race strategies, equipment selection, and technique refinement.
"Cross Country ski training and racing can be very fun and very challenging. As a guest coach with CXC Academy, it is my hope to deliver effective training, help you develop your skiing technique, and prepare you all for some high quality racing this coming winter!"
- Jake Stiele
JAKE STIELE
Jake is a CXC Regional Development manager and Marathon Team coach with Team Birkie.
RENAE ANDERSON
Renae is a full-time professional skier, competing for APU in Anchorage, Alaska.
YURIY GUSEV
Yuriy is a CXC Executive Director and oversees the CXC Academy personal coaching program.
STEVE MYRLAND
Steve is a movement and performance coach for athletes at all points on the competitive spectrum.
CXC Academy's coaches, mentors, and advisors are certified, experienced, and prepared to guide skiers of all ages and abilities.
Meet the Staff
“As a cross country skier this instruction is precisely what I’m looking for to help maintain my skills during the off season and to add a new dimension to my general fitness program.”
BILL PIERSOL
“Over the last two years, I’ve become a better skier thanks to the CXC training. I loved every minute of it and done things that I didn’t believe I could do.”
JEAN-MICHAEL DI NICOLA - LIVERMORE, CA
“The CXC programs have been awarding at getting me to perform better. I don’t know a better program out there.”
SHANE COCHRAN - BEND, OR
“Thanks for the access to your content as a way to find new ideas to add to my own as a way to keep things fresh and fun for my athletes.”
PHIL KLAIBER - Glens Falls, NY
“This was my first year with the CXC Academy and I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it. I wasn't training for anything other than having fun and I came into the season really strong and ready to ski. The workouts were great and entertaining and I loved everything about the program. I had a great ski season thanks to you!
I'm looking forward to another great year and maybe I'll enter a race or two next year!”
ERIN GILPIN - BISHOP, CA
“I recently achieved big goals by following CXC Academy training plans: I placed third at the 30k classic event of the Masters XC Skiing World Cup in Canmore about a month ago! I also place 5th at the 45k classic event of the same championships!”
ALEX BLAIS-MONTPETIT - REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN, CAN
“I wanted to reach out again to thank Steve Myrland for leading the strength training plan this year. The exercise plans have been excellent, and have greatly improved my balance and my ability to transfer core strength into power while skiing.”
ERIC BURNS - BOULDER, CO
“Jasper is really enjoying his involvement in the CXC training plan so far this summer. In particular the bonus videos, coach advice and the strength workouts. We feel lucky to have your help!”
KRISTY MCKAY - SAULT STE. MARIE, CANADA
“Last year the CXC Academy helped me achieve personal bests as a Masters athlete.”
JUSTIN MORGAN - SEATTLE, WA
“This program is great! Not just for skiing, but for life. My results have brought me to unexpected levels.”
DAVID KERR - Whitehorse, Canada
“I just wanted to say thanks to for the training plans. They taught me a lot about training and helped me focus on getting the most out of the hours I had available. I can’t wait to get back on the CXC plan this fall!”
JEREMIAH MENK - TWIN CITIES, MN
“Looking forward to see what I'll get from this training as I've been doing things on my own for a while now and feel like I'm stuck in my patterns.”
JEAN-FRANCOIS L’ECUYER - CANADA
“For me the CXC program has been really good. It has given an easy way to have a structured fitness and strength plan. The videos are very good and I’ve learnt a lot about all sorts of topics.”
MARK ELLIOTT - AUSTRALIA
“I found my core strength has improved, my balance is better, and I am running and skiing more fluidly.”
ROBERT PETERSON - BARRON, WI
“I appreciate the results that I have gotten, - I am skiing faster than ever. At the end of next triathlon season I will start again with your program.”
EDUARD BARCELO - GERONA, SPAIN
“I love the training platform. This is my second year and I feel like I'm learning how to ski for the first time after 25 years in the sport.”
JOHN BAHR - LA CROSSE, WI
“The knowledge on technique and training ideas was outstanding! See you next winter!”
MICHAEL KRAUSE - MILWAUKEE, WI
“This has been a great winter with a great season of your workouts. ”
ANDREW BERKOSKI - DILLINGHAM, AK
“First, thank you for the wonderful XC training programs that you've put together...they have been really fun to follow this summer and have kept me focused.”
KAREN APPLEBY - POCATELLO, ID
“I’ve followed many different kinds of plans before, and written some myself. Very much appreciate the way that the plan focuses on (to me) big blocks of times, and what is more or less important. Including rest! Thanks also for the help with questions I had while subscribing to XC Academy. The plans made for a very good training year, and I increased training hours to 400, which I would not have done otherwise.”
BOB LEVIN - BOULDER, CO
“I really value what you folks offer ... both as a masters skier and high school coach ... keep up the good work.”
CHRIS NAIMIE - BOW, NH
“Your guidance has helped me steadily move my Birkie wave start position upward!”
ALAN JOHNSON - SPOKANE, WA
“I am liking having your workouts to keep me interested and challenged. Thank you for the good plans and the extra ideas.”
ELLEN CHANDLER - NEW LONDON, NH
“I thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from having access to all the video and training material. There was so much it was hard to keep up with it all. There is no question CXC understands XC skiing in its entirety, and the quality and communication of the information you provided was exceptional. Thank you so much for what you have done for me and everyone else with an interest in this sport.”
ROSS DAMROW
“I have appreciated all the great info and the training plans have been invaluable! It’s definitely helped keep my training on track. I feel that both my technique on skies, and my knowledge of training have both improved greatly over the last season. Thanks for all the help!"
ARIC BISHOP - NELSON, B.C. CANADA
“I’ve enjoyed the membership and got into awesome shape and my skiing improved by 30 seconds per kilometer."
BARBARA JONES - BUENA VISTA, CO
“The Steve Myrland weight room exercises are fun and fascinating. They are sneaky hard and use muscles in ways I never would have thought of.”
KARL LARSON - MINOCQUA, WI
“The program taught me how to train correctly over the past year! Thanks for improving my skiing and getting me into much better shape.”
SAM KNAPP - Toivola, MI
"My wife and kids age 9-24 all nordic ski and your site is very helpful and motivating. The great videos and training information helped me have a fun and successful racing season."
WADE SMITH - Highlands Ranch, CO
“Thanks again for laying another great foundation as I train for all the racing in January and February. It’s been an awesome winter and your training plans have me feeling good for the Birkie.”
RYAN SPORTEL - Inver Grove Heights, MN
“I've been following your CXC training plan for the last 10 months and am really enjoying it. I'm definitely skiing faster.”
KRISTIN MADSEN - Winnipeg, Canada
“I like your "Performance Plan" and feel I am training smarter this year. Thanks very much your program! As a 70 year old citizen racer I have found the plans valuable and convenient to use.”
ERIC PETERSON, - Basalt, CO
"We're a small team in a tough section, yet our results have steadily improved. Besides the results I feel that the training plan is very easy to follow and it stresses skiers the right amount and gives them the rest that they need."
DAVE JOHNSON - Duluth , MN
“I'm really enjoying the training and for sure this is going to take me to the next level.”
CARY MARTIN - Salt Lake City, UT
“Thanks to CXC and Training Peaks, I set 2 personal bests after 20 years of citizen race skiing.”
KARL LARSON - Oshkosh, WI
"Just wanted to give you guys a big shout out after a great ski season. I started XC skiing 4 years ago and I have loved every minute of it. After participating in a couple roller ski clinics with CXC, I decided to join CXC online and started the Peak Performance Program in November. I have no doubt that the training program you provided allowed me to reach and exceed my skiing goals - in particular to make the 1st Wave at the Birkie."
TODD BROWN - Groton, CT
"I appreciate the periodization the program is offering both in the total training volume week to week/month to month but in particular the progression of the intensity sessions. Planning out intensity sessions that will progress you from spring to winter is challenging when you are doing it on your own. Much appreciated that CXC did this for me. So far, so good."
MICHAEL BUSS - Canmore, Canada
"While some find weekly workout structure to be the reason to join CXC Academy, I find the videos of dryland strength and mobility to be outstanding.
I'll see you in the park doing funny walks. Thanks."
CHRIS MAGERL - Salt Lake City, UT
"I manage a women's Nordic program that ranges from beginner to elite Birkie skiers and from the late 20's in age to almost 80 years old. I use the Academy information to get various training ideas, volume, intensities, strength information, etc. during dryland training in the fall as well as in the winter."
MUFFY RITZ, Two-Time American Birkebeiner Winner
Choose from our monthly, or annual memberships for full access to CXC Academy's training plans and resources. Visit our FAQs for common questions.
CXC Personal Coaching Program has a limited number of spots available. Send us a note to schedule a call, and let’s talk.
CXC Academy Training Period #8 Release
This is our last 4 weeks of the "fall" base-building period. We are likely still in shoulder season. Thus, ski specificity needs flexibility. Keep Reading
Training in November
CXC Academy and TrainingPeaks™
Enabling smart and effective endurance training through training plan integration with TrainingPeaks™.
Keep Reading
CXC Academy Training Period #7 Release
We begin shifting our emphasis from training volume to intensity in order to enhance our “race engine.”
Keep Reading
Training from mid-October to mid-November
CXC Academy Training Period #6 Release
Embrace the arrival of autumn and relish the vibrant colors of the season while maintaining your dedication to training.
Keep Reading
Training from mid-September to mid-October
CXC Academy Training Period #5 Release
We're looking at more Level 4 and ski-specific intensity. This is the time to do the hard work that will lead to better performances in the winter. Keep Reading
Training from mid-August to mid-September
CXC Academy Training Period #4 Release
We’re doing more intensity work that’s becoming more ski-specific — still keeping it into the threshold, with a little Level 4 introduction. Keep Reading
Training from mid-July to mid-August
CXC Academy Training Period #3 Release
We are transitioning from the foundational base period to a phase that combines increased volume and intensity. Keep Reading
Training in July
Training in June
CXC Academy Training Period #2 Release
We will work some ski specificity and intensity in, but just to work up to next month which will start a period of getting after it. Keep Reading
Training in May
CXC Academy Training Period #1 Release
Welcome to the 2024-2025 training year. In the cross-country ski world, we like to start the year with the week that contains May 1.
Keep Reading
CXC Academy Names Coaches & Mentors
Central Cross Country Skiing (CXC) has announced a lineup of new and returning coaches for its CXC Academy program.Keep Reading
Renae Anderson
Guest Coach & Mentor
CXC Academy welcomes Renae Anderson, a full-time professional skier with APU in Anchorage, Alaska, to its panel of guest coaches and mentors.
My name is Renae Anderson and I’m a skier from Golden Valley, Minnesota. I grew up racing with Loppet Nordic Racing and Hopkins High School, then skied for Bowdoin College in Maine. I competed for Team Birkie after graduation, and now compete for APU in Anchorage, Alaska.
"Skiing has been one of the most meaningful journeys in my life thus far, and I am always excited to help more people get involved and to share the joy. I’m looking forward to being a part of CXC Academy!"
- Renae Anderson
P.S. Feel free to join Renae on her skiing adventure by following along with her personal blog.
Jake Stiele
Guest Coach & Advisor
CXC Academy welcomes Jake Stiele, CXC Regional Development manager and Marathon Team coach with Team Birkie, to its panel of guest coaches and mentors.
Jake will provide training guidance through training plans, monthly video sessions addressing member inquiries, and instructional videos focusing on various aspects of sport-specific training such as race strategies, equipment selection, and technique refinement.
"Cross Country ski training and racing can be very fun and very challenging. As a guest coach with CXC Academy, it is my hope to deliver effective training, help you develop your skiing technique, and prepare you all for some high quality racing this coming winter!"
- Jake Stiele
“I've had a tremendous year of training, with a PR Birkie, and age group award at the Great Bear Chase, and a lot of enjoyable hours being active outside, all despite a few injuries and other setbacks.”
JAKE MCGINNIS - South Bend, IN