Training

Training Overview

Biathlon is a sport of two very contradicting disciplines, cross country skiing and rifle marksmanship, so training for both components is most definitely an athletic challenge and yet the most rewarding part of being a biathlete.

The one element that makes training in the sport of biathlon interesting is a variety of physical exercises and methods used throughout the year.  In order to build body’s balance and agility along with laying a foundation for specific skill development down the road we engage in a myriad of different activities, some of which include:

  • Running, trail running, running with poles (imitation, striding)
  • Mountain and road biking
  • Indoor climbing
  • Strength training in the gym and outdoors (Ercolina, stairs, playgrounds, natural obstacles)
  • Swimming (in the pool and the lakes/oceans)
  • Hiking (day hikes and multi-day trips in the backcountry)
  • Kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing
  • Roller skiing, cross country skiing
  • Ice skating
  • Games (Ultimate Frisbee, soccer, ball hockey, basketball, beach and indoor volleyball, football, and also a huge variety of training, athletic and fun/recovery games from Russia and the Ukraine)
  • Shooting .22 cal biathlon rifles

All CBR groups train 11 months out of the year, anywhere from 3 to 6 days a week. Junior and Senior groups also attend monthly training camps (3-5 days long) during dryland season (May-October), while 3P group athletes follow a year round training camp schedule.

Training Locations

We are very fortunate to benefit from the Calgary 88 Olympics legacy of excellent training facilities in the Bow Valley Area.  In the winter months, Canmore Nordic Centre is our training base for at least two to three practices per week where we work on shooting and skiing.  Canmore is home to the Canadian National Biathlon team and will host a World Cup biathlon event in 2019. Occasionally, we make trips to train at the Mt Shark Biathlon range in Kananaskis Country.  When there is no snow on the ground we can be found training in various locations around the Bow Valley corridor, including but not limited to the following:

  • Banff National Park,
  • Kananaskis Provincial Park
  • Lake Louise
  • Edworthy Park in Calgary
  • Bragg Creek
  • U of C Olympic Oval, running track
  • Bob Niven Training Center and WinSport gyms, the Spray Lakes Recreation Centre in Cochrane
  • Cochrane Ranch Park and Glenbow Park in Cochrane