Application and Requirements

Can I race both Cross Country and Biathlon?

Pepa and Raleigh will work with you to set out a season plan that helps you progress your speed and skills. This plan will consider selection for IBU racing, the cross country and biathlon calendar, and your unique development priorities.

What if I have no biathlon experience, but want to try it out?

We encourage all Snow athletes to give biathlon a try and keep an open mind about what sport offers them the best opportunities for success and development.

Off-campus option

Since May 2022, we have offered an off-campus option in addition to the on-campus program that we have offered since the start of GRP back in 2009. Our goal is to offer more flexibility for athletes who may have (or hope to find) a regular job that they can work from the Craftsbury area alongside their training. The off-campus option is not encouraged for first-year athletes.

Off-campus athletes will be responsible for finding and paying for their own housing and food. They may purchase meals at the Center if they wish. They will be expected to fulfill the basic COC Community Work Hours, but no additional work. Off-Campus athletes are expected to be present at team training and meet the same expectations as residential athletes: be a part of the team, Center and greater Craftsbury community.

On-campus athletes live on campus, eat on campus and have jobs and projects on campus to fulfill their work expectation above the basic Community Work Hours.

For on-campus athletes, Craftsbury will be providing housing, meals (when the dining hall is open - about 10 months of the year), part-time work and access to health insurance. Both on- and off-campus athletes will be provided coaching, and race support.

What is the expected housing arrangement?

Housing is provided for the on-campus team in several large farmhouses at the edge of the Craftsbury trail network. It's a 1 to 4 mile jog/bike/ski to the Center depending on which house you’re in. Off-campus athletes are responsible for finding and paying for their own housing and food (purchasing Center meals is an option).  

Who is the target audience for this program?

The Craftsbury GRP program is designed primarily to fill the gap that exists after collegiate skiing and to serve as a bridge from collegiate racing to national and international level competition. Most skiers and biathletes won't reach their peak performance levels until their mid to late 20's, yet it can be hard to graduate from college and tell your parents that you're "just going to train" for the next few years. This program works to provide athletes with a long-term training situation that also allows them to develop and use other skills, specifically those related to the mission of the Craftsbury Outdoor Center, on a part-time basis.

What is the time commitment for this program?

One does not become a faster skier or biathlete overnight. It's generally a multi-year proposition and thus requires a long-term commitment, with periodic review to be sure goals remain reasonable and measurable progress is being made. This program asks for a minimum one-year commitment, generally at least two years - with regular coach-athlete review to agree on goals and monitor progress toward them.

Is there a prerequisite in terms of training?

It is expected that applicants will have been training at a serious level on a regular basis. As part of the application process, you will be asked to submit your training log for the past two years. The GRP program coaches will also want to talk with your most recent coach(es) to get a sense of your level of training, as well as to prepare for as smooth a transition as possible to the new training program.

Will GRP Athletes be paid for the part-time work, or is it an unpaid expectation of the program?

All GRP program participants will be expected to do a certain amount of work for the Center - more if you live and eat on campus. With prior approval, community service may also count toward some of the GRP work expectation such as offering ski clinics for local kids, coaching local sports teams, tutoring students, or volunteering for other nonprofits. 

There will be the possibility of working additional hours for take-home pay either at the Center, or at area businesses, as time allows.  

The Center will also cover health insurance, after the initial two months for on-campus athletes.

Is there any social life in Craftsbury?

Ok, this is probably the most important question! There are some excellent restaurants in Craftsbury, Hardwick, West Glover, Morrisville and Stowe. The Outdoor Center itself is far from dead, with a steady stream of guests, campers and coaches of all ages coming through. The Green Racing Project's Rowing team includes around 15 oarsmen and women, so there's a good bunch of fellow athletes with whom you'll share work and fun. For days off further afield, there's Burlington or Hanover, both about 90 minutes away or Montreal, 2 hours away.

What will the Center-provided work opportunities be?

Our goal is to provide every athlete with one or more regular jobs at the Center or in the community. Ideally, we will find jobs that match an athlete’s interests and career goals, while also supporting the mission of the Center. Certain projects and tasks are ongoing; other new projects may be determined through a joint brainstorming and prioritization process that gives skiers the chance to suggest and design projects that align with the Center's mission. Here are some examples from the past years:

• Various projects related to helping Craftsbury become more sustainable. These include analysis of current heating/power systems, improved management of property, production of local food on property

• Management of the team itself: uniform design and acquisition, press releases, blogging for interested media, travel planning, work with sponsors

• Projects supporting the broader Craftsbury ski/biathlon program in general: helping coach juniors, helping run training camps, helping organize events, improving trails to ensure early skiing, etc.

What approach will be taken to ensure as smooth a transition as possible from my current program and coach?

Transitions are always challenging. This program will use all of the following approaches to try to make the transition as smooth as possible for athletes:

1. Communication: Head Coaches Pepa Miloucheva and Raleigh Goessling will want to discuss each athlete with her/his previous coach or coaches. She will also want to maintain communication as needed when questions or problems arise.

2. Physiological testing: Craftsbury has VO₂ testing equipment on site, as well as lactate testing equipment. Pepa also uses other testing methods as well, such as timed runs and strength tests. All of this data helps her assess each individual athlete's needs and current state.

3. Individualized approach: The program's and Pepa's philosophy is that different athletes have different needs. The exact same training program will most likely not be optimal for all the athletes in the program. Therefore, training schedules will be tailored to each individual athlete as is necessary.

4. Raleigh will work with you and your former program to identify aspects of your shooting and complex biathlon process that offer the greatest opportunity for improvement. From there you and Raleigh will work together to build your biathlon ability.

What does Craftsbury offer in terms of training facilities and opportunities?

Craftsbury offers an extensive trail network for skiing, as well as trail running, bounding and mountain biking in the summer. There are also many dirt roads, which make for great long runs or rides. Mountains aren't far away for more vertical challenges: Jay Peak, Mt. Mansfield and others. In addition to the Center’s rollerski loop, there are quite a few options for rollerskiing as well, all within a 10-30 min drive of the Center. A track in Morrisville is used for timed runs. 

The Center’s biathlon range is equipped with 15 points right on the rollerloop. Our lodge & fitness facility features a well-equipped strength training room, as well as multiple Concept2 SkiErgs, Indoor Rowers, and BikeErgs. Sculling on the water is offered for its excellent cross-training, along with kayaking, canoeing and swimming.