Full Athlete Development – Join The Academy
Developing, Supporting & Coaching future Olympians and World-class Racers.
Over 100 athletes have passed through our doors as well as many great coaches, volunteers, wax staff and countless other contributors. Every person has helped shape who we are and what we do. Every year we make changes that we feel represent our athletes’ needs, our community, and to no small part our financial landscape.
Full-time, Year-round High Performance Coaches
World-Class Facilities
On Snow October – April
Roller Ski Treadmill
Extensive Roller Ski Tracks
High Altitude Training
Summer Training Program
We offer year-round programming as well as summer programming for athletes training individually or with other clubs / training centres.
Application Deadline for full program: March 31, 2026 | Application Deadline for Summer program: April 15, 2026
Academy Selection Criteria
Many factors play a role when considering all applications for the Academy training programs.
The application process is fairly competitive, with over 20-30 applications annually.
Decisions are based on Nordiq Canada and Nordiq Alberta guidelines and our mission and vision.
CRITERIA:
(This is not an exhaustive list of factors we would consider, but this is where we place priority. If applicants have race results outside this list, internationally or domestically that are of note, they should be included in the application.)
All Academy athletes will have to re-apply for a team spot every two years. This will allow athletes to focus on their development and personal goals, but also keeps the program competitive to allow the team as a whole to train with other athletes whose goals are very much aligned.
Option 1
Full Athlete Program – Canmore based
Weekly programming, designed for athletes pursuing athletic excellence.
Program Length: 11 months, May 2026 – March 2027.
Coaches: Tormod Vatten / Robin McKeever
Team Fees:
Returning athletes: $5,500 + GST
New Athletes $6,000 + GST
*A portion of NST athletes’ fees are funded by Nordiq Canada.
INCLUDED:
- Annual Individual Training Plan including group and individual sessions
4 – 6 team sessions weekly plus individual sessions - Year-Round Program:
2026 Local Training + Camp Program
2026-27 Competition Program – individually designed based on goals and objectives - Ski fleet testing
- Daily monitoring using up to date technology
- Discounted Lululemon summer training clothes
- Discounted Team Uniform (Swix – Race Suits, Team Jackets, Pants)
- Sauce team headwear
EXCLUDED:
- Camp and competition costs (Travel, Accommodation, Food, Shared Cost of Staff Travel)
- NC/FIS race licence, race registrations, race wax, trail passes
- Gym membership – Strength planning is done on an individual basis
- CSI consulting costs for physiological tests, nutrition, psychology, etc.
- Personal Equipment – we can help source equipment at team pricing
Do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions: ngilman@albertaworldcup.com
Option 2
TRAIN & STUDY PROGRAM – Calgary based
University of Calgary campus
Weekly programming designed for U20 and U23 athletes pursuing athletic and academic excellence.
Program Length: 11 months, May 2026 – March 2027.
Coach: Nikki Gilman / Robin McKeever
Team Fees:
Returning Athletes: $5,500 + GST
New Athletes $6,000 + GST
Add-on: Transportation Fee (Calgary – Canmore return) $1,000 + GST
*A portion of NST athletes’ fees are funded by Nordiq Canada.
INCLUDED: (in addition to Option 1)
- Weekly training schedule designed around school schedules (see below).
- 4 – 6 team sessions per week plus individual sessions:
2 – 4 sessions in Calgary | 1-2 sessions in Canmore - Early access to University of Calgary class registration
- Administrative help navigating enrolment, classes and exam schedules
- Team van transportation for local training can be obtained as an add-on, see fees above
- Use of xc rollers treadmill, located on campus at University of Calgary.
EXCLUDED:
- Camp and competition costs (travel, accommodation, food, shared cost of staff travel)
- NC/FIS race licence, race registrations, race wax, trail passes
- Gym membership – Strength planning is done on an individual basis
- CSI consulting costs for physiological tests, nutrition, psychology, etc.
- Personal Equipment – we can help source equipment at team pricing
SUMMER TRAINING:
Our summer program runs from May 15 – August 31, 2026, and includes participation in all team sessions.
Fees: Returning Athletes – $ 1,500 + GST | New Athletes – $1,800 + GST.
Deadline to apply: April 15, 2026
Coaching and Consultants
NIKKI GILMAN – PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Nikki will be leading all athlete program for the 2025- 26 season. About to embark on her third year with the Academy, Nikki brings a tremendous enthusiasm for athlete development to go along with her wealth of experience.
Hometown: Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin, USA
Years with the Academy: 4th year
Education: BS in Exercise Physiology and BA in Philosophy from The College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN.
Coaching Background:Bogus Basin Nordic Team (Boise, ID) Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (Sun Valley, ID) Kimberley Nordic Club (Kimberley, BC).
TORMOD VATTEN – HIGH PERFORMANCE COACH
Grew up in Surnadal, Norway
Years with the Academy: 5th year
Education: BS in Exercise Physiology and MSc in Sports Pedagogy specializing in Cross Country Skiing, PE from Norwegian School of Sports Science.
Coaching Background: 14 years of coaching, with 7 years full-time, in Kjelsås IL, Oslo, Iceland, and Alberta.
Coaching Achievements:
– Coached during 5 Junior World Championships
– Eleven athletes in Top 10 Results at World and World Junior Championships
ROBIN MCKEEVER – HIGH PERFORMANCE COACH
Grew up in Canmore, AB
Years with the Academy: 2nd year
Coaching Background: ChPC 17 years, National Team coach PLY & OLY 4 years, Head coach Foothills Nordic Ski Club
Awards:
– Canadian Governor General, Meritorious Service Medal (Civil) 2016
– 2 x Tim Frick Canadian Coach of the YEar Award (2018, 2022)
– Inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame
Tim Wintoniw – Head Wax Tech
Originally hailing from Manitoba, and one of the co-founders of Downtown Nordic, Tim has been a wax tech with AWCA since 2013. Currently living in Kimberley, British Columbia, Tim has done waxing tours with Biathlon Canada as well as Nordiq Canada. Most recently Tim was one of the commentators for the 2023 FIS Jr and U23 World Championships.
Ian Duffern – Support Wax Tech
Ian Daffern is the head ski technician for the Canadian Para-nordic team. He has been to five Paralympic Games with the team starting in Salt Lake City and continuing all the way to the Winter Paralympics this past March in PyeongChang. He oversaw the skis for the 14 athletes who won a record 16 medals including 4 gold medals in cross country skiing but more importantly 1 in biathlon! Ian is helping out the academy team, coaches and techs whenever he can!
Josh Lohka – Assistant Coach and Wax Tech
Coming from Foothill Nordic, Josh is supporting our Calgary team as a driver, and assistant coach. But he can also be found in the wax room during all of our races, supporting Tim and Ian.
University of Calgary Sports Medicine Centre
We continue to partner with the University of Calgary Sports Medecine Centre. Athletes attending our program and attending the University of Calgary are provided with timely services when medical concerns arise.
Canadian Sport Institute (CSI) Calgary
As a national team development centre, we are partnered with the CSI in Calgary to help us deliver support via the most up to date sport science in Canada and the world. All our testing is conducted by the CSI as well as most of our IST services: psychology, nutrition, physiotherapy, osteopathy, sport medicine. These services can be coordinated by Chris Jeffries on a cost recovery basis.
Judy and Mike Mappin – Canmore Nordic Sport Services
Judy and Mike have been working on and off with the team in the ski service side since the early days of the Academy. Both are equally passionate about their own training and racing pursuits as they are about fast skis. With the help of The Grinders in Canmore, Judy and Mike have had a big impact on our team with ski identification and selection, as they help our skiers manage their ski fleets. This is tireless work that begins in the spring and continues through the early winter season as they help our team make sense of this complex and always changing technical area.
Do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions: ngilman@albertaworldcup.com or academy@albertaworldcup.com
Partners
Sponsors
Supporters
