Cross-Country Ski Training, Uncrunched.
Skiers or ski coaches, new to advanced. CXC Academy can help you improve skiing fitness, develop better ski technique, and get ready for the next ski event.
Training Plans for Everyone
Easy-to-follow workouts and TrainingPeaks™ integration provide for an easy progression towards goals.
Learn More
Video Library
Featuring monthly ski-specific strength workout videos, on-snow and roller ski technique videos, with new offerings published each month.
The CXC Coaching Staff is certified, experienced, and ready to guide skiers of all ages and skill levels.
Meet the Coaches
CXC Academy is a project of Central Cross Country Skiing (CXC)
718 Post Road
Madison, WI 53713
USA
Brian Gregg
Volunteer Mentor & Motivator
CXC Academy will host live video briefings to help skiers make sense of the month’s training and ideas every month.
Join this year’s CXC Academy volunteer mentor and motivator Brian Gregg for special subscriber-only live editions. Brian will be answering questions submitted by you and sharing a few tips of his own.
"As a professional skier for 12 years, my top focus was my athletic performance, then my family, then my work. Now my top priority is my family, my work, then my skiing. That being said, I love to race the fastest version of myself on any given day. I believe in preparing well and systematically, which requires strong planning and time management. I enjoy the pursuit of excellence and being creative to reach one's goals."
- Brian Gregg
Matt Clarke
Guest Coach & Advisor
CXC Academy has named Matthew Clarke, Team Birkie Assistant Coach, to its team of guest coaches and advisors.
Matt will offer training advice through training plans, monthly Zoom calls, and videos covering sport-specific training tips like race tactics and preparedness, ski selection, and technique.
"I think it is very important that we make sure training stays fun and doesn’t begin to seem like another job we must complete. My goal is to make this coming year a time when you can think of your training differently than you have before."
- Matt Clarke
CXC Academy coaches, mentors, and advisors are certified, experienced, and ready to guide skiers of all ages and skill levels. Learn More
“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
“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
“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
Membership Plans
We offer monthly and annual subscriptions. Sign up for full access to CXC Academy’s training plans and video resources.
Hands On
Get the latest in sport science testing at our Performance Lab.
CXC Center Of Excellence
718 Post Rd
Madison (WI)
Improve Technique
We work with people just beginning to ski, seasoned skiers looking to improve, and all levels in between.
Expert Coaching
Now offering training services to the average skier, weekend warrior racer or someone who is chasing their dream to move up a wave in the Birkie.
We’re happy to brainstorm with you, and ask the professionals we work with to find something that works for you. Send us your questions.
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 June
CXC Academy and TrainingPeaks™
Enabling smart and effective endurance training through training plan integration with TrainingPeaks™.
Keep Reading
CXC Academy Training Period #1 Release
Welcome to the 2023-2024 training year. In the cross-country ski world, we like to start the year with the week that contains May 1.
Keep Reading
Training in May
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
Brian Gregg
Volunteer Mentor & Motivator
CXC Academy will host live video briefings to help skiers make sense of the month’s training and ideas every month.
Join this year’s CXC Academy volunteer mentor and motivator Brian Gregg for special subscriber-only live editions. Brian will be answering questions submitted by you and sharing a few tips of his own.
Do you have a question to share? Let us know what you’ve been up to! Submit it here, and it may become a part of the program.
Matt Clarke
Guest Coach & Advisor
CXC Academy has named Matthew Clarke, Team Birkie Assistant Coach, to its team of guest coaches and advisors.
Matt will offer training advice through training plans, monthly Zoom calls, and videos covering sport-specific training tips like race tactics and preparedness, ski selection, and technique.
It’s your chance to connect, ask questions, and meet the team behind CXC Academy, face-to-face for events that will inform, inspire, and entertain in equal measure!
“This program is great! Not just for skiing, but for life. My results have brought me to unexpected levels.”
DAVID KERR - Whitehorse, Canada