Training Secrets from a Pro Coach

Want to have more fun on the skintrack, ski longer with less fatigue and improve your year-round endurance to truly play in the mountains? As a pro cycling coach and racer, I’ve found that the secret to a bigger engine doesn’t just lie on the bike; it’s also in uphill ski touring. I'll show you how to apply the science of endurance training to master the mountains. Whether you're a seasoned racer or a recreational uphill enthusiast, my goal is simple: to help you build fitness, improve efficiency, and maximize your mountain experience.

This series will decode the science of endurance training and show you exactly how it applies to ski touring. I'll share the science backed coaching methodologies I utilize with my athletes to help you build a stronger, more resilient engine to help you travel further and faster this winter. 

We'll cover core topics like:

• Preseason Prep: Building a powerful aerobic base before getting on the slopes

• Recovery and Adaptation: The essential steps and alternative strategies to absorbing your training and avoiding burnout

• Lessons from the Elite: Applying insights from Olympic skimo to your own training plan.

My name is Elliott Baring, and I’m a professional cycling coach and racer. I've spent nearly a decade coaching athletes through my business, Baring Performance Management. Athletically, I’ve raced competitively for over 15 years, including 10 years at the pro/elite level and won several age group national championships along the way. 

While I grew up in the South, I’ve been skiing recreationally for about seven years. After moving to Colorado last fall, I immersed myself in the sport, completing my first true skimo racing season. I jumped into several Rocky Mountain Skimo races, including the iconic Power of Four, and was immediately hooked. The sport challenged me in profound ways as both a coach and an athlete, giving me a chance to experiment with fresh training approaches.

For many of my athletes, particularly those in snowy climates, we integrate uphill ski touring into their training. It’s one of the most effective cross-training tools available for endurance athletes looking to build strength, maximize aerobic fitness and keep things diverse in the winter.

I’m thrilled to partner with Hagan Ski Mountaineering to bring this series to you, sharing insights that bridge the worlds of high-performance training, adventure and the unique culture of uphill skiing.