All ages and abilities welcome to join in aerobic, strength, and fitness games

The SVSEF XC Gold Team (Gold Team), Sun Valley’s professional cross-country ski team, is excited to announce a unique opportunity to up your fitness and workout with them this summer. Dubbed the Gold Team Community Workout, the weekly session will be open to the community at large with a mix of aerobic, core strength training, and games. Everyone is invited to start their week off on Monday evenings from June 16 through August 4 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Sun Valley Community School’s Dumke Family Sagewillow Campus—Upper Field. Sagewillow is located at 1 Arrowleaf Road in Sun Valley. The Gold Team Community Workout is free and open to all ages and abilities—all you’ll need is a pair of shoes to run or hike in. No registration is required—just show up on time and ready to have a great workout!

Founded in 2005 by Rick Kapala and current U.S. Cross Country Ski Team Program Director Chris Grover, the Gold Team has established itself as one of the preeminent professional cross-country ski teams in the United States. At its inception, the team was founded to prepare athletes for the then upcoming 2006 Turin Olympic Games, and now heading into the 2025/26 season 20 years later, the Gold Team is once again preparing athletes to represent both community and country in Italy at the highest level of sport. 

“We’re celebrating a really exciting full circle moment here,” said SVSEF Cross Country Program Director Becky Flynn. “Twentieth anniversary, 20 years since the last Olympic Games in Italy where Gold Team member Chris Cook competed, and we’re here once again getting athletes ready to go for gold on behalf of Team USA—this time in Milano Cortina 2026.”

Over the past two decades, the Gold Team has built a legacy through relentless hard work, passion, and a deep commitment to excellence—qualities that continue to drive us every day. 

“You might have seen us out on the bike path doing intervals or on the trails for long mountain runs,” said Jake Adicoff, SVSEF XC Gold Team athlete, 4-Time Paralympic Medalist, and current Para-Cross Country World Champion. “We’ve had the opportunity and privilege to hone our craft through thousands of sessions, and with the Gold Team Community Workout we’re excited to share our process with the community. Whether you’re a seasoned skier or just looking to get moving, we invite you to join us for a simple afternoon workout of running, core strength, and games—always a favorite at SVSEF.” 

The 2025/26 Gold Team Roster welcomes seven elite athletes, including three current members of Team USA—Jake Adicoff, John Steel Hagenbuch, and Sammy Smith. Peter Wolter, Will Koch, Elijah Weenig, and Mia Case round out the team. SVSEF Alumni Adicoff, Hagenbuch, Smith, and Wolter grew up skiing with the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation. Weenig spent time with SVSEF as a post-grad athlete. This season will be Mia Case’s second year with the Gold Team and Will Koch, son of Olympian Bill Koch, is new to the squad.

“I’m super excited to bring the community into our training this summer as we prepare for the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Milano Cortina,” said Peter Holmes, SVSEF XC Gold Team Head Coach. “We can’t wait to get to know everyone, swap stories, and get some really fun afternoon training sessions in!”

Thank you to Sun Valley Community School for sharing this wonderful place to train!