AI cross-country ski coach: from summer roller-ski base to race-day peak
Ski marathons are built in summer: base missed on roller skis and in running cannot be recovered in February. SkolCoach guides the whole year, from summer volume to autumn specificity and the winter race peak, while preventing a classic skiing mistake: too much time in the grey zone.
An annual cycle, not just a winter plan
Ski-marathon preparation starts in May. Summer emphasises aerobic volume through running and roller skiing; autumn adds specific strength and ski imitation; winter brings snow work and a race-day peak. SkolCoach plans the complete macrocycle and moves training between modalities without losing continuity.
Heart-rate discipline
- Easy sessions stay genuinely easy — your coach detects cardiac drift on long sessions and brings intensity back into range.
- Intervals hit their intended target — threshold work is controlled through heart rate, pace and repetition-by-repetition analysis.
- HRV and sleep every morning — after illness or poor sleep, the plan is adjusted rather than made up later.
- Your complete watch history — running, roller skiing and snow sessions from Garmin, COROS, Suunto and Polar through intervals.icu.
Peaking for your race
Whether you are targeting the Moscow Ski Marathon, Ski Track of Russia or a local event, the plan builds towards a specific date: the final large-volume block three weeks out, followed by a reduction that preserves intensity. Pace predictions and race pacing use your actual training on snow.
FAQ
What if I run in summer but do not own roller skis?
That works. Running provides a substantial aerobic base for skiing. Your coach replaces roller-ski sessions with volume-focused running and adds specific upper-body strength. If you get roller skis later, part of the load moves across to them.
How long does ski-marathon preparation take?
It depends on your base. With a year of training history, one season can be enough: 6–9 hours per week in summer and 8–12 in autumn and winter. Your coach starts from actual data rather than a generic 50K-in-12-weeks template.
How is this different from a plan found online?
An online plan does not know you slept badly or that your heart rate drifted 15 bpm above the intended zone during a long session. SkolCoach sees this every morning and after every workout, then adjusts the load and explains why.
Skate or classic technique?
The plan is built around your event and preferred technique. Heart rate and volume control apply to both, while specific strength and technical emphases differ and are reflected in the sessions.
See how it works with your own data
Connect your watch and sensors — SkolCoach will import your history, assess your current fitness and map out the next steps. Get 30 days of Pro free — no card required.
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