A chance to train on an actual snowboardcross course is rare, but four-time X Games gold medalist Nate Holland (Squaw Valley, CA), along with the U.S. Snowboarding snowboardcross crew and some ski cross athletes are taking advantage of an opportunity to ride competition terrain in Telluride, and are taking all the time they can get on the rollers, turns and jumps before the season gets going. Read on for what Nate has to say about training in Telluride.

So what's it like for you to be training in Telluride?

I'm totally stoked to be here. They've got great snow here and the course that they've built is two sections with two separate start gates. So, every run we get two separate courses and two separate starts. It's pretty cool to be back on snow with all the guys.

You're training with ski cross athletes as well. Is that new?

This is our first integrated camp with the ski cross athletes. It's cool to see those guys out and about. We get to see what they're doing and what tricks they have up their sleeve. We're asking them questions and they're asking us questions to become better riders all around.

Do you think the things you and the ski cross athletes learn from each other can help improve the way you ride?

Yes, absolutely. It's a way to think outside the box in our sport. To ask them questions and to get their feedback and their take on things helps us to think about what we're doing and how we're training just a little bit differently. And vice versa. To apply it to our training is definitely helpful.

What are you working on while you are in Telluride?

Personally, I'm breaking in my legs and getting them used to riding for the season. And, just being able to be on a course allows my mind to get into race mode and to look at the course and where fast lines are and what I can do to make a feature faster. In addition to that, I'm doing some equipment testing. I'm fine tuning everything.

Are you testing the equipment on the bunny hill with all the kids?

Yeah, I'm kinda pushing them all down and showing them who's the boss on the bunny hill. I don't mess with anyone who's older than seven.

Did you put in a lot of gym time before heading to train in Telluride?

I have. I think I'll get in the groove a lot faster from being in the gym this summer. I'll be able to knock the rust off a little quicker than I have in the past. Traditionally my best results have come middle to late season, so I'm hoping that I'll get in the groove of racing earlier and be strong early.

So, what else have you done in Telluride?

We've done some freeriding, but they're about to open up a bunch of new stuff. The mountain here is great. The managers came out and saw us today. Telluride is totally rolling out the red carpet for us as far as space for our courses, trying to get us into closed areas for freeriding, and everything. It's the beginning of a good relationship and I think we could easily find an early-season home here.