Taking that gold medal plunge

WHEN Bruce Norman took his first luge “slide” at Lake Placid, N.Y., two years ago, he was exhilarated.

“You’re 4 inches off the ice, going downhill 50 mph with no brakes,” said Norman, of Burnt Hills, N.Y.

Although the 48-year-old said he’s been moderately athletic all his life, he’s no Olympian. But for $65 to $2,000, anybody can live the life of one. Former Olympic sites in Lake Placid and Park City, Utah, host introductory clinics and fantasy camps for bobsled, skeleton, luge, freestyle skiing and ski jumping. Some rinks host ice-hockey and figure-skating clinics, in which even beginners can be coached by Steve Jensen, ex-Olympian and NHL player, or Oksana Baiul, the 1994 Olympic gold-medal figure skater.

At the Utah Olympic Park skeleton camp, you’ll start from the top of the mile-long track, dropping head first from the equivalent of a 40-story building at 75 to 80 mph, your stomach flat on a skeleton tray, your chin just inches off the ice.

“People have no idea what they’re getting into,” said Robbie Lyon, a U.S. skeleton coach. “It feels like the biggest run of adrenaline -- something you can’t explain till you do it.”

Although you don’t have to be in top shape to attend, the camps often require a signed note from a doctor certifying that you’re fit enough to participate.

The camps are gaining in popularity; the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation has doubled the number of its Lake Placid fantasy camps this winter. And even though participants pay $2,000 each, the luge or bobsled camps usually sell out.

The camps are open to teens through seniors, but most campers are 30 to 55 years old -- those who can afford it and “really want that experience,” said Steve Peters, the federation’s Eastern programs manager.

For most camps, a participant gets training from Olympic coaches and athletes, as well as ice time, equipment and clothing use, and a video of his or her performance. The luge, bobsled and skeleton campers also may get a tax deduction because a part of their fees are used to fund nonprofit training programs.

Lodgings vary, from a kids’ summer camp cabin to a hotel. At Heartland Hockey in Deerwood, Minn., campers sleep in dorm rooms.

Some upcoming Olympic sport camps:

* Luge: USA Luge; (800) USA-LUGE (872-5843), www.usaluge.org. Friday-Jan. 23 in Park City. March 11-13 in Lake Placid. Both cost $2,000, including meals, lodging.

* Bobsled and skeleton: U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, www.usbsf.com, at Utah Olympic Park, (435) 658-4208, www.olympark.com. Camps March 8-11. Skeleton camp is $750. Bobsled camp is sold out. Lodging, meals extra. At Lake Placid, skeleton camp is March 16-19. Bobsled camp is March 23-26. Cost $2,000 each. Includes lodging, meals, instruction, equipment and gear.

* Figure skating: Ice House, Hackensack, N.J.; (201) 487-8444, www.icehousenj.com. June 23-25. Costs $250-$270, including meals; lodging extra.

* Hockey: Heartland Hockey; (800) 945-7465, www.heartlandhockey.com. April 7-9 in Fort Myers, Fla. Costs $300 (lodging, meals extra). Aug. 13-19 and 20-26 in Deerwood. Costs $900, including lodging, meals.

* Ski jumping: FLY Freestyle, Park City; (435) 658-2359, www.flyfreestyle.com. Half-day clinics at Utah Olympic Park; $65 (includes equipment in summer; bring your own in winter).