A Note to Our Alberta Ski Community

As we head into another season, I’ve found myself awake in the quiet early hours, with just the stillness of the world and my thoughts. Lately, those thoughts have been focused on gratitude and the people who make this sport what it is. Before winter gets fully underway, I wanted to take a moment to say thank you.

There is a lot happening across Alberta right now. Athletes are getting ready to return to snow, coaches are putting plans together, clubs are preparing programs, and families are figuring out how skiing will fit alongside school, work, and everything else. Resorts are making snow, volunteers are stepping forward, and race organizers are working through the details that most people will never see.

Having spent a lot of years in this sport, I know how much work goes into creating a good day on the hill. I also know that much of it happens quietly, long before an athlete pushes out of the start gate.

To our coaches, thank you for the early mornings, the long hours in rough conditions, and the care you put into helping athletes grow. You carry a lot of responsibility, and your influence reaches well beyond the finish line. The way you listen, challenge, encourage, and show up matters.

To our volunteers, officials, club leaders, and resort partners, thank you for making those opportunities possible. Whether you’re organizing a race, preparing a training lane, standing on a gate, or sorting out something in the race office, you are giving athletes a chance to do something they love. We couldn’t do this without you.

To our parents and families, thank you for everything that happens around the skiing. The driving, the scheduling, the expense, the encouragement, and the patience. You’re often the first person an athlete turns to after a great day or a difficult one. That support matters more than you probably hear.

And to our athletes, thank you for the effort and enthusiasm you bring. I know how much you put into this and how badly you want to improve. There will be days this winter when things come together and days when the result doesn’t reflect the work. Keep asking questions, lean on the people around you, and give yourself time to learn. Look after your teammates and make room to enjoy being out in these beautiful mountains.

This past season also reminded us how deeply connected our ski community is. Through loss and difficult days, people showed up for one another. That care needs to remain part of how we move forward. Check in with each other, make time for a conversation, and remember that nobody should feel they have to carry the hard stuff alone.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to keep working alongside this community. We have plenty to work on, and I’m looking forward to listening, learning, and helping create opportunities for athletes and coaches across the province. I care deeply about where we’re going, and I know the best progress will come from working together. 

We’re fortunate to share this sport and these mountains. Somewhere this winter, a young skier will run their first course, a new coach will find their feet, and an athlete will discover they’re capable of more than they thought. A whole community will have helped make those moments happen, and you are part of that community!

Thank you for being part of it. I’m looking forward to seeing familiar faces, meeting new ones, and spending some time on the hill together.

Here’s to a great season.

Josh Benge
Vice President, Sport