Every successful ski race starts long before the first athlete leaves the start gate.

Behind the scenes, dedicated officials and volunteers work together to ensure that competitions are safe, fair, organized and enjoyable for everyone involved. From our youngest Nancy Greene racers to athletes competing at national and international events, officials play an essential role in making ski racing possible across Alberta.

As we prepare for another exciting winter, Alberta Alpine is encouraging parents, volunteers, coaches and ski racing enthusiasts to get involved in officiating or take the next step in their education.

You don’t need to be a former racer or an expert in ski racing to become an official. All you need is an interest in the sport, a willingness to learn and a desire to contribute to your ski community.

Why Become an Official?

Officials are the backbone of alpine ski racing. Whether helping in the start area, working as a gate judge, assisting with timing or eventually taking on a leadership role within a Race Organizing Committee (ROC), every official contributes to a positive competition experience for athletes.

Becoming an official is a great way to:

• Give back to your local ski club and support young athletes.
• Better understand the rules and organization of ski racing.
• Develop new skills and build relationships within Alberta’s ski community.
• Take on increasingly challenging roles at provincial, national and international competitions.
• Help ensure that ski racing remains safe, fair and accessible for future generations.

With more than 120 event days delivered across Alberta last season, our sport depends on a strong and growing network of trained officials and volunteers.

How Do You Become an Official?

The Alpine Canada Alpin (ACA) Officials Education Program provides a progressive pathway, allowing individuals to develop their knowledge and experience over time.

Level 1 – Your Starting Point

Level 1 courses are organized and delivered in-house by individual ski clubs.

This is the perfect starting point for parents, new volunteers and anyone interested in learning more about how ski races operate. The course introduces participants to the basic rules, race organization, safety considerations and responsibilities of officials.

It provides the foundation needed to begin volunteering in a variety of roles at club and provincial events. If you’re interested in becoming an official, contact your local Alberta Alpine ski club to ask about its upcoming Level 1 course. No previous officiating experience is required.

Level 2 – Building Your Knowledge

Level 2 takes officials beyond the basics and introduces a more detailed understanding of the rules and procedures governing alpine ski racing. Participants learn how to navigate the International Competition Rules (ICR), understand the responsibilities of senior race officials and apply rules to real competition situations.

The course prepares officials for greater responsibility within a Race Organizing Committee, including a variety of Chief Official positions.

Upcoming Alberta Level 2 Courses

• October 24, 2026 — Snow Valley Resort, Edmonton; online participation option listed.
• November 9–10, 2026 — 5:30–8:30 p.m. each evening, Eighth Avenue Place, Calgary; in-person attendance encouraged.

For registration details, course availability and schedule changes, please visit the Alberta Alpine Calendar.

The course concludes with a digital examination consisting of multiple-choice, true-or-false and short-answer questions. A passing grade of 70% is required.

Preparing for Your Level 2 Course

Participants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the rules and complete the preparation materials before attending.

• 2026 FIS International Competition Rules (ICR) — The primary reference for understanding the rules governing alpine competition.
• Level 2 Pre-Course Quiz — Complete this quiz before attending.
• Level 2 Homework, Workbook and Quizzes — Access the course workbook, homework and practice quizzes.

We recommend downloading the ICR so you can search the document digitally during your preparation. In-person participation is particularly valuable because discussion, shared experiences and practical examples are important parts of learning how to apply the rules.

Level 3 – Developing Senior Officials

Level 3 is designed for experienced officials looking to take on senior leadership responsibilities at higher-level competitions. While Level 2 focuses on understanding the rules, Level 3 emphasizes applying those rules in complex, real-world situations.

Participants explore case studies, Jury decision-making, fairness, race management and the technical requirements of FIS competition. Successful completion provides the knowledge required to take on senior roles, including Chief of Race at FIS-level events, subject to applicable appointment and experience requirements.

Upcoming Alberta Level 3 Course

• October 24, 2026 — Eighth Avenue Place, Calgary; online participation option listed. Confirm eligibility and attendance requirements with the course organizer.

For course details, registration and future Level 3 opportunities, please check the Alberta Alpine Calendar.

The Level 3 examination is a three-hour written assessment, with a passing grade of 70%. Preparation is particularly important, especially for Equivalent Electronic Time (EET) and race penalty calculations, which together account for 26% of the examination marks. Participants should also be comfortable navigating the ICR and citing specific rule references when explaining decisions.

Preparing for Your Level 3 Course

Level 3 candidates should spend time reviewing the relevant FIS rules and practising calculations before attending the course.

• 2026 FIS International Competition Rules (ICR) — Review the rules and become comfortable locating and citing specific references.
• 2026 FIS Points Rules — Understand FIS points and race penalty calculations.
• FIS Timing Booklet — Review timing procedures, equipment requirements and technical calculations.
• Level 3 EET and Penalty Calculation Practice — Practise EET and penalty calculations using the provided examples.

A tip from our Officials Education Team: Practise the EET and penalty calculations until you can complete them confidently and efficiently. These calculations account for a significant portion of the examination, and being comfortable with them will allow more time for the written questions.

When answering exam questions, remember to cite the relevant ICR or NCR rule numbers. Correct decisions without supporting rule references can result in lost marks. In-person attendance is normally required for Level 3 unless an exemption is specifically granted for travel logistics.

Staying Current: Annual Officials Updates

Officials education doesn’t stop once a certification is earned. Ski racing rules and best practices evolve, and keeping officials informed is essential to delivering high-quality competitions.

To maintain credentials, Level 1 officials are required to complete an Officials Update every three years, while Level 2 and higher officials must attend every two years. Alberta Alpine encourages all officials to attend an update annually whenever possible.

These sessions provide an opportunity to review rule changes, discuss real situations from previous seasons, refresh technical knowledge and connect with fellow officials.

Before attending, participants should review the latest Alberta Alpine Provincial Competition Rules (PCR), ACA National Competition Rules (NCR) and FIS International Competition Rules.

Upcoming Officials Updates and education opportunities will be posted on the Alberta Alpine Calendar.

Supporting Our Officials Community

Alberta Alpine’s Officials Education, led by Don Boyce, AASA Officials Chair, who is assisted by Gregg Fergusson, Joanne Gray, Luc Berthiaume, David Howard, Aaron Vaage and countless others continues to support the development of officials across the province.

Their goal is not simply to deliver courses, but to build a knowledgeable, confident and connected community of officials who can support ski racing at every level.

During the past season, Alberta’s officials community delivered more than 20 days of officials education, demonstrating the continued commitment to developing the people who make our competitions possible. Whether you are just getting started or have spent decades volunteering on the hill, there is always something new to learn.

Be Part of the Team Behind the Team

Great ski racing takes great athletes and coaches, but it also takes great officials. Every gate judge, timer, starter, referee and Chief Official plays a part in creating an environment where athletes can compete confidently and fairly. And every experienced official started somewhere.

If you’ve been watching from the sidelines, helping your club or wondering how you can become more involved, this is a great season to take that first step.

Interested in becoming an official?

Reach out to your local Alberta Alpine ski club to learn about upcoming in-house Level 1 courses.

For those looking to advance their certification, visit the Alberta Alpine Calendar to find upcoming Level 2 and Level 3 courses, Officials Updates, registration information and additional education opportunities throughout the season.

Be sure to check the calendar regularly, as additional courses and updates may be added throughout the year.

Together, we can continue building the strong officiating community that Alberta ski racing depends on.

Because behind every great race is a great team of officials.