U12 Provincial Finals Wrap Up at Sunshine
Sunshine Village, AB – The Sunshine Alpine Racers hosted the U12 Provincial Finals this past weekend, welcoming over 200 athletes for an exciting and competitive series of Giant Slalom and Slalom races. As the second of two province-wide competitions this season, the event brought together young racers from across Alberta and beyond, all eager to test themselves against the province’s best.
Athletes made the journey to the Bow Valley from as far north as Cold Lake, with strong representation from Edmonton-area clubs, Jasper, Red Deer, and Calgary. Teams from Panorama and Westcastle were also in attendance, along with a small contingent of visiting athletes from Ontario, adding even more depth and excitement to the field.
The Finals provided a clear snapshot of athlete development at the U12 level. Over the course of the season, these young skiers have made significant strides in their technical skills, confidence, and race-day execution. At this stage, many programs are cementing the fundamental skill acquisition that athletes have been working on all year while adding more structured technical and tactical development. The result was evident on the hill, where athletes demonstrated improved line choice, better stance on their skis, and a growing ability to adapt to varying course conditions.
Both race days featured two single-run races, providing athletes with multiple opportunities to deliver strong performances and apply what they’ve learned throughout the season. This format is a positive and developmentally appropriate approach at the U12 level, encouraging athletes to ski with confidence and intent on every run. It allows for more race exposure and repetition, helping build skills and experience without the added pressure and complexity of managing a two-run combined result
Race organizers were equally prepared, delivering a well-run and professional event from start to finish. From course preparation to timing and volunteer coordination, the Sunshine Alpine Racers and their dedicated team ensured a smooth experience for athletes, coaches, and families alike.
Phil Wilson, Technical Delegate (TD) for the event—whose role is independent of the Race Organizing Committee and focused on ensuring fair and safe competition—shared his thoughts:
“It was a great race with a large field. The weather was perfect for the GS races and the courses challenged the athletes. On the Sunday, the ROC had to deal with some snow but had a great race surface. The long gates challenged some of the athletes and they got to race two very different sets.”
Beyond the results, the weekend was filled with meaningful moments, personal best performances, breakthrough runs, and the chance for athletes to connect with peers from across the province. For many, these Finals represent not just competition, but a celebration of a season’s worth of hard work and progress.
One of the standout highlights of the weekend was a special visit from Sunshine’s own 2026 Olympian, Kiki Alexander. Kiki spent time on-site Saturday, cheering on athletes, skiing with the forerunners, signing autographs, and sharing her experiences during the awards ceremony. Her presence left a lasting impression on the young racers, offering both inspiration and perspective on what is possible through dedication and passion for the sport. Some things that she has learned along her path to the Canadian National Team:
Q: How old were you when you first wanted to do Olympics?
Kiki: I started skiing when I was 6 and I feel like I was always just super competitive and I think it was always, honestly, a life-long dream of mine.
Q: What did you learn at Sunshine Ski Club?
Kiki: Joining the Sunshine Alpine Racers was pretty life-changing for me because at that time, I was struggling a bit finding a love for it [skiing], and coming back to Sunshine they really helped me find my love and passion for skiing. Sometimes with racing we get into this hard-core attitude – it’s an intense sport – but at the end of the day you have to be able to find your love for skiing again and that’s what takes you so, so far.
Q: What’s your fastest time?
Kiki: Well that depends on the course, but my fastest SPEED though was actually doing the Lake Louise Downhill going 135 kmph! (wild cheers from the kids)
Q; When did you win your first award?
Kiki: I probably would have been about your guys’ age, it was in Jasper…I don’t know if you guys go up there anymore? (cries of ‘yes we do!!’) OK, so ya, my first award would have been at Marmot.
Q Where did you go to school?
Kiki: I was born in Calgary and raised in Cochrane and just went to the public schools in Cochrane. I had really awesome teachers, and good communication with my teachers and would tell them, ‘hey, I’m going to miss some school, can you please help me out?’ You know, I would ask for things in advance and work really hard while I was on the road. I feel like that’s a super important one…keep up with your studies!
Q: Have you ever broken a bone while skiing?
Kiki: I did! So it would have been 2022, I actually ended up tearing my ACL, lateral meniscus, and fractured the head of my femur. But I was able to come back full force, ski better than I ever had, so if you’re ever coming back from an injury don’t ever think that’s what ‘s going to hold you back – just keep working hard!
More from Kiki: I think the friendships that you guys make in ski racing are not like any others, so I think, you know, having people around you who really support you, really believe in you, who you can talk to about anything and also, again, I will always say this and always come back to remembering why we’re doing this. We’re doing this because we love to ski and I always say even a hard day of skiing is better than any day sitting in a classroom in my opinion!