Canmore, Alberta – Alberta Alpine is pleased to announce support for two Alberta athletes aiming to contend at the 2026 FIS Alpine Junior World Ski Championships.

2025 Dee Read Memorial Scholarship. Will provide supplemental financial support to Kendra Giesbrecht, a 2^nd year member of the Canadian Alpine Development Team and Aidan Kometz, a third year member of the Alberta Ski Team who is aiming to rebound from a knee injury with strong results in downhill and superG.

The 19-year old Giesbrecht, hails from St. Albert and raced with Snow Valley in her early years and is now with the Banff Alpine Racers She hopes to build on two years of World Junior experience. In 2024 she was part of the Mixed Team Event that was narrowly edged out of a bronze medal, finishing 4^th. This past season she captured the Canadian Championship title in giant slalom. The 2026 World Juniors are set to be held north of the Arctic Circle in Narvik, Norway, will be her third visit to the most prestigious junior event in the world.

Kendra has a deep commitment to her sport. “I believe that greatness in any field comes from consistency and discipline. My commitment to ski racing extends year-round, on and off the hill, and I understand the sacrifices required to compete at this level. As I look ahead to the 2025–2026 season, I hope to continue improving and to earn my place once again on the CAST-D team, as I pursue my dream of racing on the World Cup circuit.”

After showing great promise through two years with the Alberta Ski Team, Aidan Kometz, a 19-year old based from Calgary with NATC Ski Club, had the misfortune of an ACL tear in Saas-Fee which forced him to sit out the 2025 season. But he did not let this setback deter him from high goals and focusing on a return to the highest levels of ski racing.

“The accomplishment I am most proud of is these past 6 months of rehabilitation from ACL reconstruction. I am proud of not only my physical success, but my personal growth’ said Komtez. “I have never been this strong before. I consistently showed up and put meaningful effort in to my workouts. I started taking my hydration seriously. I got a proper fitness tracker to hold me accountable for sleep and my cardiovascular health. All for the single goal of furthering my ski career.” While dedicating himself to a return to the highest levels, he also maintained a 97% average while completing his high school.

Komtez aims to build on his U19 Canadian Championship downhill title, captured in 2024. “While it wasn’t my cleanest race, it was a race where I fought hard to finish with the goal of winning that title” said Komtez. “It was what felt like the first true taste and step toward the Canadian National Team.”

“To succeed at the World Juniors takes a lot of  hard work and dedicated effort,” said Alberta Alpine President, Patrick Gillespie. “Kendra and Aidan have demonstrated they have the work ethic and determination to succeed and to represent Canada in the biggest stage for juniors in the world. We believe these athletes will represent us proudly next March in Norway.”

“Both Kendra and Aidan represent the epitome of what all our young athletes aspire to be,” said Josh Benge, Athletic Director of Alberta Alpine. “They are strong competitors, incredibly hard workers, and fantastic human beings.”

Since 1988, promising young Alberta alpine ski racers have been named as recipients of the Dee Read Memorial Scholarship, awarded annually by the Read Family, providing financial support and to recognize athletes who one day hope to represent Canada in World Cup, World Championship or Olympic competition.

About Dee Read

Canadian Champion in the downhill and combined at Norquay in 1948, coach, official, volunteer and parent, Dee Read broke barriers as a leader in sport. She was one of the first female FIS Technical Delegates world-wide, the first woman Chair of Alberta Alpine and Board Member of Alpine Canada. Her dedication reached far beyond her family to influence athletes, parents, coaches and sport administrators right across Canada, sharing her knowledge, generosity and warm spirit in lending a firm but insightful hand as a sport leader. In recognition for her contributions to snowsports in Canada, Dee was named to Canada’s Ski Hall of Fame in in 2001.

Thank you for attending and supporting the 2025 Quest for Gold Golf Tournament. It was an incredible event, and everyone’s support means so much!

Thank you to our sponsors:

Hole in One Sponsor: Wolfe Canmore GMC Buick and GMC Dealers of Alberta
Exclusive Breakfast Sponsor: Truman Homes
Exclusive Lunch Sponsor: CANPAR Holdings
Exclusive 19th Hole Beverage Sponsor: Raymond James Mission Wealth Advisors
Exclusive Souvenir Sponsor: Wolfe GMC Buick Auto Edmonton
Albatross Sponsor: Cardel Homes
Birdie Sponsor: World Cup Supply
Birdie Sponsor: Leading Edge Physiotherapy
Birdie Sponsor: LISKI
Birdie Sponsor: InspiredGo
Birdie Sponsor: Akash Homes
Birdie Sponsor: Kaerus Group Risk Solutions Inc.
Birdie Sponsor: Homes by Avi

Our incredible clothing sponsor: Karbon Sports

Thank You Perry Thompson Photography for tournament photography.

And a big thank you to everyone who supported and made a donation:

CRAVE CUPCAKES
INSPIREDGO
PANORAMA
SMITH FAMILY
ELBOW SPRINGS GOLF
MOUNTAIN BLENDS COFFEE
NORQUAY
ROSE & CROWN BANFF
PLANDEN FAMILY

Alberta Ski Team and Alberta Development Group Athletes, Parents, Families, and Supporters

And a huge thank you to Silvertip Golf Resort!

Every year Alberta Alpine looks forward to recognizing our athletes for their hard work and commitment to excellence, on and off the track.

After an extensive deliberation process from a highly competitive pool of applicants, the Alberta Alpine scholarship committee has selected the following scholarship recipients for the 2024/25 season:

Cary Mullen Character Award
AST: Zoe Gray
FIS: Petra Plandon
U14/16: Milla Singh
U12: No nominations

Franklin Donald Bean Award
Gered Thompson

Brent Marshall Scholarship
Cole Merrett

Ski Canada Magazine Award
Women: Carmen Bullock 
Men: Miles Halek

Dave Murray Memorial Scholarship
Shae O’Brien

Rob Bosinger Ski Scholarship
Miles Halek
Brynlee Reain

Speed Brothers registration is open.

April 28-30, 2025
Sunshine Village
➡️ https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=38439

Proudly presented by Genstar.

Speed Sisters is back. It’s open to female identifying athletes – 2013 year of birth and older.

April 28-30, 2025
Lake Louise
➡️ https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=38432

Proudly presented by Genstar.

Registration and sponsor opportunities are now open for the 2025 Quest for Gold Golf Tournament.

WHERE: Silvertip Golf Resort in Canmore, AB

WHEN: Monday June 2, 2025

TIME: Registration Opens 8:30 am with the Putting Challenge from 8:30am to 10:00am

Shot-gun start at 10:00 am

REGISTRATION INCLUDES: Tee Gift, Light Breakfast, 1 beverage, Lunch and 19th Hole ‘Après Reception’

Register: https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=38277&lan=1&cartlevel=1

Alberta Alpine scholarships are now posted for 2025.

Alberta Alpine is pleased to offer a variety of award and scholarship opportunities. We encourage all athletes to apply; note age categories to ensure eligibility. Awards and scholarships are reviewed and selected by an independent selection committee.

The deadline for submissions are;

• March 24, 2025 (10pm)
  • Rob Bosinger Ski Scholarship (U16)
    
• March 27, 2025 (12pm)
  • David Murray Memorial Scholarship (U19, U21)
  • Ski Canada Magazine Award (U14, U16)
  • Franklin Donald Bean Award (AST)
  • Brent Marshall Memorial Scholarship (U16, U19)
  • Cary Mullen Nomination (U12, U14/16, FIS, AST)
    
• May 8, 2025
  • Read Family Scholarship (AST)
  
  It is highly recommended to submit applications early, and it is acceptable and expected that athletes will apply for any and all scholarships for which they are eligible.Coaches, athletes and general club members are welcome to submit Cary Mullen nominations for athletes who display the qualities Cary views as essential: Courage, Commitment, Confidence and Camaraderie.

(Release via Alpine Canada)

Calgary, Alta. (February 20, 2025) — The team representing Canada at the FIS Alpine Junior World Ski Championship in Tarvisio (ITA) from February 27th through March 6th was announced today and it is a team with a mix of veterans, eight returnees from 2024, complimented by five newcomers to the team.

The Canadian team is made up of 13 athletes, under the age for 21, who were selected using criteria that includes world ranking, world ranking by age, as well as performance in the Nor-Am Series, and is coming off a gold medal performance from Britt Richardson (Canmore, AB) at last year’s Junior Worlds. The eight returning from last year’s Junior Worlds are: Amélie Bourgeois, Andreea Nicolici, Estelle Martin, Gered Thompson, Kendra Giesbrecht, Oscar Park, Pierick Charest and Sascha Gilbert. 

“This is an exciting time for these young athletes and also for Alpine Canada with a number of these athletes having been involved in Project Excel and the CAST D program,” said Jeff Thompson, VP Domestic Sport Programs & Events, Alpine Canada. “We are proud of the impact Project Excel, the collaboration with the Provincial Ski Teams and CAST D have had in just a short time in helping our athletes elevate their development. And we are very proud of these athletes, their coaches, clubs and families who support them on their journey to the world stage.”

2025 Canadian National Junior Ski Team

The team is led by Marie-Eve Boulianne, Head Coach, Women CAST D, Urban Planisek, Head Coach, Men CAST D, and Jennifer Stielow, Team Leader, Project Excel.

Racing at the 2025 FIS Alpine Junior World Ski Championships starts with the men’s and women’s downhill on Wednesday February 27th. To see the full FIS Junior World Ski Championship schedule please click here. Live timing will be provided by the International Ski Federation (FIS).

Follow Canada’s Ski Team this season on Alpine Canada’s website, across our social media accounts and subscribe to our newsletter.

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For more information or media inquiries please contact: 

Mark Halliday
Alpine Canada
403 777 3204
media@alpinecanada.org

Jacket sizing is adult unisex sizing. Jackets are Karbon brand, “Transform light down puffer”. The back of the jacket will have a U16 Western Alberta Ski Team logo.

Must Order by March 11th, 2025 at midnight.

You must complete the form once per each individual jacket order.

Please ensure you enter your email address, NOT home address.

Jackets will be delivered to your home club the week prior to U16 Westerns Departure.

PRE-ORDER HERE: https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=38264

Over $45,000 in prizes to be won

TWO Grand Prizes and TWO Early Bird Prizes with several amazing ADDITIONAL PRIZES in the final draw!

Alpine Canada today kicked off its first CANskiteam Sweepstakes in support of Canada’s National and Next Gen Ski Team programming. Alpine Canada, supported by partners, suppliers and key industry stakeholders, will launch a first-ever Sweepstakes with over $45,000 in prizes, including two grand prizes of a $15,000 Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing experience and a $10,000 redtag.ca vacation travel voucher. All funds raised will go towards supporting National and NextGen ski team programming in alpine, Para alpine and ski cross.

Grand Prize Deadline March 16 at 7:00 PM

Along with the two Grand prizes from Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing and redtag.ca , other prizes including early bird draws for VIP experiences at the 2025 PwC Tremblant World Cup and 2025 redtag.ca SKi Cross World Cup, a Sporting Life gift card, two 25-26 Season Epic ski passes and packages from HEAD, Nordica, Rossignol, Level and Helly Hansen.

Tickets are $25 for 20 tickets, $50 for 100 tickets, and $100 for 300 tickets. 

The 2025 NORAM GS ROC has been busy at work prepping the hill for the January 27 – 30 event. We are happy to report we have repaired all the damage from this year’s construction, secured a satisfactory summer inspection by FIS and the upper half of the surface has been laid down and is already bulled proof. Next formal step is the build and FIS snow control. Join us! In the lead up to the race and on race days.

The work started early this summer. Some may still have nightmares from the incident at last years U16 Western Nationals when the cable was cut by an excavator ten minutes before the race! Those breaks had to be identified and since the World Cup is on hiatus, the effort fell on a dedicated team including the Lake Louise Ski Resort, LLSC Chief of Timing Sean Johnston, the Chief of Timing for Lake Louise Mens World Cup Sharlene Hrabec and a small army of ski club volunteers.

Meanwhile, early in the fall the ROC hosted a venue inspection by FIS inspector and TD Jim Brewington. The installation of the new bubble chair necessitated an inspection and changes to the homologations. We walked the track top to bottom, making note of the changes and required alterations to our safety plan and course build. It was a monster day, as the Juniper venue was also inspected for a potential future FIS slalom event.

With the lift construction complete the last significant job was installing a new 50 pair cable across a half kilometer stretch between Pedestal 6 at Fall Away and Pedestal 5 at on Upper WiWaxi,  with a new pedestal being installed at Coaches Corner providing us with another interval and possible start location on the track. The team is happy to report that we are “live with wire” with just a few slight updates in the timing shack necessary to be perfect.

Alberta Alpine Ski Association is pleased to announce Mountain Fire Foods and GearUp Mountain Sports Rentals & Services as new sponsors!

Mountain Fire Foods is one of our new premier partnerships! Mountain Fire Foods provides fresh, healthy, and delicious meals right to your doorstep. They are located in Canmore and service Canmore, Banff, Exshaw and Deadman’s Flats areas. Please visit their website at: mountainfirefoods.ca

Mountain Fire Foods will be feeding the Alberta Ski Team and will be offering the Alberta Alpine Membership a 15% discount on all meals. Use code: AASA15. So when your team is training or racing in the Bow Valley Mountain Fire Foods can supply your meals right to the hotel.

GearUp Mountain Sports Rentals & Services will look after all Alberta Ski Team equipment tuning and service. GearUp will also offer all Alberta Alpine Members 10% off all ski/board tuning and all rental equipment. Use code: AASA 10. GearUp is located in Canmore at 1302 Bow Valley Trail.  Learn more on their website: gearupsport.com