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

Start: Wednesday November 13, 2024 10:00 AM MST
End: Monday December 16, 2024 12:01 PM MST

Alberta Alpine is holding our first annual Sleigh the Raffles event to help cover the costs of our Alberta Ski Team this season. They can’t express enough how much your support means to them and they hope to make everyone proud this season!

50/50 Raffle

Wine Raffle

Prize Raffle

Start: Wednesday November 13, 2024 10:00 AM MST
End: Monday December 16, 2024 09:00 PM MST

Event Location: Calgary, Alberta

Welcome to Sleigh the Bids 2024!

Alberta Alpine Ski Association (AASA) is a provincial partner of Alpine Canada Alpin, and the governing body for alpine ski racing in the province of Alberta. 

Alberta Alpine is holding our first annual Sleigh the Bids online silent auction to help cover the costs of our Alberta Ski Team this season. They can’t express enough how much your support means to them and they hope to make everyone proud this season!
 
A sincere Thank You for your support!

The silent auction is open to bids online.

What: ACA through the support of Mackenzie Financial will be providing $10,000 in support to females across Canada to financially support their on- going efforts to “level up” in coach education.

Start:

• Program will be launched December 1st, 2024
• All registrations up to and including March 2nd, 2025, will be considered for the subsidy
• Winners of the subsidy will be announced the week of March 3rd, 2025

How It Will Work:

• Any female that registers for a coaching course is eligible to get 50% of the cost of her course subsidized through this program
• Each PTSO will receive a pre established quota for the refund:
  • BC – 3DL/1PL,
  • ALB – 3DL/1PL,
  • Sask/Man/YK – 1 DL/1PL,
  • ONT – 7 DL/1PL,
  • QUE – 7 DL/1PL,
  • Atlantic Canada – 1 DL/1PL
• The PTSO’s will self manage the distribution of the subsidy and issue the refund – 50% of the course fee (as they are the ones collecting the money from the registrant). ACA will reimburse the PTSO’s the equivalent amount as per. their quota allocation. A random draw, executed by the PTSO’s of their female registrants will take place on March 3rd, 2025. Expectation of the PTSO is that they provide the name and information of the winners so that ACA/Mackenzie can send them a letter of congratulations and to collect testimonials.

Ski racing in Canada has a deep and rich culture, and at its core is the spirit of volunteerism. The true heart of the sport is its people, the volunteers who do their jobs in both winter and summer.  They see a need that matches their skills. They give freely of their time, the most precious resource of all. They inspire the team, they mentor newcomers, they sling net and pull wire in all the weather our mountains can produce.

One of the most dedicated but least known of that army of volunteers passed away in Calgary on October 27. Steve Mullen used the knowledge and experience gathered over a thirty-year career as a telephone lineman to establish a simple, reliable wiring system for race timing. He spent literally years of his retirement as a volunteer, traveling to ski clubs across Canada to help them install wiring systems that will provide stable, consistent service for many decades.

Steve’s legacy is buried under ski runs from British Columbia to Nova Scotia, and racers from kids at the Nancy Greene level all the way up to World Cup speed athletes receive results transmitted over the wiring he placed and terminated. He procured and maintained an extensive inventory of obscure components, saving clubs the effort of sourcing them individually. Just as importantly, Steve shared his skills, teaching many people the fundamentals and enabling them to maintain or expand their system independently.

We send condolences to Anne and thank her for her own service at Steve’s side in timing shacks across Canada.

Lake Louise, AB – When it came to supporting ski racing you simply couldn’t stop or slow down Gene Durand for almost 30 years. If something was possible, and he certainly didn’t shy away from testing the limits of that, he would insist, or just do what he felt was needed or required – often under the radar. And he kept on doing those things – as CRSRHOF member Rob Imbrogno points out, “he never stopped; when Geno signed up, it was forever.” 

Gene’s legacy began in 1981 when his sons, Jeff and Cam, started racing with the Lake Louise Ski Club. Volunteering was a natural fit for Gene and before long he was on the LLSC board of directors and became passionate in supporting races of the highest quality. Jeff remembers his dad rarely speaking about his volunteer activities, supporting Jeff’s racing pursuits from the “background”, not wanting the focus to be on him. Jeff recalls face planting in soft snow while racing in -28c temperatures at a Lake Louise Nor-Am Downhill. Shaken up and very cold, he slipped down the side and into Coach’s Corner where Gene was stationed, who wrapped his long coat around Jeff and provided encouraging words. Gene was always there supporting, literally from the sidelines.

Jeff had a terrible crash in 2001 at a World Cup downhill on the Hahnenkamm which Gene and his wife Cynthia were watching from the finish. It was tough to see his son hurt which drove Gene to try to make the safest and fairest tracks that he could. By focusing on what he could control, like making sure the slip-skirts were buttoned up nice and tight, or the B-nets had the correct spacing and lean, or come race-day making sure the ruts were kept to a minimum, it took his mind off any worries he may have had. It became his passion to help make things better and his contributions grew to all levels of racing, from local club races, western regional races, Nor-Am’s, World Cups and the Vancouver Olympics .

His peers, including Imbrogno, fellow Hall of Famer and leader of the Net Monkeys Randy Pruden and Bruce Hampstead, all characterized Gene: “Heart of Gold”, “didn’t put up with crap”, “brilliant”, “generous”, “gentleman”, “the Guy Who Made Shit Happen”, “relentless”, “all business”, “passionate”, “enabling”, “story-teller”, “debonaire”, “simple guy”, and an “overgrown imp”. They and many miss his loud, warm, and back-slapping greetings – he was an imposing individual, but physical size was only a part of that. He made everyone feel very special.

At the Nor-Am level especially, Gene felt that “Lake Louise is a tough race for their first and often only downhill of the year, but we’re going to make it safe!” Gene became a true “student of safety – the crashes, injuries, physics, and the nuts and bolts” to help make things better through his own actions at his level. He became “intensely interested in understanding the whys and how of things resulting in incidents, calling me right to the time of his passing.” Pruden also credits Gene for keeping him in his role for many years past when he considered moving on. “He was my champion, helped me achieve the best I could do, and he outright sold me to stay by making me believe that I was meant to do this, that they needed me, and in Gene-fashion, said that I couldn’t go!” Very important, given Randy’s huge impact at Lake Louise.

Gene had a deep rooted love for the Lake. He was happiest wearing his crampons, shovelling out the endless snow at the bottom of the big pitch on the Lake Louise Fall Away, something that continued years beyond when he was just not physically capable anymore. His work ethic was infectious and spurred on many younger Sled Dogs and course workers to try to keep up to his endless energy – he led by example but also knew how to turn the screws even harder with his quick and sharp wit. Nobody wanted to receive too much of that!

He was a crew-chief most years at the Lake but when needed, he stepped up to be the Chief of Race for the ’95 Women’s World Cup event when Bruce Hampstead had to pull out 90 days before the event – no problem for the incredibly competent Gene, though! In his later years there, he ran a crew that supported the start area – largely female, Gene was in his glory, empowering, teaching, and leading his “Angels” to take on tasks around the mountain that had been intimidating to them, before their main event started. World cup crew member, Joan Maguire, describes him as a good friend, mentor, forever loyal, and generous to a fault.  “And how could you ever forget that laugh of his? We had so much fun on course, whether we were digging to China or on our knees tying cookies. He was always smiling or laughing.” He really could do it all.

Gene had an eye for knowing what needed to be done, but he had a real knack for looking after the hardest workers who made the World Cups happen. He hosted countless dinners at the Station Restaurant and at Laggan’s Bakery and always was concerned that these crews, particularly the Net Monkeys, weren’t getting enough calories in the many weeks leading up to the races. When he wasn’t hosting, he was providing large discounts for them or helped to supplement food at the organized events – his volunteer lunches from Laggan’s were the stuff of legend. Pruden recalls that Gene’s dryland training was in large part carrying bags of cookies way up the downhill track before the snow came to where the Net Monkey’s were installing the large and complex ‘A’ safety net systems. Either that, or surreptitiously providing updates to Calgary-based Chief of Race Darrell MacLachlan!

The crews and volunteers were important to Gene, but the athletes even more so. Everything he did in ski racing ultimately, was to make things better for them. He served his ski club, on the Alberta Alpine Board of Directors, for World Cup both for Alberta Alpine and Winterstart Events, and in many other roles in the community – all to fulfil that goal. As generous as he was with his time and support from his Lake Louise businesses, the provision of his legal skills and professional time to these organizations and events was beyond impactful, bottomless, and of course in Gene’s style, unheralded. Much in our sport today is owed to this generosity.

For the athletes, especially at the Nor-Am level direct support came too in the form of highly discounted meals and store discounts – real stuff. One of Gene’s greater legacies for them and World Cup racers, however, was his intense interest in and passion for safety on the hill. His support for the athletes was unwavering. His advice to racers would be “to thank at least two volunteers everyday you race, act with integrity, work hard, and have fun”. 

With the help of Gene’s beloved wife Cynthia and son Jeff, last season the Lake Louise Ski Club recognized Gene for his decades of support by naming an in-house race “the Volly Race”. Gene had opposed the honour in his name while he was alive and refused to consider several awards including this very induction into the Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame. “Thanks, but F-you, fellas. I can’t get rewarded for something that has given me so much joy and fulfillment. That just doesn’t seem right. Over my dead body!”

We’re sorry that it had to come to that, Gene, but your contributions to alpine ski racing are so important to others, that your selfless acts need to be noted. We are less without you, but know your spirit lives on at Fall Away, probably chuckling how the new folks still can’t keep up with you.

It is a great honour to induct Gene Durand, our Honoured Official, into the 2024 Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame.

October 30, 2024

To our valued supporters, We would like to start by extending our sincere Thanks for your support of the 2024 Highest Peak Gala, and expressing our gratitude to all athletes, parents, friends, and businesses who have been working hard and providing donations to make this event a success.

We are pleased to be running the Silent Auction and Raffle fundraising online with great items. These will be shared in our newsletter, on our website, and on our social media platforms in the upcoming weeks. All support is truly appreciated.

We will hold an event to celebrate our honoured CRSR Hall of Fame Inductees at a later date, details will be announced when available.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Ski Racing in Alberta and the Alberta Ski Team.

Sincerely,
Alberta Alpine Ski Association

Alberta Alpine and the Selection Committee of the Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame are pleased to announce the Class of 2024 – dedicated leaders with an extraordinary commitment to the development of alpine ski racing in Canada.

The Class of 2024 will be honoured at the Highest Peak Gala on November 7^th at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel in Calgary.

Bill Irwin – Honoured Alberta & Canadian Team alumni – Bill Irwin carved his own pathway in ski racing, reaching the World Cup and representing Canada in Europe. Along with his partner Kelly Kryczka, the Irwin’s raised four children, all engaged in high performance sport (three in alpine ski racing, one in syncro swimming). From the 1980’s, over nearly four decades Bill could be found working with race organizers at every level, including the 1988 Olympic Winter Games Organizing Committee, World Cup at Lake Louise Nor-Am’s, ensuring safety was in-place, race quality and surfaces to proper standards and filling leadership roles from Race Chair to course worker.

The Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame event is a legacy event with the goal to support future champions in the province, with all proceeds invested into Alberta Ski Racing programs.

WHERE: Fairmont Palliser Hotel, Calgary

WHEN: Thursday, November 7, 2024

TIME: 5:00 pm

REGISTRATION INCLUDES: Cocktail Hour, Dinner, Entertainment, Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame Awards Presentation

TICKETS ARE LIMITED: THIS EVENT SOLD OUT LAST YEAR!

Alberta Alpine and the Selection Committee of the Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame are pleased to announce the Class of 2024 – dedicated leaders with an extraordinary commitment to the development of alpine ski racing in Canada.

The Class of 2024 will be honoured at the Highest Peak Gala on November 7^th at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel in Calgary.

Barb Wood – Honoured Volunteer – From the Lake Louise Nor-Am to Pontiac GMC Cup to the 2022 World Juniors to supporting events at all levels, Barb Wood has been an extraordinary contributor as Chief of Race and Volunteers. A ski racer who has paid it forward with her own children in the sport, she also extend her profession as a teacher to guide numerous student-athletes as a tutor to navigate the performance pathway.

The Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame event is a legacy event with the goal to support future champions in the province, with all proceeds invested into Alberta Ski Racing programs.

WHERE: Fairmont Palliser Hotel, Calgary

WHEN: Thursday, November 7, 2024

TIME: 5:00 pm

REGISTRATION INCLUDES: Cocktail Hour, Dinner, Entertainment, Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame Awards Presentation

TICKETS ARE LIMITED: THIS EVENT SOLD OUT LAST YEAR!

Alberta Alpine and the Selection Committee of the Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame are pleased to announce the Class of 2024 – dedicated leaders with an extraordinary commitment to the development of alpine ski racing in Canada.

“These athletes, officials, pioneers and builders have lifted our sport, athletes and ski clubs throughout our province” said Pat Gillespie, President of Alberta Alpine. “It is important to recognize this extraordinary contribution, which has delivered a world-class World Cup for over fourty years, productive ski club programs and opportunity for our youth”.

The Class of 2024 will be honoured at the Highest Peak Gala on November 7^th at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel in Calgary.

Craig Rusnak – Honoured Builder – Roped into the ski racing world through his daughter, Sydney, Craig (better known to some as “Rooster”) has brought passion, energy, enthusiasm and commitment to our great sport. Working Nor-Am’s World Cups, Special Olympics, Para-Alpine World Cups and World Juniors – in Canada and abroad – Craig has covered the spectrum of volunteer positions and energized our events. He continues to be an inspiring leader, in his home club of Snow Valley, throughout the province and internationally.

The Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame event is a legacy event with the goal to support future champions in the province, with all proceeds invested into Alberta Ski Racing programs.

WHERE: Fairmont Palliser Hotel, Calgary

WHEN: Thursday, November 7, 2024

TIME: 5:00 pm

REGISTRATION INCLUDES: Cocktail Hour, Dinner, Entertainment, Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame Awards Presentation

TICKETS ARE LIMITED: THIS EVENT SOLD OUT LAST YEAR!

Where: CSI Calgary at Markin Macphail Centre
151 Canada Olympic Rd SW #250, Calgary, AB T3B 6B7, Canada

When: November 2nd (U14) and 3rd (U16 & FIS)
Time: 8:30am to 4:30pm

Please note: Time slots are 2 hours long and will be assigned and communicated on Thursday, October 31st.

Registration link: https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=36656

Recognizing an extraordinary commitment of five sport leaders to alpine ski racing and our athletes.

Canmore (AB) – Alberta Alpine and the Selection Committee of the Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame are pleased to announce the Class of 2024 – four dedicated leaders with an extraordinary commitment to the development of alpine ski racing in Canada.

“These athletes, officials, pioneers and builders have lifted our sport, athletes and ski clubs throughout our province” said Pat Gillespie, President of Alberta Alpine. “It is important to recognize this extraordinary contribution, which has delivered a world-class World Cup for over fourty years, productive ski club programs and opportunity for our youth”.

The Class of 2024 will be honoured at the Highest Peak Gala on November 7^th at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel in Calgary.

Over the coming weeks prior to the Highest Peak Gala, Alberta Alpine will post profiles of each Honoured Inductee, to recognize the remarkable dedication of each to our sport – providing invaluable leadership to the community and giving our athletes the events, programs and organizational capacity which have made Alberta Alpine one of the most productive provincial sport organizations in Canada.

Introducing the Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame Class of 2024:

Gene Durand – Honoured Official – The Durand family commitment to alpine ski racing runs very deep. Gene brought his leadership skills to Alberta Alpine as a member of the Board and Chair, which at that time also included the ACA Board. His dedication to the staging of events included leadership positions with the Lake Louise World Cup and Nor-Am and be became a fixture at the base of Fallaway (on the Men’s Downhill at Lake Louise) every year for the staging of U16 and FIS races.

Bill Irwin – Honoured Alberta & Canadian Team alumni – Bill Irwin carved his own pathway in ski racing, reaching the World Cup and representing Canada in Europe. Along with his partner Kelly Kryczka, the Irwin’s raised four children, all engaged in high performance sport (three in alpine ski racing, one in syncro swimming). From the 1980’s, over nearly four decades Bill could be found working with race organizers at every level, including the 1988 Olympic Winter Games Organizing Committee, World Cup at Lake Louise Nor-Am’s, ensuring safety was in-place, race quality and surfaces to proper standards and filling leadership roles from Race Chair to course worker.

Craig Rusnak – Honoured Builder – Roped into the ski racing world through his daughter, Sydney, Craig (better known to some as “Rooster”) has brought passion, energy, enthusiasm and commitment to our great sport. Working Nor-Am’s World Cups, Special Olympics, Para-Alpine World Cups and World Juniors – in Canada and abroad – Craig has covered the spectrum of volunteer positions and energized our events. He continues to be an inspiring leader, in his home club of Snow Valley, throughout the province and internationally.

Barb Wood – Honoured Volunteer – From the Lake Louise Nor-Am to Pontiac GMC Cup to the 2022 World Juniors to supporting events at all levels, Barb Wood has been an extraordinary contributor as Chief of Race and Volunteers. A ski racer who has paid it forward with her own children in the sport, she also extends her profession as a teacher to guide numerous student-athletes as a tutor to navigate the performance pathway.

The Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame event is a legacy event with the goal to support future champions in the province, with all proceeds invested into Alberta Ski Racing programs.

–  30  –

For more information:
Pat Gillespie, Alberta Alpine
Email:   pat@albertaalpine.ca