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.

The Class of 2024 will be honoured at the Highest Peak Gala on November 21st, 2025 at Mt. Norquay.

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  –

Fitness testing season is right around the corner, and this is your child’s chance to jump in, see where they’re at, and track their progress like a real high-performance athlete. It’s not about being the fastest or strongest — it’s about showing up, trying hard, and watching those numbers improve year after year. 

North Zone Testing takes place at U of A Butterdome on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM — open to U14+ https://www.alpinepoints.ca/events/#5821

South Zone Testing takes place at CSI Calgary (Markin Macphail Centre), October 25 for U14s and October 26 for U16 & FIS, with 2-hour time slots assigned on October 23. https://www.alpinepoints.ca/events/#5855

Testing helps athletes connect effort to results. When they can see their improvement from one season to the next, it reinforces that hard work truly pays off — and that progress isn’t random, it’s earned. It also gives coaches a clear picture of what each athlete needs. Instead of guessing who needs what training, testing provides objective data that allows us to train smarter, not harder. Just as importantly, it plays a huge role in injury prevention. Many ski-related injuries are caused by imbalances or fatigue, and testing allows us to identify potential issues before they become setbacks. The more consistently we test, the better we can support each athlete’s long-term development with confidence and care.

What’s really exciting is that your child will be part of something bigger. The tests administered are modelled after the famous Norwegian “Ironman” test, originally introduced from the U.S. and then refined in Norway by sports scientist Rob Reid, a benchmark now used by the world’s top alpine racers. Canada has adapted that same philosophy into our national system through the Alpine Canada Fitness Testing Protocol, allowing us to collect standardized data from U14 all the way to the World Cup.

The scores recorded now will help set the benchmarks for future generations of Alberta athletes. This isn’t just testing — it’s the start of a performance journey they’ll be able to look back on with pride. Let’s get them on the board!

Cites:

https://ltad.alpinecanada.org/uploads/documents/ACA_Fitness_Testing_Protocol_-_final_draft.pdf

https://skiracing.com/this-is-not-only-a-test-the-norwegian-ironman-was-born-in-the-usa

North Zone AP Event https://www.alpinepoints.ca/events/#5821

South Zone AP Event https://www.alpinepoints.ca/events/#5855

Patrick Gillespie has announced his retirement after nearly five years of dedicated service with AASA. We are grateful for Pat’s leadership and many contributions during his tenure, and we wish him the very best in his retirement.

Greg Sylvestre will be stepping in as part-time Interim Director, Partnerships & Stakeholder Relations. In this role, he will focus on strengthening our relationships with sponsors and stakeholders, supporting fundraising initiatives, and exploring new opportunities for revenue growth.

Greg is a CPA and previously served as a partner at Baker Tilly RSG in Cold Lake. He also brings a deep understanding of our organization, having served on our Board from 2016 to 2022, including as Chair in 2020–2021. Greg and his family have been deeply connected to our community; his son Nathan was a member of our provincial ski team. Greg’s combination of professional expertise and firsthand knowledge of our work makes him a strong fit for this interim role.

Please join us in welcoming Greg to the team.

August 21st, 2025
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting (the “Meeting”) of the
Members of Alberta Alpine Ski Association (the “Society”), will be held Thursday, the 2nd
day of October 2025, at the hour of 6:00 PM (Mountain Time) for the following purposes:

1. To receive the report of the Chairman of the Society;
2. To receive the report of the President of the Society;
3. To receive and consider the financial statements of the Society for the fiscal year
   ended June 30, 2025, together with the auditors’ report thereon;
4. To elect Directors of the Society;
5. To transact such other business as may properly be transacted at such Meeting or at
   any adjournment thereof.
   
   The on-line meeting format will be Zoom
   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84736099122?pwd=G1mZjLvBWhwo1zB8oYzajDcaYbNoiR.1
   Meeting ID: 847 3609 9122
   Passcode: 207291
   
   CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
   
   Call for AASA Board of Directors Nominations: Alberta Alpine
   
   The AASA Board of directors has appointed Paul Boskovich to chair the 2025/26 Nominating
   Committee.
   
   The Alberta Alpine Ski Association is seeking nominations for the election of the 2025/26
   Board of Directors on Thursday, the 2nd day of October 2025, at the hour of 6:00 PM
   (Mountain Time).
   
   There is one nominated Director position up for election for a two-year term.
   
   Member Clubs have the right to submit nominations of Paid-Up Members for election as a
   Director of the Association to the Nominating Committee provided that such nominations are
   received by the nominating committee at least 14 days prior to the AGM and each
   nomination is accompanied by the written consent of the Paid-Up Member nominated.

We are thrilled to unveil the Alberta Ski Team for the 2025/2026 season! These athletes represent the very best of ski racing in our province, setting the standard for excellence and inspiring the next generation of racers. Their determination, grit, and passion for the sport have earned them a place on this team, and we couldn’t be more proud.

With the support of our dedicated staff, Board, and stakeholders, Alberta Alpine is committed to providing these athletes with the environment, resources, and opportunities they need to reach their full potential—whether that’s advancing to the Canadian Development Team or achieving success on the world stage.

This season is all about chasing dreams, breaking barriers, and celebrating every step of the journey. We can’t wait to see what this incredible group will accomplish!

The 4th Annual Skis & Hearts Athlete Fundraiser is back.

When: Sept 4, 2025. 4-7pm
Where: Southern Alberta Pioneer Building. 3625 – 4 Street SW, Calgary, AB.
Cost: $10/person
Contact: skisandhearts@gmail.com

Your local Canadian Ski Team Athletes are hosting their annual Skis and Hearts fundraiser to help cover costs of their season.  They can’t express enough how much your support means to them and they hope to make everyone proud this season!.

Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-ajaYB-Kaxe6XnNgHdrGBwnv_FDePrvkxGgco6TxiC6Y8zw/viewform

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.

The 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