Alberta Alpine is excited to announce we’ve received significant grant funding from the Government of Alberta through the Every Kid Can Play program, helping make sport and recreation more accessible to Alberta youth and their families. 

This two-year investment will support the launch of First Tracks – Skiers for Life, a new Alberta Alpine initiative designed to help more young Albertans discover alpine skiing, develop their skills, and build a lifelong connection to the sport.

Through First Tracks, eligible entry-level athletes will receive support to help them get started with a local Alberta Alpine member club, including:

• A credit toward Alberta Alpine registration and age-appropriate event fees
• Connections to a local Alberta Alpine member club
• Qualified coaching in a fun, supportive club environment

The goal is simple: help more children experience the joy of skiing while building skills, friendships, confidence and a lifelong love of the sport.

Program details, including eligibility, will be announced in the coming weeks as arrangements with participating clubs are finalized. Watch for our next Inside Track newsletter on October 1^st for more information!

With the ski season just around the corner, one of the biggest pieces of work happening behind the scenes at Alberta Alpine is something most athletes and families only see once it is finished: building the competition calendar.

Putting together a provincial calendar is much more than simply finding a weekend and assigning a race to a hill. It is a balancing act involving ski resorts, clubs, coaches, officials, athletes, national and provincial projects, school schedules, travel, snow conditions, and the calendars of other provinces and national organizations.

But before dates are even discussed, there is a more fundamental question: what should competition look like at each stage of an athlete’s development?

It Starts with Athlete Development

The number of race starts available to athletes at each age level is not accidental. Alberta Alpine’s approach to competition is strongly influenced by the principles of Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) and by philosophies that have been developed and refined over many years through the work of our age-class working groups.

At every stage of development, competition should serve a purpose. The needs of a U12 athlete learning to become a strong, versatile skier are very different from those of a U16 athlete developing their racing skills, or a FIS athlete preparing to compete at the national and international level.

For our younger athletes, the focus is on building a broad foundation. This means prioritizing fundamental skiing skills, athletic literacy, movement development and exposure to a variety of skiing experiences. Competition is an important part of that process, but more racing is not always better. There needs to be a balance between training, free skiing, skill development and competition.

As athletes move through the age classes, the role of competition gradually changes. Athletes need opportunities to apply their skills under pressure, learn how to manage the demands of racing and experience different disciplines, venues and competitive environments. At the same time, the calendar needs to provide enough flexibility for continued training and development rather than simply creating a race every available weekend.

By the time athletes reach the U16 and FIS levels, the competition pathway becomes increasingly important. Athletes need an appropriate number of starts to develop experience, build their skills and progress toward provincial, national, and international opportunities.

These principles have been discussed extensively over the years through Alberta Alpine’s age-class working groups. The result is a philosophy around competition that recognizes there is no single number of race starts that is appropriate for every athlete or every stage of development.

The calendar is therefore designed around appropriate opportunities, rather than simply maximizing the number of races. The goal is to create enough competition to support development while leaving room for quality training, recovery, other sports and a healthy balance throughout the season.

This philosophy becomes one of the starting points for building the calendar. Once we understand what we are trying to provide for athletes at each age level, we can begin the complicated process of determining where and when those opportunities can take place.

It Starts with the Big Picture

The calendar process begins by looking at the larger Canadian and international competition calendar.

National events, NorAm races, FIS competitions, Canada Winter Games, Canadian National Championships and other major events all need to be considered first. From there, we work backwards to determine where Alberta’s provincial events can best fit.

This becomes particularly challenging because Alberta athletes compete across a wide range of ages and levels. A weekend that works well for a U14 event may not work for a FIS race, and a weekend that looks open on the calendar may already be heavily committed for clubs, coaches or volunteers.

We also need to consider travel. Alberta is a large province, and asking families and clubs to travel long distances every weekend isn’t realistic. Whenever possible, we try to build logical blocks into the calendar so that athletes can get quality competition without creating unnecessary travel demands.

We also have to consider the overall rhythm of the season. Where possible, we want to avoid creating long stretches where athletes are constantly racing without enough opportunity to train, while also ensuring there are sufficient competition opportunities at the right times of the year.

Working with our Clubs and Resorts

Once the larger calendar starts to take shape, the conversations with clubs and resorts really begin.

Every race requires a tremendous amount of work from volunteers. Hosting a competition means organizing officials, course crews, timing, registration, food, awards, accommodation and countless other details.

At the same time, resorts have their own operational demands. Hill availability, snowmaking, terrain, grooming, commercial operations and other events all have to be considered.

The final calendar is therefore a product of a lot of conversations and compromise. It is not unusual for dates to move several times before everything comes together.

Our goal is always to build a calendar that provides quality opportunities for athletes while recognizing the reality that Alberta’s racing system depends heavily on the commitment of clubs, resorts and volunteers.

Looking Ahead to 2026–27

There is a lot to be excited about in Alberta this season, with several additions and returning events designed to create more opportunities for athletes at every level.

A New U12 Skills Award

One of the new additions this season is the U12 Skills Award, which is designed to recognize the development of fundamental skiing skills alongside competition results.

Rather than adding another competition to an already busy schedule, athletes will complete the skills assessment through their home club and submit their results to Alberta Alpine. This allows coaches to work with their athletes in a familiar training environment and gives clubs an important role in recognizing skill development.

Athletes will complete the required skills during the season, with awards presented later in the year.

At U12, developing strong fundamental skiing skills is critical. The Skills Award is intended to celebrate athletes who are building those foundations and progressing as skiers—not simply those who are finishing fastest.

More FIS Racing in Alberta

We are also excited to see more FIS racing opportunities in Alberta this season.

Increasing the number of FIS GMC Cup Series starts in the province gives our older athletes more opportunities to compete at a high level without always having to travel outside Alberta. It also provides valuable opportunities for volunteers and officials to participate in the FIS environment while strengthening the overall competition pathway within the province.

Canadian National Championship Returns to Nakiska

One of the biggest highlights of the season will be the return of the Canadian National Championship to Nakiska.

Hosting a national championship in Alberta is a significant opportunity for our athletes, coaches, clubs and volunteers. It allows Alberta athletes to compete on home snow against the best in the country, while also showcasing the quality of our venues and the strength of our alpine community.

Events of this scale take an enormous amount of planning and volunteer support, and we are looking forward to seeing the Alberta ski community come together to make it a great championship.

FIS Downhill Returns to Nakiska

We are also excited to see the return of downhill racing to Nakiska as part of the Spring Series.

Over the past several years, these races have become a cornerstone of the calendar for many athletes across the country. The demand for the events has been a strong reflection of the quality of racing and the experience that Nakiska provides, with the races being over quota for the past three consecutive years.

The popularity of these events speaks to the growing interest in providing quality opportunities for developing athletes. Downhill is an important part of athlete development, giving athletes the opportunity to build confidence, learn speed skills and experience the unique demands of the discipline in a controlled and competitive environment.

The Spring Series has also become a great way to finish the season, bringing athletes from across the country together for quality racing and an opportunity to continue developing their speed skills late in the season.

We are excited to welcome athletes back to Nakiska this spring and look forward to continuing to build on what has become one of the hallmark events on the calendar.

More U12 Racing Opportunities

The U12 schedule will also see the addition of another SL/GS event, giving our youngest racers more opportunities to experience different courses and race environments throughout the season.

At U12, the emphasis should be on developing confident, versatile skiers who enjoy competition and want to keep coming back. More opportunities to race, combined with the new Skills Award, are intended to support that broader development rather than focusing solely on results.

A Calendar Built Around Development

Ultimately, the calendar is a reflection of what we believe is important for athlete development.

The number of race starts at each age level, the disciplines offered, the timing of events and the overall rhythm of the season are all considered through that lens.

We want young athletes to have enough opportunities to compete without creating an overly demanding schedule. We want our U14 and U16 athletes to experience a variety of disciplines and venues while continuing to develop the skills that will support them as they progress. We want our FIS athletes to have strong opportunities to race at home and prepare for the next level of competition. And we want clubs to be able to host quality events without placing an unreasonable burden on their volunteers.

There is no perfect calendar, and every season involves compromises. But the work that goes into building it is guided by years of discussion, experience and a shared philosophy about what will best support the long-term development of Alberta athletes.

As we head into the 2026–27 season, there is a lot on the horizon to be excited about. The calendar may look like a simple list of dates when it is published but, behind every one of those dates, is a significant amount of planning, coordination and discussion about how each event fits into the bigger picture of athlete development.

Most importantly, it represents a tremendous amount of collaboration between Alberta Alpine, our clubs, resorts, coaches, officials and volunteers, all working together to give Alberta athletes the opportunity to develop, compete and enjoy the sport.

Europe, August-September Camp #1

Unfortunately, our first camp in Saas-Fee did not go as originally planned due to the exceptionally warm weather this summer. The entire summer in Europe was abnormally hot and dry, resulting in the closure of even one of the highest glacier ski resorts. Saas-Fee has been closed since August 10, with no reliable prediction at the time regarding when the glacier would reopen.

As soon as we received the first update from Saas-Fee that the glacier would remain closed from August 10 until further notice, we immediately began organizing an alternative plan.

In this difficult situation, we were able to secure indoor training in Landgraaf, Netherlands. We had no choice but to relocate and spent 10 days there. Mentally and physically, it was challenging to train SL twice a day on the same slope. Despite the difficult circumstances, all of the athletes adapted very well and made significant progress by the end of the training period.

After Landgraaf, we continued to search intensively for other training options while the Saas-Fee glacier remained closed. Through our connections with European coaches, we were able to secure six days of GS training at the private glacier training area operated by Karl-Heinz in Stelvio.

We had only four days to organize everything before we could start training there. From a logistics standpoint, we decided to stay at our travel hotel, Alter Wirt, in Munich. This also gave everyone some valuable time to recover and relax, combined with a few dryland training sessions.

The Stelvio glacier training at Karl-Heinz operates differently from a normal ski area. Training starts very early in the morning, with cats transporting the athletes up the glacier. We had excellent, firm snow conditions and were able to complete approximately 28 GS turns per run, with 10–12 runs per day. It was a very productive training block.

The team returned home September 7^th after 3 weeks away. Despite the challenges we faced during Camp #1, we managed to complete 15 days on snow on a very hard and consistent surface. As a team, we believe we handled the situation very well. The athletes’ flexibility, commitment, and positive attitude allowed us to make the most of what was undoubtedly a very demanding summer training period.

Overall, the training was productive, and the athletes made good progress throughout the camp. Their willingness to adapt, work hard, and stay positive through difficult conditions was a key factor in making the camp a success.

Everything we accomplished here was done the hard way, from icy indoor SL training to moderate and difficult terrain on hard, icy glacier surfaces. Using cats instead of lifts to transport the athletes added yet another layer of complexity. Sometimes taking the harder route can have a positive effect. It may take longer, require more patience, and demand more work, but the results can be stronger in the end. We will see how everything comes together during the upcoming fall season and preseason training.

For now, we are very pleased with how the athletes responded to the challenges and with the progress they made throughout the camp.

ACA Speed Camp, Chile

The CAST Development Team invited Graeme Cliff to join the World Cup (WC) Speed Team for training in Chile at El Colorado and La Parva.

Graeme had a great camp and gained very valuable experience training alongside the WC Speed Team. The opportunity provided him with important exposure to a high-level of training. Graeme has also been invited to join the team for the full training period in November.

Looking Ahead – October Camp #2, November Pre-season training

We have also had to make some changes to the upcoming October camp.

Based on the current weather forecast for Europe, with no significant change expected, limited snowfall, and continued warm temperatures, we have decided to travel to Saas-Fee instead of Hintertux. The Saas-Fee glacier is significantly higher and offers a better possibility of finding suitable snow conditions for our training.

Ahead of that, the team travelling to Wittenberg, Germany, as originally planned, for 5 days of indoor SL training with 2 sessions per day.

We expect the second camp will continue to provide a positive and productive training environment for the team.

Pre-season Back Home

Shortly after the second Europe camp, our program is scheduled for Nakiska, with a primary focus on speed training. We expect 3–4 athletes to have the opportunity to train alongside the National Team.

The remainder of the group will stay focused on technical training and head to Mt. Sima, YukonNovember 9–15. There will be 4 days of technical training in GS and SL, followed by 2 days of FIS races in GS and SL at the end of the trip.

At the end of November, the AST will attend the Panorama camp, training alongside the National Development Team and all BC, ON, and QC Provincial Team athletes.

Every training session and FIS race will provide a valuable indication of how our athletes compare to the other athletes in the group. The Panorama block will help set the tone for the season and give us a clearer picture of how competitive we are, both as a group and individually. It will also provide an opportunity to see how each athlete responds to skiing and competing in some early-season events with their peers.

Peter Rybarik is Head Coach of the Alberta Ski Team. Read his bio >>

See the 2026-27 Alberta race calendar here and follow our Alberta Ski Team!

When we talk about developing great ski racers, the conversation often starts with skiing.

How well does an athlete move? How strong is their technique? How fast can they ski? How do they perform under pressure?

But underneath all of those things is another critical piece of the equation: physical fitness.

Alpine skiing places enormous demands on the body. Athletes need strength, power, endurance, coordination, balance and the ability to repeatedly produce high levels of force while maintaining technical precision. Fitness doesn’t replace good skiing, but it provides the physical foundation that allows athletes to develop and apply those skills.

This is one of the reasons Alberta Alpine is placing an increased emphasis on the Alpine Canada Fitness Combine, a national standard for assessing the physical qualities that are important for alpine ski racing.

A National Standard for Physical Development

The ACA Fitness Combine was developed to provide a standardized way of assessing the physical qualities that are important for alpine ski racing. The goal is not simply to determine who is “fit” and who isn’t. Instead, the Combine gives athletes, coaches and programs a consistent way to measure physical development and track progress over time.

The testing protocol looks at a broad range of physical qualities, including aerobic capacity, strength, power, coordination, muscular endurance and athleticism. Alpine Canada has developed age and gender-specific performance standards so that athletes can be assessed against appropriate benchmarks as they progress through the development pathway.

This is important because an athlete’s physical development changes dramatically throughout adolescence. A U12 athlete should not be expected to demonstrate the same physical capabilities as a U16 athlete, and the testing pathway reflects those stages of development.

The Combine is therefore not about comparing a 12-year-old to a 21-year-old. It is about asking: Where is this athlete today, and are they progressing toward the physical qualities needed for the next stage of their development?

Why Fitness Matters in Ski Racing

Alpine skiing is a technically demanding sport, but technical development does not happen in isolation.

An athlete who lacks the strength or endurance to tolerate training volume may struggle to develop technically. An athlete who lacks power may have difficulty generating the forces required to ski effectively. An athlete with poor coordination or movement quality may find it harder to execute increasingly complex technical skills.

Alpine Canada notes that physical fitness can either support or inhibit technical development because it influences an athlete’s ability to tolerate the training volumes required at different stages of development.

This is particularly important as athletes move through the U14 and U16 age groups and begin to take on greater training demands.

The objective isn’t to turn young ski racers into weightlifters or endurance athletes. The objective is to develop athletes who can ski—strong, coordinated, powerful and resilient athletes who have the physical tools to continue developing their skiing.

The Combine as a Development Tool

One of the most important things to understand about the Fitness Combine is that it is not simply a test that athletes “pass” or “fail.”

The results provide coaches with information.

An athlete might demonstrate excellent lower-body power but have an area of weakness in aerobic capacity. Another athlete might have strong endurance but need to improve upper-body strength or coordination.

Those results can then help coaches and athletes identify where training should be focused.

The value becomes even greater when the Combine is repeated over time. Instead of looking at a single score, we can begin to see an athlete’s trajectory.

Are they getting stronger? Are they becoming more powerful? Is their endurance improving? Are they closing gaps in areas where they were previously behind?

That long-term view is one of the most important aspects of the program.

Alpine Canada’s national system is designed to collect data over time and build normative trends across different ages and stages of development. This allows the Combine to become part of a broader, continuous athlete-development pathway.

A Shift Toward Accountability

For Alberta Alpine, we also see an opportunity to take the Combine one step further.

As athletes progress into higher levels of the sport, the physical demands increase significantly. At some point, being physically prepared is not simply beneficial—it becomes necessary to safely and effectively participate in higher-level training and competition.

Beginning this season, minimum Fitness Combine scores will be required for athletes participating in a number of Alberta Alpine and national-level projects.

These requirements will apply to athletes seeking participation in:

• Canada Winter Games selection (U16)
• U16 National Projects, including Whistler Cup
• Alberta Alpine U16 Projects
• Alberta Alpine FIS Projects

The intention is not to create another barrier for athletes. Rather, it is to establish a clear expectation that athletes progressing into these programs are developing the physical qualities required to benefit from the opportunities being provided.

Selection to a higher-level project comes with increased training volume, greater competition demands and higher expectations. We believe athletes should be physically prepared to meet those demands.

Start Preparing Early

The important message for athletes and families is that this should not be something athletes begin thinking about immediately before a selection deadline.

Physical development takes time.

The Combine provides athletes and coaches with an opportunity to identify areas for improvement well before those areas become limiting factors. Clubs can use the results to help guide dryland programming, while athletes can take ownership of their own development.

The national guidance recommends that clubs and provinces use the Combine regularly and as a baseline for physical development.

For athletes with ambitions of progressing through the Alberta Alpine pathway, the message is simple:

Don’t train for the test. Train to become the athlete the test is designed to measure.

What Success Looks Like

Success with the Fitness Combine shouldn’t be defined only by achieving a particular score.

A successful athlete is one who is continually developing.

For some athletes, that may mean moving from below a benchmark to meeting it. For others, it may mean progressing from meeting a standard to performing at a much higher level. For an athlete who is already physically strong, it may mean maintaining that level while continuing to develop technically and tactically.

The goal is long-term development.

We want Alberta athletes to graduate from each age group not only as better ski racers, but as better athletes—with the strength, power, endurance, coordination and physical literacy required to continue progressing.

Building a Stronger Pathway

The Fitness Combine is one piece of a much larger athlete-development system.

It connects clubs, Alberta Alpine and Alpine Canada through a common language for physical development. It gives coaches better information. It gives athletes measurable goals. And it provides programs with a clearer picture of whether athletes are physically prepared for the demands of the next stage.

Most importantly, it reinforces something we have been emphasizing throughout our long-term athlete development work:

Performance is built over time.

The athletes who succeed at the highest levels are not simply the ones who ski the fastest today. They are the athletes who consistently develop the physical, technical, tactical and mental qualities required to continue progressing.

The ACA Fitness Combine gives us another tool to help make that development visible, measurable and intentional.

It’s a once-a-year test in the fall. The South Zone Fitness Combine is administered by CSI Calgary with U14 athletes testing on the Saturday and U16+FIS testing on Sunday.  The North Zone Fitness Combine is coordinated by the ANSRS group.  Both serve as a season kick-off and provide a chance to reconnect with athletes from other teams in the same zone…and see how they measure up going in to the ski season!

For athletes aspiring to represent Alberta at the Canada Winter Games, compete in U16 national projects such as Whistler Cup, or participate in Alberta Alpine U16 and FIS projects, the expectation is clear: physical preparation is part of being ready to take the next step.

The work starts long before selection day, it starts at home and at the club.

Updated September 7th, 2026

Original Post: August 26st, 2026

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting (the “Meeting”) of the
Members of Alberta Alpine Ski Association (the “Society”) will be held Wednesday, the 7th
day of October 2026, at the hour of 5:00 PM (Mountain Time) for the following purposes:

1. To receive the report of the Chair of the Society;
2. To receive and consider the financial statements of the Society for the fiscal year ended
   June 30, 2026, together with the auditors’ report thereon;
3. To elect Directors of the Society;
4. 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/88186401909?pwd=G1f92sdbNTwGdrk6GsuWWcarR6YQQW.1
   • Meeting ID: 881 8640 1909
   • Passcode: 579141
     
     
     

CALL FOR AASA BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOMINATIONS

The AASA Board of Directors has appointed Greg Milne to chair the 2026-2027 Nominating
Committee.

The Alberta Alpine Ski Association is seeking nominations for the election of the 2026-2027
Board of Directors on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 5:00 PM (Mountain Time).

There are two nominated Director positions 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.

The Alberta Alpine 2026-2027 registration season is well underway with a total of 37 clubs offering programs for the upcoming winter.

For those new to this ski racing community, you may be wondering about the role of the Alberta Alpine Ski Association, and how it differs from your ski club. Alberta Alpine Ski Association is the organization that governs alpine ski racing in the province of Alberta. Alberta Alpine Ski Association (AASA) has a proud history, tradition, and culture of inspiring excellence in our communities, and enhancing the lives of Albertans through the sport of alpine and ski cross racing. The organization supports the athletic development of competitive members aged U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, U19, FIS, and Masters, and operates the high-performance Alberta Ski Team. We promote and govern fair play, sportsmanship, education, good citizenship, and personal growth for all members and all ages. Alberta Alpine also supports:

• The training of Officials and Coaches within our system;
• Recognizes the accomplishments of our athletes through ribbons, medals and trophies supplied and awarded throughout the season’s race calendar; and,
• Event presence and race support in terms of race bibs, gate panels and banners.

There are several direct benefits of AASA membership to be aware of as well including a variety of perks offered by our sponsors and partners which we’ll update and publish early this fall. Stay tuned for announcements as new 2026/27 benefits come onboard!  Your Alberta Alpine membership also includes general liability insurance coverage for clubs and individuals participating in any club activities, on or off snow.

We are happy to report that we are seeing consistent numbers overall in our membership registrations so far compared to this time last year, and there are indications we will see new growth as the registration window remains open. Our broadest athlete category is always Entry Level (U10 and younger), but we are seeing consistent numbers throughout all age groups and growth of the university program at UCalgary (Dinos). The Masters-level ski clubs, for adult racers, is represented by a large contingent, and Alberta Alpine also has members attending and racing at NCAA schools.

Many of our older athletes, particularly those racing in the FIS category (age 16+) at provincial and national-level competitions, completed registration early, ahead of attending summer training camps wherever they can find snow. You can read about the Alberta Ski Team training taking place right now in Europe >>.

FIS athletes granted CWSAA passes for this upcoming season will be advised of next steps this week from their home clubs.

As registration for the 2026-27 season continues, be sure to note your local club’s registration deadlines so you and your family don’t miss out! If you have questions about registration and/or program details, start by contacting your local club’s registrar. You can also contact memberservices@albertaalpine.ca and we’ll help point you in the right direction for this season!

The 2026-27 Alberta Ski Team has a squad of 11 athletes currently training in Europe. There’s a lot of distance involved in order to find good on-snow opportunities in August!

We checked in with coaches and athletes after their first week in Landgraaf in the southern Netherlands to see how things were going.

Coach Kyle Buchanan had this to say about the challenges of arranging (and re-arranging) training plans around a closed glacier:

One week prior to our scheduled departure to Saas Fee, Switzerland we received word that the glacier will close immediately due to warming temperatures and increasing rain. This is not news anyone wants to hear one week before flying across the world. Peter, Phil, Josh and I got together and began discussing alternative options; not skiing was not an option in our minds.

We divided and conquered. Phil began emailing and calling resorts and teams in South America, Peter was looking into European options and logistics on the ground there. I was responsible for checking into all indoor skiing options.

Ultimately, we had to pivot away from Saas Fee and were fortunate enough to secure a last-minute booking at Snow World Landgraaf. It was awesome to see the staff work together so quickly and put together plan B. Thanks to the athletes for being patient and trusting in us to come up with alternative options.

Going forward, we are still unsure when Saas Fee will open, we remain hopeful and are checking weather forecasts and webcams almost hourly. The coaching staff and I continue to work through various scenarios depending on where we can ski. Everyone back home, cross your fingers for us!

We asked the rest of the coaching staff to comment on some of the highlights of the training so far:

We are in the early days of camp; it is exciting to see the energy within this group. All the athletes are motivated and ready to work. – Peter Rybarik

We have a big group of athletes new to the AST this season, it takes time for everyone to adapt and get used to a new style of coaching and training. So far everyone has done an excellent job. It is exciting to see the senior athletes step into leadership roles and help the new crew adjust to our team structure. – Phil Pike

And the athletes all had something to share about the trip so far, both off snow…

“Travel is a necessary part of the game. As always, it makes for a long day. From home in Calgary to our accommodation in Landgraaf it was about 32 hours. Once we arrived, unpacked and got settled everyone was eager for a shower and bed. Unfortunately, our accommodation did not have towels! Thanks to the coaches for sorting that out first thing in the morning.” – Loren Hannema

“What a town! Folks were happy to see us and didn’t believe we were here from Canada to ski indoors! At the grocery store the employee at the till thought we were lying.” – Graydyn Swanson

“The first day we didn’t ski until noon, it was great. We had the opportunity to sleep in and recover after a couple of long travel days. A few of us went for a jog to shake out the legs and get ready to ski” – Sofia Stanier

“Our last camp was in May where we shut down the Alberta winter at Sunshine. It feels like a long time ago now.” – Emma Suman

…and training on snow at SnowWorld Landgraaf, Europe’s largest indoor ski slope:

The days go by so fast. Only skiing for 4 hours a day may not seem like much, but between skiing, ski prep, video review, dryland and meals, the days do not seem long enough. – Eric Ward

Asked to describe how you have to adjust to the indoor surface, we got some great intel from a couple of the returning AST athletes:

The ice surface gives you instant feedback. When you are not in the right position it feels nearly impossible to ski let alone race on a surface like this. Initially it was challenging and somewhat intimidating, but after our first few sessions it began to feel more normal. Mentally I had to stop thinking about the ice and ski it like it was normal snow surface. – Cole Merrett

It is my first time skiing indoors. As a skier who has notoriously struggled on icy surfaces, indoor skiing poses some initial fear. As our camp continues to progress, this fear has completely vanished. The indoor surface is much different than expected. Here is really grippy and offers a sustainable hard surface to push off. It only took a couple hours of drills and skiing to feel right at home in the surface. I have found that acting like the surface isn’t even ice and not looking down at the ground helps me feel more comfortable. William Puloski

“It’s cold! In the ski area temperatures are roughly -5 or -6 degrees, but the humidity makes it feel like Quebec cold! Snow World offers both snow lanes and ice lanes, it is nice to have the option and progress and build up onto the ice” – Thomas Cais

His teammate echoed that sentiment when asked, ‘if you could have a package sent overnight from home, what would be in it? Are you missing anything you’re used to having?’

“More layers! It’s chilly in the fridge” – Noemi Brooks

What are you doing training-wise off snow while you’re there?

“Recovery is our number 1 focus day to day; we try to stay as fresh as possible going into each session. After skiing the team will usually get together and play some sort of game. Last night we had a wicked soccer game, Peter’s team took the win. Spike Ball is another one of the team’s favorites. We are in touch with Nathan, our Strength and Conditioning Coach, from CSI in Calgary. He has provided a training and recovery plan that our coaches here on the ground can work through with us on a day-to-day basis.” – Gavin Johnson

Due to the last-minute changes to the plan, the team stayed in apartments for the first few days and did their own cooking. We asked who showed signs of chef talent, and who is destined for the dish pit!?

“At this point on the girl’s side things are equal, we have all been pulling our own weight in the kitchen. I don’t think we can say the same for the boys.” – Jess McLellan

“Tacos are always my go to. Ground beef, seasoning, lettuce, tomato; it’s simple to slap together and is always a hit with the boys” – Gavin Johnson

Then after a few days, they moved to stay at Snow World.

“At Snow World Landgraaf, everything we need is under one roof. Our hotel, restaurant, ski area, tuning room and gym are all in the same building. It is super convenient and allows us to focus 100% on the job – skiing. Without the hassle of commuting to and from I can dedicate more time to the little jobs that make a huge difference. The biggest one for me is video review, sitting down with the coaches nightly to review the days work is one of the biggest game changers” – Cole Merrett

One struggle so far has been finding time to be outside in the sun. Here everything is under one roof. It is super convenient and efficient but also can feel like we are stuck inside. Everyday I have made time to be outside and get some fresh air. – Loren Hannema

Where do you go from here/what does the next training block look like?

“From here we are set to go up to Saas Fee. Unfortunately, the weather has not been cooperating, and the glacier is shut down for summer skiing at this point in time. Our coaches have been keeping their ears to the ground and are working through different contingency plans in the event the glacier does not reopen while we are here. It is an uneasy feeling to not have the next training block totally locked in, but I can only control what I can control. All I can do is my job and trust our coaches to make the best decisions going forward for the team.” – William Puloski

What’s the elevation in Langraff? How will that change over the course of camp and how might that affect the training?

Landgraaf is nearly at sea level. After all the summer training the athletes feel strong at this low elevation. When we head back up to Saas Fee we will be living at 2800m and skiing at 3600m. For the first few days everything feels a bit more difficult, even walking up the stairs. In my experience at elevation the first few nights of sleep are rather difficult, but once the body becomes accustomed to it, we are good to go. – Gavin Johnson

Thanks to the 2026-27 Alberta Ski Team for this peek into a unique training opportunity as they prepare for another winter of competition. Follow them on Instagram @albertaskiteam and learn more about each of these young athletes and their coaches here.

Watch for more camp updates from Europe, plus highlights from Chile where the 12^th member of the squad, Graeme Cliff, will be joining Canadian team athletes for some speed training.

The Selection Committee also seeking new members.

Ski racing is built on the foundation of hard work. A daily effort on the snow. Behind every alpine ski race, within every program is the enormous contribution of many volunteers, officials and sport leaders, who work tirelessly to provide great programs, run ski races and ensure the administration and leadership of our sport gives our athletes every opportunity to succeed.

The purpose of the Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame is to recognize those individuals who have invested their time, their passion and their enthusiasm to build our sport, lift our clubs and give athletes the chance to aim for the highest levels.

Nominations for the Class of 2026 are now open. This is your chance to nominate an individual you feel is deserving of recognition by the Alpine Ski Racing Family in the Canadian Rockies.

The Hall of Fame selection panel welcomes nominees in up to five categories:

• Builder
• Volunteer
• Official
• Athlete – Alberta Ski Team and/or Canadian Ski Team alumnus
• President’s Award, for special merit

The Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame honors those who have worked so hard for our athletes. Historically, Hall of Fame inductees are recognized at the annual Highest Peak Gala in the autumn.

Former inductees can be found here: https://albertaalpine.ca/canadian-rockies-ski-hall-of-fame/

Nominations will be accepted until August 31, 2026 – To nominate a deserving individual, provide a brief summary of no more than one page outlining the accomplishments and duration of commitment as well as contact information for both nominee and nominator. Email information to: memberservices@albertaalpine.ca

The Nominating Committee is seeking interested individuals who would be keen to join the committee. The committee meets roughly 4-5 times a year to consider nominations and recommend to the Alberta Alpine Board. Please forward a brief outline of your background and your contacts.

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For more information:

Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame
Email: memberservices@albertaalpine.ca

It was amazing to see a great turnout at the Stampede Warm Up Party! It is always a scramble for me to get this organized, but the last-minute push for tickets and raffle prizes came together. Thank you so much to everyone who came out to support the event and Alberta Alpine. It truly is an honour for me to put this on and give back to the sport that I love so much. I think it’s important for our ski community to have chances to connect off the hill and for alumni, current racers and everyone who has had ski racing leave a positive impact on their life try to find ways to make sure the next generation of racers has the chance to fall in love and learn from sport. We need to continue to be creative in how we approach fundraising and create opportunities for people to support at an approachable price point. We were lucky to have another year of amazing raffle and door prizes! A big thank you goes out to all those who contributed to the raffle (there was over $10,000 in prizes which is mind blowing!!). Some of our prizes come from my partners from my athlete days, but a good chunk come from our community, which is incredible to see. 

This event, and the opportunity to give back to Alberta Alpine is something that makes me proud and excited. It’s a lot of work to get a fundraiser off the ground; seeing it all come together and have so many people come out and spend their hard-earned money and valuable time to support the sport we love is incredible. Our early numbers look like we will have raised over $5,000 for Alberta Alpine which is outstanding! Again a huge thanks to everyone who supported the event, especially our sponsors Western Elite & Raymond James Mission Wealth! I look forward to seeing everyone back next year! 

Alberta Alpine is proud to announce the athletes selected to the 2026/2027 Alberta Ski Team.

Selection to the Alberta Ski Team represents one of the highest achievements within Alberta’s ski racing pathway. These athletes have demonstrated the commitment, work ethic, competitiveness, and dedication required to take the next step in their development as high-performance ski racers.

The Alberta Ski Team is Alberta Alpine’s high-performance development program, designed to prepare Alberta’s top athletes for success at the National and NorAm level, while developing the skills, habits, and values required to pursue future opportunities on the Canadian Alpine Ski Team. The program provides athletes with a full-time training environment, experienced coaching, sport science support, and competitive opportunities that challenge them to continually improve.

The 2026/27 Alberta Ski Team selection process recognizes that athlete development is a journey and that success requires more than individual race results. Athletes are evaluated through a combination of objective performance measures, including World Ranking By Age (WRBA), Head-to-Head results, World Junior Ski Championship selection, and NorAm performance benchmarks. These results are considered alongside coach evaluation and review by the Alberta Alpine High Performance Committee to identify athletes who demonstrate the performance potential, commitment, and qualities required to be successful within the program.

This year’s team represents an exciting combination of experienced returning athletes and emerging talent from across Alberta. Five athletes return for their second season with the Alberta Ski Team, bringing valuable experience gained through a successful 2025/26 season, while seven athletes join the program for the first time after demonstrating the ability and commitment to compete at the next level.

The 2025/26 season was highlighted by strong performances, challenging training environments, and valuable learning experiences both at home and internationally. Alberta Ski Team athletes continued to develop the technical, tactical, physical, and mental skills required for success at the highest levels of alpine ski racing. Their progress reflects not only their individual dedication but also the strength of Alberta’s club system and the commitment of the coaches, families, officials, and volunteers who support athlete development throughout the province.

2026/27 Alberta Ski Team

Women

Athlete	Birth Year	Years on Team	Home Club
Jessica McLellan	2006	New	Banff Alpine Racers
Noemie Brooks	2008	New	Banff Alpine Racers
Sofia Stanier	2008	New	Team Panorama
Emma Suman	2008	New	Team Panorama
Loren Hannema	2008	New	Banff Alpine Racers

Men

Athlete	Birth Year	Years on Team	Home Club
William Puloski	2007	2nd Season	Team Panorama
Graeme Cliff	2007	2nd Season	Team Panorama
Gavin Johnson	2007	2nd Season	Team Panorama
Cole Merrett	2007	2nd Season	Team Panorama
Thomas Cais	2007	2nd Season	Lake Louise Ski Club
Graydyn Swanson	2008	New	Sunshine Ski Club
Eric Ward	2008	New	Team Panorama

2026/27 Coaching Staff

• Peter Rybarik 
• Kyle Buchanan 
• Phil Pike 

The Alberta Ski Team coaching staff is committed to creating an environment where athletes are challenged to reach their potential while developing the technical, tactical, physical, and mental skills required for long-term success in alpine ski racing.

The upcoming season will provide athletes with opportunities to train and compete across North America and internationally, including preparation camps and competition on the FIS and NorAm circuits. Athletes will continue to focus on developing the habits of high-performance athletes, including preparation, accountability, teamwork, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

“Every year, selecting the Alberta Ski Team is an exciting opportunity to recognize athletes who have demonstrated the commitment and determination required to pursue excellence in our sport,” said Alberta Alpine Athletic Director Josh Benge. “This group represents the future of alpine ski racing in Alberta. We are excited to support their continued growth and provide them with the environment and opportunities needed to reach their goals.”

Alberta Alpine would like to recognize the important role played by our athletes’ home clubs in developing these athletes. The foundation created by club coaches, volunteers, officials, and families is essential to the success of the Alberta Ski Team and the continued strength of alpine ski racing in Alberta.

We are excited to follow this team throughout the 2026/27 season as they represent Alberta on the provincial, national, and international stage.

Congratulations to the athletes and coaches of the 2026/27 Alberta Ski Team. We wish you a successful season filled with growth, opportunity, and achievement.

Ski racing in Alberta would not be what it is today without contributions to the skiing community over the years from our coaches, volunteers, officials, and partners throughout the sport.

The Alpine Canada (ACA) Awards of Excellence are intended to celebrate and recognize individuals and organizations that exemplify and align with the values of performance and community. This spring, each provincial sport organization challenged its members to nominate extraordinary candidates in seven categories. Those recognized provincially here in Alberta were also submitted to an independent National Award Selection Committee to determine Alpine Canada’s National Award Winners who will be announced this fall.

We thank all of you who took the time to nominate these outstanding people and organizations within our community, and are proud to announce Alberta’s Awards of Excellence winners:

Provincial Athlete of the Year 

Awarded to one Provincial Team level athlete across all disciplines and measured by overall athletic performance, quantified by podium finishes and overall standings as well as dedication both on and off the snow.  An athlete who strives to continually better performance both technically and physically, and who demonstrates a strong sense of mentorship and/or leadership. Ultimately, a Champion of the Sport.

‘He [won] the overall Men’s title and has a reputation for being an excellent teammate.’

Caleb Brooks, LLSC/AST | Voted 2026 Winner, Alberta Provincial Athlete of the Year

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Alberta Coach of the Year (U14/U16/U18)

The award recognizes outstanding coaching performance by an ACA accredited male or female coach at the U14, U16 and U18 levels. This coach has demonstrated proven success with skill development and athletic progression, produces winning results, leads by example and is recognized as a role model to athletes and other coaches. Demand for the program has continued to grow year over year, and this coach illustrates the highest standards in the profession, the sport and their club program.

She ‘is a role model for athletes, coaches and parents which is a tall order. She was an alpine racer so her mindset adapts to that of the athlete in front of her. She understands their perspectives. As a coach who has moved up through the age categories, Erin understands that alpine skiing is a long game and athletes need to build their foundation to be successful. She is also the parent of four alpine skiers so she empathetically understands the concerns of her team’s parents…Her attitude is inclusive, patient and light-hearted, yet she knows what each athlete needs from her and she coaches them with honest feedback…and [team] results…speak for (themselves)  – the Calgary Alpine U16 program delivers.’

Erin Fynn, CARC | Voted 2026 Winner, Alberta Coach of the Year (U14-18)

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Alberta Coach of the Year (U12 & under)

The award recognizes outstanding coaching performance by an ACA accredited male or female coach, U12 and under (including NGSL entry-level). This coach has demonstrated proven success with a progression of skills acquisition fr younger athletes and consistently illustrates a passion and love for the sport. They lead by example and are recognized as a role model within the ski community, mentoring other coaches and making those around them better.

‘Well-positioned as a leader and mentor to other coaches who are developing and honing their skills, (and she) meets athletes where they’re at and shows them what is possible.’

Charlie Wright, BVQ | Voted 2026 Winner, Alberta Coach of the Year (U12 and under)

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Alberta Volunteer of the Year 

This award recognizes a volunteer in the sport of ski racing who has made an unwavering commitment to the sport throughout the year, demonstrating a strong passion for ski racing, ski programs and the sport in general, and who continually strives to learn more and do better in their work.

‘Highly deserving of the Volunteer of the Year Award for his exceptional contribution to ski racing. He has served every level of the sport…always bringing dedication, expertise, and care to the role. This past year, he served as Chief of Course for multiple races…[at several venues, even] where his own children were not competing, reflecting his selfless commitment to the sport as a whole. A longtime volunteer with his home club, Nakiska Alpine Ski Association, Dan has served on the board in many roles and, as president in recent years, has helped guide the club through difficult times. His passion for ski racing, commitment to learning, and willingness to support clubs across Alberta have made such a significant impact that ski racing in Alberta would not be functioning at its current high level without Dan.’

Dan Jalbert, NASA | Voted 2026 Winner, Alberta Volunteer of the Year

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Alberta Official of the Year 

This award recognizes an official in the sport of ski racing who has made an unwavering commitment to the sport throughout the year, demonstrating a strong passion for ski racing, ski programs and the sport in general, and who continually strives to learn more and do better in their work.

Dave is always on the hill working incredibly hard, supporting the ROC, volunteers and the athletes in their journey. He spends a huge amount of time keeping up to date on the rules and regulations…is approachable and helpful (and) always shares his knowledge and helps others learn about ski racing…He also does all the roles, race admin, timing, TD…and teaches courses so that others can help at races. Dave is endlessly helping behind the scenes, rolling-net, setting up, packing up, and, through the summer, planning the next year’s equipment. Where there’s a race, he is there [regardless of whether his kid is] competing at that race.He’s exactly what you’d want from an official. 

Dave Howard, LLSC | Voted 2026 Winner, Alberta Official of the Year

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Alberta Ski Club of the Year 

The ski racing Club of the Year is awarded to the Alberta Alpine member club that has distinguished itself in providing exceptional ski racing programming, supporting the development of athletic success, and high membership engagement.

Calgary Alpine builds athletes through an incredible coaching program to succeed at U16, FIS and beyond. This can be easily seen in the club’s U16 results in 2026, which included winning half of the podiums at the U16 Western Nationals. …Through no fault of their own, Calgary Alpine is unable to [offer] a FIS team…[though] a lot of their athletes do continue to FIS at various clubs in the area. Their alumni have found success at every level, including Britt Richardson on the National Team, Rebecca Pelkey on the National Development team, and multiple alumni being invited to join the Alberta Ski Team next season. This is a club with incredible spirit, and…an engaged and committed community.

Calgary Alpine Racing Club (CARC) | Voted 2026 Winner, Alberta Ski Club of the Year

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Alberta Ski Resort of the Year 

The Ski Resort of the Year is awarded to an Albertan ski area which has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to Canadian ski racing, through support of local, provincial or national ski racing programs, including training, competition and related activities.

Lake Louise is nominated for the Ski Resort of the Year for its profound dedication to the progression of Canadian ski racing. By consistently providing world-class training environments and hosting high-calibre competitions, the resort serves as a cornerstone for local, provincial, and national programs.

The resort officially opened the Juniper race venue last season, successfully hosting… a total of six Alberta Alpine events, beginning in December and concluding at the end of April. These included the Santa Slalom, FIS Slalom Extravaganza, U14 Speed Camp and Super-G, Doug Meyers Invitational, and the Speed Sisters Camp.

Each of these events required significant operational commitment, including multiple run closures over consecutive days. Lake Louise Ski Resort consistently and generously accommodated these requests, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting ski racing at all levels…also provided consistent access to terrain for daily training and club-led programming ([and this] strong partnership has been instrumental in creating a high-performance environment while also supporting grassroots and development programming.

The resort was also highly engaged in event preparation, allocating grooming and cat time to support course builds, including the construction of starts, jumps, and a mini ski cross track…Through their partnership, flexibility, and investment of resources, Lake Louise Ski Resort played a critical role in ensuring a strong and successful race season for Alberta Alpine.

Lake Louise Ski Resort | Voted 2026 Winner, Alberta Ski Resort of the Year

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Nancy Green Builder Award | Alberta

Awarded annually, this award is intended to recognize an individual’s lifetime contributions to Canadian Ski Racing. Nominations may be submitted by all stakeholders within the Canadian ski racing system.

He has exemplified a lifelong commitment to ski racing and skiing excellence in Canada. A former alpine racer himself, Level 4 coach (and) parent of 3 Sunshine athletes – all three of whom made the Alberta Alpine Ski Team (Molly, Liam and Ben Wallace) and one of whom, Liam Wallace, is currently on the Canadian National Ski Team.

Scott [has repeatedly] demonstrated his unwavering commitment to building ski racing excellence.  Over the course of his career in commercial banking…[he contributed] 10 + years of volunteer service to the Clubs including as President of Speedsters. Post retirement, he continued as a volunteer for the Clubs while being a ski instructor at Banff Sunshine Village.  In 2021 he became our U14 Head Coach, and in 2023 he took on the Executive Director role for the two Sunshine clubs, managing the coaching staff, budgets, races, equipment, relations with the mountain and more; he brought his business background together with his coaching expertise to drive professionalism, career development, efficiency, respect and the joy of ski racing to all aspects of his work.  For clarity, following a banking career, taking these positions is purely for the love of ski racing and his desire to see the ski racing community thrive.  He is a believer in the integration of alpine ski coaching and instruction, with a deep appreciation of the fundamentals of skiing and ski racing.  Taking a break from active service to our clubs to go watch Liam race on the World Cup circuit next year, (Scott) is still planning to be actively engaged with the Sunshine clubs for years to come.  I wholeheartedly recommend Scott Wallace for the Nancy Greene Builder Award for his lifetime contributions to Canadian Ski Racing.

Scott Wallace, Sunshine Ski Clubs | 2026 Nominee, Nancy Green Builder Award – Alberta

Since 1988, the Dee Read Memorial Scholarship has been awarded annually to athletes competing on or at the Alberta Ski Team level, with the goal of competing for the Canadian Alpine Ski Team. This scholarship is intended to provide support to those athletes who demonstrate the determination and dedication to aim for the highest level, and who serve as good role models to younger athletes at the ski club level who are aiming to one day represent Canada.

On June 1^st, Ken Read announced the 2026 Read Family Scholarship winners to a crowd of ski community supporters that included his sons Jeff, Erik & Kevyn at Silvertip Resort, awarding Shae Mullen and Caleb Brooks each $1000 to further their ski racing careers.

“Shae made impressive progress on the Nor-Am Tour, this year,  becoming one of the leading North American athletes in speed to qualify for the Canadian Team for the 2026 FIS Junior World Ski Championships in Narvik, Norway,” said Read. “Caleb powered back from the injury that kept him out of competition in 2025, winning the 2026 GMC Alberta Cup and had impressive results on the Nor-Am. These great accomplishments should position him for more success as he continues his pathway on the NCAA Tour with the University of Alaska. We know both Shae and Caleb have further goals to represent Canada at the highest levels and we wish both of the best as they move forward in 2026-27!”

The Read Family Scholarships are named for Dorothy “Dee” Read, a pioneer athlete, coach and international official and a passionate supporter of athletes in Alberta. In her lifetime, she captured the 1948 Canadian Championship titles, became one of the first female FIS Technical Delegates worldwide and was a respected leader of Alberta Alpine and the Canadian Snowsports Association.

For more information about athlete scholarships and bursaries available through Alberta Alpine and to see previous winners listed, go to https://albertaalpine.ca/awards-scholarships/