Camp highlights:

3-day on-snow SX progression led by professional coaches

Focus on fundamentals, safe exposure, and transferable skills

Mock race environment on the final day

Limited capacity (first-come, first-served)

Alignment with ACA’s long-term SX development

Registration – https://snowreg.com/#!/events/aca-ski-cross-development-camp-nakiska-ski-area

SX Coach Module – Jan 2, 2025 (Link)

SX Officials Level 2 – Jan 3, 2025 (Link)

On behalf of Alberta Alpine, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your participation in The Highest Peak Fundraiser 2025. Thanks to your generous support, this year’s event was an incredible success, bringing our community together to celebrate the spirit of ski racing and support the future of our sport.

We would like to extend a special thank-you to our generous venue host, Mount Norquay, as well as to our Alberta Alpine sponsors, Buick GMC Dealers of Alberta, Karbon, Genstar, Mountain Fire Foods, InspiredGo, GearUp, and to our numerous event sponsors, and to our silent auction, balloon, and raffle contributors.

Congratulations to our Hall of Fame award winners: Barb Wood, Bill Irwin, Craig “Rooster” Rusnak, and Gene Durand. We also extend a big thank-you to our outstanding emcees, Brady Leman and Paul Stutz.

Thank you again for your support, and we look forward to seeing you at future events!
 
Warm regards,

Marian Yuzda
Board Chair
Alberta Alpine Ski Association

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.

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: Mount Norquay Main Lodge (Upstairs)

WHEN: Friday November 21, 2025

TIME: 6:30pm

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

TICKETS ARE LIMITED: All proceeds to support the 2025-2026 Alberta Ski Team

Ski racers thrive on speed—but part of being an athlete is knowing where and when to use it. On the race course, speed belongs. On public runs, especially in congested areas, it can put others at risk. Younger skiers look up to racers – –  and coaches and patrol are watching. Remind your athlete that skiing in control and respecting the Alpine Responsibility Code protects their season, their reputation, and everyone on the hill.

Ski areas across Canada are rolling out a new national initiative focused on speed and collision safety. The goal is to reduce injuries and strengthen the culture of safety on our slopes. For ski racers, this message is especially important—your skills make you stand out, but they also put you in the spotlight as role models.

Speed belongs on the race course

On the race course is where athletes are meant to push their limits. But to access those courses, racers travel on public runs shared with beginners, families, and young kids learning to ski. What feels slow to a racer can be overwhelming—and dangerous—for others. Being able to adjust your speed and skiing style in these areas is a mark of a true athlete.

Positive ambassadors for the sport

Younger kids often look up to racers as examples of what they aspire to be. How you conduct yourself on the mountain—whether showing patience in lift lines, skiing in control through merge zones, or respecting others on the trail—shapes how others see the sport. Coaches and ski patrol across the country are also paying close attention to speed. A pass pulled or, worse, a preventable injury could cut a season short.

How you conduct yourself on the slopes – whether showing patience in lift lines, skiing in control through merge zones, or respecting others on the trail – helps shape how others see the sport and the community around it.

Reinforcing the Alpine Responsibility Code

The Alpine Responsibility Code (ARC) applies to every skier, no matter how experienced. For racers, key reminders include:

• Always stay in control.
• People ahead of you have the right of way.
• Stop only where you are visible from above and not obstructing a trail.

Respecting these principles keeps everyone safe and demonstrates leadership beyond competition.

A shared national effort

This season, ski areas are putting speed and collision safety front and centre. By skiing with awareness and leading by example, racers can help ensure the slopes are safe and welcoming for all—while keeping their focus where speed truly belongs: on the race course.

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.

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: Mount Norquay Main Lodge (Upstairs)

WHEN: Friday November 21, 2025

TIME: 6:30pm

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

TICKETS ARE LIMITED: All proceeds to support the 2025-2026 Alberta Ski Team

Alpine ski racing is a sport defined by speed, precision, and skill—but like any high-performance activity, it carries some risk. High-speed crashes are a part of the sport, but can cause serious trauma to the body. One lesser-known but increasingly recognized risk is the potential for cuts or lacerations caused by contact with the sharp edge of a ski during a fall. FIS is making moves to address this.

Lacerations have been researched to be the third most common ski injury; these injuries have prompted greater awareness in recent years, with cases like Bode Miller and Aksel Svindal. In some cases, long extended recovery periods and time away from sport are needed. Similar incidents have been documented in other sports like ice hockey and speed skating, where sharp equipment can pose a risk during collisions or falls. In those sports, the introduction of cut-resistant protective gear—such as neck guards, gloves, and specialized clothing—has helped reduce injury rates and improve athlete safety.

Ski racing is now moving in the same direction. The International Ski Federation (FIS) currently strongly recommends the use of cut-resistant undergarments for all disciplines at all levels, Alberta Alpine agrees and aligns with the FIS recommendations. Beginning in the 2025/2026 season, these protective garments will become mandatory at the highest-level race categories, which include Level 0: World Cup, World Championships, Olympics, and Level 1: FIS Continental Cups, Universiade and FIS World Junior Championships.

The required equipment includes cut-resistant pants that meet a minimum 3-star protection rating based on the FIS-DITF standard, covering the area from the hip (iliac crest) to the top of the ski boot. These garments must be worn in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.

For the people who really want to get into technical detail, what does that 3-star protection rating really mean? In the testing process, garments are subjected to a sharpened ski edge, attempting to cut the garment at 0, 45, and 90 degrees for 200mm. For a 1-star rating, the garment would be able to withstand a ski cut with 100 Newtons of force, a 2-star rating with 200N, and a 3-star rating with 300N, up to a 5-star rating with 500N. Basically, the higher the rating, the greater the cutting force the garment will resist; however, the fabric required to create that cut rating will be stiffer.

FIS has also announced that it will be making airbag back protectors mandatory in World Cup and Continental Cup speed events. These smart devices have been tested and validated to ensure they deploy during a crash, protecting the torso and reducing injury risk. This has been pioneered by MotoGP, where airbags have been under development for a long time and successfully transferred to alpine skiing.

These changes reflect a broader effort to align ski racing with best practices in athlete safety. As the sport evolves, so too does the equipment designed to protect its participants. Encouraging the use of modern, cut-resistant materials and technology-backed airbags is a proactive step toward reducing risk and keeping athletes on snow, doing what they love.

https://www.fis-ski.com/alpine-skiing/news/2024-25/fis-alpine-meeting-focus-on-athlete-safety-and-season-outlook

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35354392/             
(Caution graphic images of ski lacerations)

International Rules of Competition (ICR)

SPECIFICATIONS FOR COMPETITION  EQUIPMENT

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.

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 Race Chairman. 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: Mount Norquay Main Lodge (Upstairs)

WHEN: Friday November 21, 2025

TIME: 6:30pm

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

TICKETS ARE LIMITED: All proceeds to support the 2025-2026 Alberta Ski Team

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 Event on November 21, 2025 at the Mount Norquay Main Lodge in Banff.

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: Mount Norquay Main Lodge (Upstairs)

WHEN: Friday November 21, 2025

TIME: 6:30pm

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

TICKETS ARE LIMITED: All proceeds to support the 2025-2026 Alberta Ski Team

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 Race Chairman. 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.