Alberta’s ski racing calendar continued with a strong focus on athlete development as Ski Cross events were hosted in both the North and South Zones, providing meaningful and accessible opportunities for young racers. With events at Sunridge Ski Area and Nakiska Ski Resort, U12 athletes were able to experience ski cross racing close to home, reinforcing Alberta Alpine’s commitment to pathway-wide skill development.

Ski cross plays an important role in the long-term development of alpine athletes, highlighting a wide range of foundational skills including balance, timing, terrain management, tactical decision-making, adaptability, and confidence. These events delivered an exciting and engaging environment where young athletes could apply and develop these skills in a fun, competitive setting.

Sunridge Ski Cross – North Zone

Sunridge Ski Area hosted a North Zone Ski Cross event that brought together U12 athletes for a dynamic and development-focused competition. The accessible location allowed northern athletes to participate without extensive travel, supporting strong participation and continued growth of ski cross in the region.

The course provided an excellent introduction to ski cross features, encouraging athletes to build comfort on varied terrain while reinforcing core racing skills that translate directly to alpine disciplines. The positive atmosphere, supported by dedicated volunteers and officials, created an engaging experience for athletes at an important stage of their development.

Full event details available here:
https://albertaalpine.ca/calendar/#5886

Nakiska Ski Cross – South Zone

In the South Zone, Nakiska hosted the U12 Ski Cross event that delivered another high-quality developmental opportunity for athletes. Racing on well-prepared terrain in a classic Alberta venue, athletes were challenged to apply technical skills, line choice, and tactical awareness in a fast-paced and exciting format.

Having ski cross opportunities in the south complements existing alpine programming and allows athletes to broaden their racing experiences while continuing to develop confidence and versatility on snow. The event was well supported by clubs, coaches, and volunteers, contributing to a positive and athlete-centered race environment.

Full event details available here:
https://albertaalpine.ca/calendar/#5880

Building Skills for the Future

By offering ski cross events in both the North and South Zones, Alberta Alpine continues to strengthen the development pathway and ensure equitable access to diverse racing opportunities. For U12 athletes, ski cross is not only fun and engaging, but also an effective tool for developing the skills that underpin future success in alpine racing.

Thank you to Sunridge Ski Area, Nakiska Ski Resort, organizing committees of Sunridge and NASA, officials, volunteers, coaches, and families for their continued support in delivering high-quality, development-focused events across the province.

Alberta athletes delivered an impressive showing at the Canadian Masters Alpine Championships, held at Ski Garceau in Quebec, proudly representing the province throughout the event.

The championships featured strong competition from across Canada and internationally, with Alberta racers consistently placing near the top of the field and earning multiple podium finishes across disciplines.

Lionel Cochey put together a solid series of races, typically finishing in the top 20s and 30s overall. He was firmly in the medal hunt within his age category and earned both silver and bronze medals over the course of the event.

Darren Gee had a standout championship, finishing 5th overall in Super-G (2nd top Canadian) and 9th overall in GS 1 and 3rd overall in GS 2, winning his age category and finishing as the 2nd top Canadian in the discipline. Darren topped both runs on Day One of Slalom. Unfortunately, his Day Two slalom ended early after losing a ski midway down the course.

Robert Leeds delivered strong speed performances, finishing 2nd overall in Super-G and both GS races, while claiming top Canadian honors and winning his age group, narrowly edged by an older Austrian competitor. Slalom proved more challenging, with a pair of straddles cutting short otherwise promising runs.

Jason Gaab raced consistently throughout the event, placing mainly in the top 30s and 40s overall and finishing just outside the medal positions within his age category.

As expected, Irene Collins dominated her age group, winning all of her races. While she would have been a strong contender for the Champions of Champions, she was ineligible after winning the title last year — a testament to her continued excellence.

Vincent Renaud rounded out the Alberta performances with consistent top-20 finishes, earning multiple silver and bronze medals within his age category.

Overall, the Canadian Masters Alpine Championships were a successful event for Alberta athletes, showcasing depth, competitiveness, and continued high-level performance across age groups on the national stage.

Early mornings, long days, and high output: ski racing demands consistency, discipline, and smart fuel.

That’s why Alberta Alpine is proud to partner with Inspired Go, a Calgary-based company that has quietly built one of Canada’s most trusted healthy, ready-made meal services for active, health-conscious people.

From Calgary and Edmonton Kitchens to Alberta Athletes

Inspired  Go was founded with a simple but powerful idea: make it easy to eat well, even when life is busy. What started as a local solution for people juggling work, training, and family life has grown into a brand trusted by athletes, professionals, and families across Alberta.

Like Alberta Alpine, Inspired Go understands the reality of early mornings, travel days, and packed schedules. Their meals are designed for people who care about performance  whether that’s on the race hill, in the gym, or just showing up energized for the day ahead.

Fresh ingredients, thoughtful nutrition, and no shortcuts.

Shared Values: Preparation, Consistency, and Performance

At Alberta Alpine, we talk a lot about process. Progress doesn’t come from one great day – it comes from doing the right things, repeatedly, over time.

Inspired Go operates on the same philosophy. Their meals are:

• Balanced and nutrient-dense, supporting recovery and sustained energy
• Convenient without compromise, saving time without sacrificing quality
• Designed for real life, everyday

For athletes and families in our community, that matters. Nutrition isn’t just about race day – it’s about supporting growth, focus, and resilience throughout the season.

Supporting the Full Pathway

From club racers and busy parents to coaches and officials spending long days on snow, Inspired Go supports the entire Alberta Alpine ecosystem. Their Calgary and Edmonton bases, and their commitment to healthy living make them a natural fit for our organization and our values.

This partnership isn’t about trends – it’s about long-term habits that support long-term success.

Proud to Partner with Alberta-Based Innovators

We are especially proud to work with Alberta-based companies who understand our environment and our community. Inspired Go is building something meaningful right here at home – just as Alberta Alpine continues to develop athletes who represent our province on the national and international stage.

We encourage our members to learn more about Inspired Go and experience firsthand why they’ve become a go-to nutrition partner for so many active Albertans.  Follow this link to enjoy up to 8 free meals  for a limited time.

Thank you, Inspired Go, for supporting Alberta Alpine and helping fuel the next generation of champions — on and off the hill.

The Alberta ski racing season continued with a busy weekend of provincial and development-focused competition, featuring U16 and U14 provincial races in the Bow Valley and a North Zone NGSL event in Edmonton. Athletes at all stages of the pathway were on snow, gaining valuable race experience in well-run events supported by strong organizing committees and volunteers.

Panorama U16 Provincial Race

Team Panorama hosted U16 athletes for a Provincial Race Series event that delivered challenging courses and a high-quality competitive environment. The venue provided excellent terrain for athlete development, allowing racers to test their technical skills and race tactics over the weekend on an amazing rock solid surface. 

The Race Organizing Committee delivered a smooth event, with well-prepared courses and efficient operations throughout the competition. The Panorama U16 Provincial race played an important role in athlete progression, offering provincial ranking opportunities and meaningful race experience as athletes continue along the development pathway.

Full event details available here:
https://albertaalpine.ca/calendar/#5864

U14 Provincial Race – Mt. Norquay

Mt. Norquay and the Banff Alpine Racers welcomed U14 athletes for a Provincial Race Series weekend focused on skill development, confidence building, and introduction to higher-level provincial racing. Athletes competed on technical courses set on the phenomenal Silver Legacy race venue that emphasized the need for strong fundamentals and experience building.

The event highlighted the depth of emerging talent across Alberta, with racers gaining valuable experience in a supportive yet competitive environment. Thank you to the Banff Alpine Racers, coaches, and volunteers for delivering a positive and development-focused event for Alberta’s next generation of racers.

Full event details available here:
https://albertaalpine.ca/calendar/#5872

North Zone NGSL Race – Edmonton Ski Club

Edmonton Ski Club hosted a North Zone Nancy Greene Ski League race, bringing together young athletes and families for a fun, welcoming introduction to alpine racing. The event emphasized participation, skill development, and enjoyment, reinforcing the core values of the NGSL program.

With strong volunteer support and an energetic atmosphere, the ESC NGSL race provided an excellent racing experience for athletes beginning their journey in competitive skiing. Thank you to Edmonton Ski Club and all volunteers for their continued commitment to grassroots alpine development in Alberta.

Full event details available here:
https://albertaalpine.ca/calendar/#5885

The 2026 ski racing season officially launched in Alberta with a full schedule of competition and development opportunities. Events hosted at Sunridge and Nakiska brought together athletes from development through international levels, reinforcing Alberta’s strength as both a training ground and host province for alpine and ski cross racing.

Sunridge Open Ski Cross

Sunridge welcomed athletes to Edmonton for the Sunridge Open Ski Cross, offering an important early-season racing opportunity in a development-focused environment. The event saw strong participation and provided valuable race experience for athletes progressing through the ski cross pathway.

Despite typical winter conditions, the organizing committee delivered a smooth and well-run event that emphasized athlete development and accessibility. Thank you to Sunridge, along with the volunteers and officials, for their continued commitment to growing ski cross in Alberta.

Full results available here: https://albertaalpine.ca/calendar/#5967

Nakiska FIS GMC Cup

Nakiska hosted the FIS GMC Cup, welcoming alpine athletes from across the west and beyond for a high-level early-season competition. The event served as a key benchmark for FIS athletes opening their 2026 racing campaigns.

The Race Organizing Committee took on an ambitious schedule on a newly homologated variant of Whoop Up with 4 races scheduled over the 3 days of competition and were able to deliver 3 of the 4 events per gender. Thank you to NASA and the ROC for your hard work and dedication to our sport. Alberta athletes were well represented throughout the field, gaining valuable experience and early-season FIS points on home snow.

Full results available here: https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/event-details.html?sectorcode=AL&eventid=59334&seasoncode=2026

Nakiska Ski Cross Nor-Am Cup

Nakiska also hosted the Ski Cross Nor-Am Cup, attracting a strong international field of North America’s top ski cross athletes. Racing on Nakiska’s world-class ski cross track delivered fast, exciting competition throughout the event.

The Nor-Am Cup highlighted Nakiska’s ability to consistently host elite-level ski cross racing and provided athletes with critical international racing experience early in the season.

Full results available here: https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/event-details.html?sectorcode=FS&eventid=59451&seasoncode=2026

Ski Cross National Championships

Adding to an already impressive schedule, Nakiska served as the venue for the 2026 Ski Cross National Championships. Canada’s top ski cross athletes competed for national titles on a demanding and well-prepared course.

The championships showcased high-performance racing and further cemented Nakiska’s reputation as one of the premier ski cross venues in the country.

Full results available here: https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/event-details.html?sectorcode=FS&eventid=62491&seasoncode=2026

Ski Cross Coach & Official Training

In addition to competition, Nakiska hosted Ski Cross Coach and Official training sessions alongside the racing calendar. These sessions provided valuable professional development opportunities, supporting consistency, safety, and continued growth within the ski cross community. Thank you Gord and Jenni for making it happen!

The integration of education with competition underscored the importance of building capacity alongside high-level racing.

Overall, it was an outstanding and comprehensive start to ski racing in 2026. Thank you to all host clubs, volunteers, officials, coaches, and athletes whose dedication and collaboration made these events possible and helped set a strong foundation for the season ahead.

Happy New Year from the Staff and Athletes of Alberta Alpine!

We hope you had a fun holiday season and are feeling ready to get back to racing.

As we ring in the new year, many people reflect on what they want to achieve in the months ahead. Setting goals, especially in sport, is one of the most effective ways to stay focused, motivated, and accountable.

Before heading east for their race block, we sat down with our Alberta Ski Team (AST) athletes to discuss goal setting. As athlete Caleb Brooks puts it,

“Goal setting is important. You need to be able to set long-term goals and short-term goals. The short-term goals are steps on the staircase of the ultimate goal. And goal aren’t always results. It’s important to realize that.”

Athletes often set three kinds of goals:

• Outcome goals (e.g., scoring points)
  Performance goals (e.g., hitting a personal record)
• Process goals (e.g., improving form or technique)
  

Combining all three keeps motivation high while helping athletes focus on what they can control. Most of our athletes reported preferring process goals. As Amy Attalla reflected,

“Ski racing is a sport where almost nothing is constant—snow conditions, course sets, hills, equipment, even weather can change run to run. Because so much is out of my control, I’ve found a lot of confidence and focus in committing to the process and the things I can control.”

The smaller daily process goals also have other benefits in ownership and understanding of working towards the big picture, “With process goals, it’s easier to focus on what I can do to change things and improve.” says Thomas Cias. Gavin Johnson echoed this sentiment, saying, “In order to obtain outcome goals, you need to understand the process to achieve it.” Caleb concluded with “The process keeps things in perspective and keeps you disciplined day to day. Nothing goes according to plan [you just keep] trusting yourself and your work.”

We got into the details of the team’s current goals, with a prominent theme being activeness and movement in their skiing. Adian Kometz wants to “ski less static,” and Thomas wants to see his “hips forward through the bottom of the turn.” Gavin set a technical goal that would have tactical advantages: “Hips up in transition to allow me to commit to an earlier line with early pressure.” 

There were also some ambitious outcome goals discussed. Amy and Thomas have their eyes on the Nor’am series, with Amy wanting to score Nor’am points in slalom and Thomas looking for a couple of top 15s in speed events. Oliver Jackson, coming off a rehab year, said he “would love to get back on snow to be able to get a race in for the end of the season.” Adian seeks greater consistency in his finishes. Cole Merrett and Graeme Cliff have qualifying for the World Junior Championships in Narvik, Norway, in their sights. 

We love hearing about our athletes’ sport goals; they are much more than their ski careers. It is essential to set goals outside of sport to help athletes maintain a well-rounded life, thereby improving mental health and resilience. Our athletes do a lot off-snow, and we sought to showcase some of their goals outside skiing. 

Amy is active in her community, working with SibShops, a non-profit for the siblings of children with special needs, saying, “it keeps me rooted in my community, reminds me why connection matters, and gives me perspective outside of results and performance.” Oliver says, “this year I would love to further continue and broaden my impact with kids cancer care.” Caleb and Gavin look towards careers in Home Development and Carpentry, respectively. Cole is looking to maintain a 90% academic average while on AST. Thomas wants to keep it fast on the hill but slow down in life a little “to just enjoy the things and moments around me […] appreciate life and the privilege I have to be surrounded by so many amazing people in such amazing places.”

We asked our athletes for any final advice for the younger athletes. 

“Don’t tie your confidence or self-worth to results—tie it to how hard you work,” says Amy. 

Gavin points out that success is not a straight line: “Be patient. Success is not always linear you are going to have moments where you are succeeding and moments where you are failing.” Thomas built on this, saying, “Chasing perfection means that there will be runs or days or weeks where nothing will click but thats okay, you just can’t get frustrated or discouraged because things take time, even when you are trying your hardest.”

Oliver encourages self-discovery, “do not be afraid to branch out into completely different areas of your life that you would not have otherwise explored, it might just lead you to something you will love.” 

Graeme says, “Make [your friends] your biggest competitors, as you will all become better,” drawing on personal experience with AST. 

Adain was straight to the point, “Don’t put in half effort, win or lose, then you never have to wonder what if.”

We hope that you achieve your goals in the New Year. See you on the slopes.

This past holiday weekend was an exciting and action-packed one across the province, with four separate events hosted at Nakiska, Panorama, Lake Louise, and Rabbit Hill. Athletes ranging from U14 all the way through FIS and Nor-Am levels were on snow, showcasing the depth and strength of alpine and ski cross skiing in Alberta.

Panorama FIS GMC Cup

Team Panorama kicked off their competition season by hosting the Maclachlan FIS GMC Cup, a four-day event scheduled to include two Giant Slalom and two Slalom races. The event drew close to a full field and provided an excellent early-season racing opportunity for Alberta and BC athletes ahead of the Christmas break.

Despite challenging conditions, Team Panorama’s Race Organizing Committee (ROC) did a phenomenal job working through adversity to deliver a high-quality event. Three of the four scheduled races were successfully completed, and Alberta athletes had a standout performance, capturing 9 of the 18 senior podium positions. A strong start to the FIS season for our province. Thank you Team Panorama!!

Full results available here: FIS | Panorama (CAN) – Event Details – Alpine Skiing

Lake Louise Santa Slalom & Alberta Winter Games Qualifier

The Lake Louise Ski Club hosted the first race of the season for South Zone U14 and U16 athletes with the Santa Slalom. This event served as a “shakeout” race, allowing athletes to transition back into race mode, and will also act as the Alberta Winter Games qualifier for Zones 1, 2, and 3 this season.

The weekend featured fantastic racing and strong participation. Saturday’s competition was briefly interrupted by an unexpected grizzly bear sighting just below the race venue, which resulted in the afternoon races being shut down as a safety precaution—certainly a uniquely Alberta moment and a reminder of the alpine environment we compete in.

Full results available here: Calendar – Alberta Alpine

Rabbit Hill Open

Conditions were challenging up north at Rabbit Hill, where extreme cold temperatures ultimately forced the cancellation of the Open race despite tireless efforts from the ROC. In order to support athlete development and ensure Alberta Winter Games qualification, a limited U14 time trial was successfully held in place of the full event.

A sincere thank you to Rabbit Hill and the entire organizing team for their dedication, flexibility, and commitment to athlete, coach, and volunteer safety while facing very difficult weather conditions.

Nakiska Ski Cross Nor-Am

Nakiska hosted the first of two local Ski Cross Nor-Am events at its renowned Ski Cross Centre. A strong field of 37 of North America’s top ski cross athletes competed on the legendary Nakiska track, delivering fast, exciting racing throughout the series.

Canada dominated the event, claiming 10 of the 12 podium positions across the competition. An outstanding result and a testament to the strength of Canadian ski cross on home snow.

Full results available here: FIS | Nakiska (CAN) – Event Details – Freestyle

Overall, it was a highly successful and memorable weekend of racing across Alberta. Thank you to all host clubs, volunteers, officials, coaches, and athletes who made these events possible and helped kick off the season with such energy and momentum.

As the year comes to a close, we want to wish you good health and happiness this holiday season. 

Please note that our office will be closed for the holidays from December 23, 2025 till January 2, 2026. We will have limited access to phone and email during this time. Our office will re-open on Monday, January 5, 2026.

For anyone immersed in ski racing in Alberta, one brand has become a familiar and trusted presence: Karbon. Whether on training lanes at Nakiska, podium photos from GMC Cup series races, or team jackets worn proudly by our Alberta Ski Team athletes, Karbon’s commitment to our community is unmistakable.

A homegrown Canadian leader in high-performance alpine apparel, Karbon has outfitted world-class winter athletes for more than two decades. Today, Alberta Alpine is proud to be one of four provincial sport organizations in Canada supported by Karbon, alongside our peers in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. Their belief in our athletes, coaches, and programs has strengthened every layer of our pathway, from U12 racers to our emerging national-team prospects.

A Partnership Built on Shared Values

Karbon’s relationship with Alberta Alpine is grounded in the principles that define our sport: innovation, resilience, and a belief that potential has no limits. They understand what it means to train in the Rockies – the wind-scoured ridgelines, the minus-20 mornings, and the relentless pursuit of marginal gains that define competitive alpine skiing.

Their products are tested in real-world conditions and informed by decades of athlete feedback. For our athletes, it’s more than a jacket. It’s confidence. It’s mobility. It’s pride in wearing a world class product, made on home soil.

Elevating Alberta Athletes, On and Off the Mountain

Karbon supports every phase of our Alberta Alpine system:

• Alberta Ski Team athletes rely on Karbon’s race-proven gear in Nor-Am and FIS competition across North America and Europe.
• Club programs benefit from access to high-quality outerwear and racewear designed specifically for the demands of alpine training.
• Coaches and volunteers depend on Karbon’s durability in the coldest early-morning set-ups and longest days on-hill.

This is a partnership that reaches beyond performance; athletes at all levels wear Karbon with pride, knowing they are backed by a brand that truly understands their journey.

A Legacy of Excellence

Since its launch in 1997 under the leadership of Schure Sports – a family-owned Canadian company established in 1982 – Karbon has grown into one of the most trusted names in winter sport apparel. Their record speaks for itself:

• 450 World Cup medals
• 91 World Championship medals
• 24 Olympic medals

But their legacy is equally defined by the thousands of developing athletes they’ve supported, including many from Alberta who have gone on to national teams and international success.

“The partnership with Karbon is special,” notes Josh Benge, Athletic Director at Alberta Alpine. “They are more than an apparel supplier. They are a true Canadian supporter of our sport, our families, and our athlete pathway.”

Looking Ahead

Karbon’s  #NoLimits ethos aligns perfectly with the spirit of our community.  We are deeply grateful for Karbon’s ongoing partnership and excited for the seasons ahead. Their support helps ensure that every Alberta Alpine athlete from the youngest club racer to our provincial team members has the opportunity to grow, compete, and excel.

Alberta Alpine athletes put together a solid weekend across Saturday and Sunday at the FIS GMC Cup Slalom at Mt. Norquay. The event was a full field with 140 men and 100 women showing up to compete in this seasons opener. There was strong skiing from the Alberta Ski Team and Club athletes some of whom belong to the Alberta Development Group.

On the women’s side, Katie Smith and Amy Attalla were consistently competitive. Attalla opened the weekend with a top-5 on Saturday. Smith followed up with one of the best results of the weekend on Sunday, taking 4th place. Attalla added 7th place on Sunday, keeping herself well inside the lead group and showing great consistency on the challenging snow pack. 

The Development Group women also put down encouraging performances. Noemie Brooks (BAR) had a standout Sunday, finishing 5th. Sofia Stanier (Team Panorama) added a 12th-place Sunday finish, while Emma Suman (Team Panorama)  produced steady results across both days with finishes inside the top 15. Emma Fynn (BAR) , Maya McHugh (Team Panorama), Loren Hannema (BAR), and Keira Hawkins (BAR) raced both days, gaining valuable experience.

Club standouts include University of Calgary athlete Mikayla Wunch with two podiums both in third place and Banff Alpine Racers Jessica Mclellan in 6th and 7th over the weekend.  

The men’s group showed similar momentum. Caleb Brooks led the way with his third consecutive podium on Saturday and a strong 4th place on Sunday. Caleb was pleased with his results, saying, “Feels awesome to be back in the start gate, this is just the start.” We hope so too Caleb! 

Cole Merrett finished 7th and 10th over the weekend, showing great consistency. William Puloski found this pace with 9th on Sunday, while Gavin Johnson landed in 12th. Thomas Cais and Aidan Kometz skied consistently on both days, skiing into 9th and 11th on Saturday and 14th and 18th on Sunday. 

From the Development Group men, Grayden Swanson (SUNSH) punched into 12th from bib 53 and Oliver Brooks (BAR) was hot on his heels in 13th on Saturday. Dylan Giesbrecht (BAR), Joseph Macknish (Team Panorama), Olivier Brooks (BAR), Eric Ward (Team Panoarama), Eric Taylor (BAR), and Lachlan Ferguson (BAR) all completed full race runs across the weekend, gaining experience and improving their pacing.

Club standouts on the men side include University of Calgary Dinos athlete Aleksas Valadka with a 6^th and 7^th and Taras Dets with an 8^th on sunday.   

Overall, it was a productive two days for the AST, ADG, and Alberta Club athletes, with multiple top-10 results and many athletes tightening the gap to the leader as the season begins. We are looking forward to seeing you in Panorama for the next FIS GMC Cup.

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