The Jasper U16 Provincial Race Series 2 took place last weekend at Marmot Basin and delivered 3 days of competition for nearly 100 athletes keen to test their evolving technical skills.  

Saturday and Sunday featured GS races and the course crew absolutely crushed it to deliver fantastic and fair courses both days despite the challenge of fresh snow arriving Sunday morning. It was followed by sunshine in the afternoon and the efforts of the volunteer course workers and coaches to keep the races running smoothly did not go unnoticed.

Monday wrapped the weekend with slalom, which without a hitch from start to finish and was a great way to close out the event. This ongoing series offers U16’s provincial ranking opportunities and valuable race experience as these atthletes continue along the development pathway.

Chad Mansell, Program Director for Snow Valley Racing, host club of the Jasper series, reports that they “had an excellent race weekend at Marmot Basin and are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to host there. The venue, the space, and the overall support allowed Snow Valley organizers to truly shine.” He added that, of the many favourite moments over the course of the event, the podium celebration ranked near the top, with “the backdrop of the mountain with all the kids on the podium together – it was pretty special and definitely a highlight for athletes, coaches, and families alike.” Overall, the weekend was filled with strong racing, great camaraderie, and a lot of gratitude. Mansell added, “We’re thankful to Alberta Alpine and Marmot Basin for the support, and to the volunteers, officials, course crew, our generous sponsors including Wolfe GMC and the folks at Sundance Ski Shop, and of course the athletes who made the event such a success.”

Ever wonder what it takes behind the scenes to put on a race? We caught ourselves a glimpse of the action from this weekend’s races at Nakiska hosted by the Skimeisters Alpine Ski Club (SARC), and it seems that smiles have a lot to do with it (ok, really organized smiles!). And it’s especially fitting, giving a little extra shout-out to the volunteers in this case, because the annual NGSL Reitbauer Cup weekend is named in honour of longtime Skimeisters Marg and Hans Reitbauer whose countless hours on the ski hill and in the board room created a lasting legacy in the local ski racing community.

“This year’s Reitbauer Cup was the first one without Marg Reitbauer, who passed away on June 4, 2025” shared Catherine Decelles from the Nakiska Alpine Ski Association (NASA).  She added that Marg’s son, Rick, delivered a loving tribute to his mother during Saturday’s awards ceremony and had spent the day with the race crew, helping to slip the course, cheering on the athletes at the start, and socializing with members of the ROC. “We caught Rick up on all the great things happening in the province for ski racing and it was an absolute pleasure sharing the day with him. We are proud to continue to celebrate his parents’ legacy in Alberta ski racing.”

The on-hill energy on both sides of the fence this weekend was high. The NGSL program is all about young athletes and families participating in a welcoming  introduction to alpine racing. Creating a fun atmosphere at all levels that encourages participation and skill development aligns with the core values of the NGSL program, and the Reitbauer Cup really illustrates that experience.

NGSL Program Manager, Zoë Brooker, commented that the weather was incredible, with beautiful, warm sunshine and a nice, hard surface that meant consistent course conditions through the whole field…which at nearly 250 athletes per day, was significant! The Chief of Course said he had a solid course crew with many new faces, and they all worked hard to keep the track in great condition. Shout-outs to all of the coaches from the many clubs taking part who joined course volunteers for an extra lap up the lift after races were completed Sunday to grab all the equipment from the race venue and help get it to the bottom in a record 30 minutes. “The coaches really went the extra mile for us,” according to Brooker. She says spectators and parents don’t often see the extra work coaches put in after the last racer finishes, but it is very much appreciated!

It appears volunteerism is certainly alive and well in this community. One of the key take aways noted about the weekend by the race organizing committee (ROC) was the number of new volunteers who came out to lend a hand both on and off the hill, joining forces with the many seasoned ‘alumni’ who return specifically for this legacy event. “With over 50 volunteers needed per day, many in new positions, everyone rallied and worked hard to pull off a great weekend of racing for these entry level athletes,” reported Eva Shang, club Treasurer working in the race office this weekend.  She noted that some stars on that team pulled together a minor miracle ahead of the awards ceremony, executing a wicked mail merge so that each medal and ribbon handed out was labeled with the winner’s name. And while parents and kids enjoyed the sunshine waiting for awards, SARC coaches Andrew and Suz lead a very energetic dance party, quite likely the weekend highlight for many of these young kids! It will definitely be a positive ski race experience they’ll remember.

For full race results, follow:

Saturday: https://albertaalpine.ca/calendar/#5891

Sunday: https://albertaalpine.ca/calendar/#6200

The 25^th Winter Olympics are already well underway and many of us have been tuning in on CBC, even live in the wee hours of the morning here in Canada, to watch the races unfold, to cheer on the Canadian alpine team, and to feel the excitement of the Games.

For most of us, our Olympic experience takes place in our living rooms, but for the parents and families travelling to Italy to watch the competition, the Olympic experience is something quite special. We spoke with two local ‘Olympic moms’ in Cortina about how it feels to be there.

Joanne Gray is a familiar name in the Alberta Alpine community. Mom to 6 and recently featured on CBC for her contribution to the Panorama ski racing community, she’s watching her eldest daughter Cassidy in her second Olympic Games, but for the first time in-person. She is joined by her husband Rob and their entire family.

Lynne and Grant Richardson, based in Canmore and whose daughter Britt will be racing in her first Olympics in the Women’s GS, are also in Cortina, joined by their son Cole and an extended family fan club.

We asked both of these ‘Olympic moms’ about their daughters’ journey to the Games, and the experience of being a parent there in Cortina to take it all in.

When did you first introduce your daughter to skiing and when did she first join a ski club program? What was her path from the club level to the Canadian Alpine Ski Team? (Likely no 2 are the same!)

Joanne: Cassidy first took ski lessons at COP in Calgary.  Our cabin was finished in Panorama in the summer of 2007 and that winter Cassidy and her older brother, Brody, joined Team Panorama.  Cassidy was 6 years old.  As a kid she played a lot of sports. She definitely began to focus on ski racing more at U14 level even though she continued with soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, hockey, etc. 

From Team Panorama, she joined the Alberta Ski Team before attending Colorado University where she raced NCAA to her first World Championship with the Canadian Alpine Ski Team.

Lynne: Britt started skiing at 18 months, and we free skied as a family for years at Lake Louise until Britt joined the race team at 9 years old. She learned to rip through the trees and ski pow chasing her brother, Cole, along with her dad, Grant, who has been, and still is, an integral part of her coaching team. Britt has worked with many great coaches over the years from Lake Louise and CARC close to home, Burke Mountain Academy, and now the Canadian Ski Team. 

Jo, as a ‘veteran’ ski racing mom, have you any messages to share with parents of kids coming through the ski racing pathway now? What are you most grateful for in terms of how ski racing has shaped your daughter’s life so far?

Joanne: Oh, the road is not linear.  There are lots and lots of ups and downs.  I have always encouraged her to look for the lessons in the ‘downs’ and then continue to go after what she wanted.  Cassidy is 100% responsible for driving her ski racing career. She did not need much encouragement – she is very driven!  In my opinion, the downs are to learn from but it is the getting yourself back up that truly defines your character and who you are as a person.  Ski racing itself does not define you.  It is simply something you do.  You are way more than that 🙂  

Lynne, would you credit any influences or experiences that got your daughter here?

Lynne: At an early age, Britt would often ask me, “Mom, what is the youngest age you can be to race in a World Cup?” 

I think her World Cup dreams started when she watched the annual World Cup speed races at Lake Louise with her ski buddies. 

Every year the girls would stand at the finish, cheering, giggling and in absolute awe of the racers. They wouldn’t leave the resort until they got a photo with one of the athletes and/or a signed bib. One year, Lindsey Vonn gave Britt her podium flowers and kindly posed for a photo with her. Those flowers are probably still in Britt’s room!! 

Last year, 10 years later, I got a similar photo of the two of them while they were both competing at the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley!

Joanne, this is Cass’ 2nd Olympics, but the first time you are there in person. Can you tell us a bit about what that experience was like last time, watching from afar, and how you feel as you watch her ‘live’ this time?

Joanne: Yes, her first Olympics was in Beijing and it was during Covid so no families were allowed to go to the events.  We watched the entire Olympics on TV.  It was very exciting to watch as we were all set up in our basement with a full projector screen!  We also had the other kids’ races to go to locally during the Olympics.  We were in Lake Louise for a race and all of Zoe’s ski buddies came to our room to watch.  We were all covered in Canada flags, hats, clappers, etc.  It was a vibe! This time in Cortina, the entire family has come to watch Cassidy race!  After watching the first Downhill in Cortina, I think we all concluded that we were more nervous being at the event than watching it on TV, especially with the injuries on the track that day.  The absolute most memorable moment was when she crossed the finish line and looked over to us and that beautiful smile calmed our nerves and continued to give our vocal cords additional inspiration!  We cheered for a long time after!  Cassidy came up into the stands when she was done with her media interviews and although she was not happy with her skiing, she was stoked that we were all there!!

How do you think her experiences at the previous Games will influence her approach 2nd time around both on and off the course?

Joanne: When you go to the Olympics there are lots of distractions, pressures, etc.  I refer to them as “noise”.  With the experience of the first Games under her belt, it makes it easier for her to block out the noise and focus.   

OK, now, both of you, tell us what kind of fan-mom are you? We often hear of how athletes prepare for their races, but what’s your race day look like? Will those of us watching from home be able to spot you on tv?

Joanne: I usually like to be on course and help the race!  If I am not, I likely will be the loudest person cheering in the finish area.  I always have a Canada flag, maybe Canada glasses, Canada pins, hats, tattoos…you name it, I wear it!  Next to watching her race, I love to wear the maple leaf!!  (Note: Joanne’s iconic coat many will recognize has also been spotted by cameras in the stands from Cortina!)

Lynne: I’m definitely a World Cup and Olympic fan-mom. We have always been a keen ski family, and both of my parents were avid volunteers at many Lake Louise World Cups and the ‘88 Olympics. I guess that’s where my ski race passion stemmed from!  I was lucky to have been a forerunner myself at the ‘88 Olympic Women’s Downhill and Super-G at Nakiska. I also attended both the 2002 Salt Lake City and 2010 Whistler Olympic Games to cheer on close ski friends competing. And this time I’m honoured and proud to be watching my daughter and her teammates compete in Cortina!!!  I’m so proud of this team and I can’t wait to cheer them on and hug them in the finish!! You may spot me and my family wearing Canada’s colours and our custom hats!

Cowbell alert: Cassidy and Britt join teammates Valérie Grenier and Justine Lamontagne in the upcoming Women’s Olympic Giant Slalom on February 15^th. Whether you choose to wake up very early to watch it live, or replay the race over breakfast, be sure to CHEER LOUDLY! Run 1 starts Sunday at 1:20 am HERE

Hi everyone,

My name is Philip Pike, and this is my first season coaching with the Alberta Ski Team. While this is a new role for me, I’ve been coaching out of Lake Louise for the past nine seasons, so it’s been exciting to step into a new environment while still working with athletes who care deeply about skiing fast and getting better every day. I’m really grateful for the opportunity to be part of this group and to contribute to what the team is building.

We’re currently down in New York at Whiteface Mountain, right in the middle of the NORAM season. This is our third trip east since the new year, and at this point it honestly feels like a second home. Between long travel days, time zones, and bouncing between venues, life on the road has become pretty routine. These trips are where a lot of learning happens — both on and off the hill — and they’ve played an important role in the athletes’ development so far this season. Not everything has gone perfectly, and some athletes have been struggling at times, but the response has been encouraging. There’s a real hunger within the group for more starts, more opportunities, and more chances to apply what they’re learning in a race environment.

We’re right in the thick of the season now, with athletes battling through the NORAM circuit and learning what it takes to be competitive at this level. It hasn’t been easy, but there have been a lot of positives to take away. We’ve seen success this year in both speed and technical events, which is a great reflection of the work the athletes have been putting in. Here at Whiteface this week, the speed races have gone well, and it’s been rewarding to see the athletes execute when it matters. We’re now shifting our focus to the upcoming technical events, and there’s a lot of excitement around the opportunity to build on the momentum we’ve created.

Looking ahead, we’re also really looking forward to coming back home for some local races at Norquay. After spending so much time on the road, getting back to familiar hills and routines will be a well-deserved reset for the group. It’s always nice to race at home and feel the support from the Alberta Alpine community.

I’ve been impressed with the work ethic, resilience, and attitude this team brings every day. I’m excited to keep building with this group and see where the rest of the season takes us.

See you on the hill,

Philip Pike

Alberta Ski Team Coach

Alberta Alpine Ski Association is proud to announce that 80 alpine ski racers have officially qualified to compete at the upcoming Alberta Winter Games, marking an exciting milestone for the province’s alpine ski community.

The qualified team features 40 female and 40 male athletes across 8 zones, representing a strong commitment to excellence in sport. These athletes earned their spots through a competitive zone qualification process, showcasing dedication, skill, and resilience throughout the beginning of the season.

The Alberta Winter Games serve as a key development opportunity for young athletes, offering valuable experience in a multi-sport Games environment while fostering teamwork, sportsmanship, and provincial pride. For many racers, the Games are an important step along their long-term athlete development journey.

Alberta Alpine extends congratulations to all 80 athletes, their families, coaches, volunteers, and clubs who supported them along the way. The association looks forward to cheering on Team Alberta and celebrating the passion and commitment these athletes bring to the sport.

Follow along Alberta Winter Games | Alberta Sport

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.