Alberta Ski Team Caps Off Memorable 2025–26 Season

The 2025–26 season will be remembered as one of growth, resilience, and unforgettable experiences for the Alberta Ski Team. From glacier training camps in Europe to the intensity of the NORAM circuit and National Championships, Alberta’s athletes represented the province with determination, professionalism, and passion every step of the way.

This year’s team featured a talented and driven group of athletes from clubs across Alberta, including Amy Attalla, Katie Smith, Caleb Brooks, Thomas Cais, Graeme Cliff, Gavin Johnson, Aidan Kometz, Cole Merrett, and William Puloski. Together, they embraced the challenge of competing against some of the top athletes in North America while continuing to develop both on and off the hill.

Building the Foundation in Europe

The season began with extensive preseason preparation in Saas-Fee, Switzerland and Hintertux, Austria. Athletes consistently reflected on how valuable those camps were in building confidence, refining technical skills, and laying the groundwork for the race season ahead.

For many first-year team members, the experience was eye-opening. Training on steep glacial ice and adapting to demanding conditions accelerated development early in the year. Athletes frequently spoke about the importance of patience, preparation, and learning to trust their skiing in these challenging environments.

The team returned home with nearly 60 days on snow before the opening races, providing one of the strongest preseason foundations the Alberta Ski Team has had in recent years.

Strong Performances Across the NORAM and FIS Circuits

Throughout the winter, Alberta athletes competed across Canada and the United States, racing in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, New York, Colorado, and beyond. The team consistently demonstrated depth and competitiveness on both the NORAM and FIS circuits.

Amy Attalla

Amy Attalla continued to show consistency and determination throughout the season while gaining valuable experience across both technical and speed disciplines. Early-season races at the GMC Cup series at Mt. Norquay saw Attalla establish herself among the top competitors with multiple strong finishes. Throughout the year, she reflected on the importance of building confidence, refining tactical execution, and learning to trust her skiing under pressure.

Attalla’s season highlights her professionalism and maturity as an athlete, particularly during periods of difficult weather and schedule disruptions. Her commitment to preparation and steady improvement was a pleasure to watch and demonstrated her consistent approach.

Katie Smith

Katie Smith delivered several standout performances during the season and demonstrated exceptional resilience in overcoming adversity. Smith opened the winter with strong skiing at Norquay, earning a fourth-place finish and consistently racing within reach of the podium.

Midseason, Smith faced one of the biggest challenges of her career following a concussion sustained during the Panorama Christmas series. She openly shared the physical and mental challenges associated with recovery and returning to competition. Rather than rushing the process, Smith approached her recovery methodically, ultimately returning to racing with renewed confidence and perspective. This approach ultimately lead to her first FIS win at her home hill of Lake Louise in early March.

Her perseverance throughout the season became one of the clearest examples of the determination and professionalism present within the Alberta Ski Team environment.

Caleb Brooks

After dealing with injuries in previous seasons, Caleb Brooks returned to competition with renewed focus and confidence. Brooks steadily rebuilt momentum throughout the year and produced strong performances across both NORAM and FIS races.

His season reflected both patience and resilience as he worked to regain consistency at race speed. Brooks emphasized the importance of trusting the process and continuing to focus on long-term development. By the spring series, he was skiing with significantly greater confidence and demonstrated his ability to compete at a high level against deep international fields.

Even with this season being a return from injury year, Caleb finished the year with his best Nor am rankings of his career and lowest international rankings ever across Sl, GS, & SG. Caleb also stood at the top of the podium at the final race series at Nakiska, winning the overall FIS GMC Cup!

Thomas Cais

Thomas Cais continued to make important strides throughout the season, particularly in his consistency and ability to manage high-level race environments. Competing across multiple venues and snow conditions, Cais demonstrated steady growth while gaining critical experience against some of the top racers in North America.

He reflected on his strong commitment to technical development and an increasing understanding of the preparation required to compete consistently at the NORAM level. Cais also played an important role within the team environment, contributing to the positive culture and professionalism that defined the group throughout the season.

Graeme Cliff

Graeme Cliff enjoyed one of the strongest seasons among Alberta’s men’s athletes that were competing in the speed disciplines. In his first season with the team, Cliff quickly established himself as a competitive presence on the NORAM circuit, recording multiple top-20 speed results and finishing 21st overall in the NORAM Downhill standings.

Throughout the season, Cliff demonstrated significant progression in his confidence and tactical execution. He frequently highlighted the importance of experience, course inspection preparation, and learning to manage the intensity of elite-level downhill racing.

Cliff’s performances throughout the winter positioned him as one of Alberta’s emerging speed prospects heading into next season with a current world age ranking sub top 10!

Gavin Johnson

Gavin Johnson continued to build valuable experience throughout the season while competing in a demanding schedule of training camps and race series. Johnson’s season was defined by steady growth and increasing consistency, particularly within technical events.

His reflections throughout the year emphasized the importance of learning from each race environment and maintaining focus through the inevitable ups and downs of a long season. He consistently approached training and competition with professionalism and a strong work ethic, continuing to lay the groundwork for future success.

Aidan Kometz

Aidan Kometz delivered one of the most true representations of what a season can look like for someone returning from injury. His season was filled with both the excitement and difficulty of competing at a high-performance level, emphasizing the razor-thin margins that separate athletes in elite ski racing.

Over the course of the year he spoke candidly about the mental side of performance, the frustrations that can come with setbacks, and the lessons learned through difficult race days. Despite challenges, he consistently demonstrated resilience and a commitment to continued improvement.

Cole Merrett

Cole Merrett continued to show growth throughout the season while embracing the demands of racing and training at the next level. His season included valuable exposure to elite competition environments across North America and opportunities to refine both his technical and physical preparation.

Merrett reflected a strong appreciation for the process of long-term development and the importance of consistency in training habits. He demonstrated maturity in his approach to both successes and setbacks while continuing to push his skiing forward throughout the winter.

William Puloski

William Puloski built important momentum throughout the season as he continued adapting to the demands of high-level competition. Racing against deep NORAM and FIS fields provided valuable learning opportunities that contributed significantly to his development.

Puloski consistently emphasized the importance of confidence and preparation, noting how exposure to elite racing environments accelerated his growth as an athlete. His positive attitude and willingness to learn were key components of his progression throughout the year.

Growth Beyond Results

While race performances highlighted the team’s competitive progress, the season was equally defined by personal growth and resilience.

Overcoming adversity was a major theme for all the athletes this season. That adversity cam in many different forms for each individual athlete including difficult race conditions throughout the spring race season. Warm temperatures and weather disruptions impacted races at Panorama, Aspen, and Nakiska, forcing athletes to adapt quickly and maintain focus despite cancellations and inconsistent surfaces.

The season strengthened not only the athletes skiing but also their mental toughness, discipline, and ability to manage the demands of travel, recovery, preparation, and performance.

Looking Ahead

As the season came to a close with National Championships, spring series races, and final training blocks at Sunshine, the Alberta Ski Team leaves the year with significant momentum.

The experiences gained this season, from international training camps to the pressures of the NORAM circuit, have helped lay the foundation for future success. Athletes developed confidence, gained valuable exposure at the next level, and strengthened the habits required to continue progressing toward national and international competition.

Most importantly, the 2025–26 season demonstrated the resilience, professionalism, and passion of Alberta’s athletes. Their commitment to improvement, willingness to embrace challenges, and support for one another made this season one to be proud of.

Alberta Alpine would like to thank all athletes, coaches, clubs, and volunteers for their continued support throughout the season. Finally a huge thank you to our sponsors, the GMC Dealers of Alberta, Mountain Fire Foods, Genstar, Karbon Sports, Inspired Go, and Gear Up Mountain Sports. Your support helps make everything possible. The future of Alberta ski racing remains incredibly bright, and the team looks forward to building on this year’s momentum heading into 2026–27.

Congratulations to the 2026 Alberta Alpine Scholarship Winners

Franklin Donald Bean Award: Cole Merrett, PANO/Alberta Ski Team

Dave Murray Memorial Scholarship: Noemie Brooks, Banff Alpine Racers

Ski Canada Magazine Awards 2026:

• Addelyn Nowell, Kananaskis Alpine Ski Team
• Chase Miller, Westcastle Ski Club

Brent Marshall Memorial Scholarship: Loren Hannema, Banff Alpine Racers

Cary Mullen Awards:

• U12 (m) – Thomas Opelik, Bow Valley Quikies
• U12 (f)- tie: Noelle Westergard, Calgary Alpine Snoflyers and Brooke Willie, Edmonton Alpine SRS
• U14/16 (m) – Callum Cunningham, Snow Valley Racing
• U14/16 (f) Jayu Kim, Paskapoo Alpine Racing Team
• FIS – Deavyn Parchewsky, Banff Alpine Racers/ Plymouth State University Skiing

Rob Bosinger Ski Scholarship:

• Stella Smith, Banff Alpine Racers
• Blade Jensen, Calgary Alpine Racing Club

Speed Sisters 2026 brought together nearly 50 U14 – FIS female athletes from across Alberta and Saskatchewan for three inspiring days of learning, progression, and connection. Centered around the theme “Find Your Fearless,” this year’s camp encouraged athletes to step beyond their comfort zones, embrace new challenges, and feel confident expressing joy and excitement on snow.

Through strong GS and SL progressions, the camp created a space where athletes were introduced to new drills, worked with different coaches, and gained fresh perspectives. This helped build confidence not only in their skiing, but in themselves. Part of the week included freeskiing the backside and the park at Lake Louise Ski Resort, where many athletes explored new terrain and, for some, skied their most challenging run or tackled their biggest jump yet. This dynamic setting allowed athletes to develop both the physical and mental skills needed to take on these challenges.

A standout for many of the girls was the culminating synchro ski competition. Athletes teamed up, created routines, coordinated costumes, and performed for their peers, bringing creativity, teamwork, and energy to the hill.

A huge thank you to camp coaches Britt Ferguson, Avery Lebsack, Erin Fynn, Emily Clarke, Lauren Schroeder, Katrina van Soest, Hannah Schultz, and to our guest coach/mentors Amy Attalla, Katie Smith, Lauren Koper, Mikaela Wunsch, Makenna Lebsack, Abby Garnsey, and Emma Peterson for sharing your knowledge, experiences, and passion. Your leadership continues to inspire the next generation to love the sport and strive to improve.

Thank you to Lake Louise Ski Resort for providing an incredible training environment and to Genstar for their generous support of this camp.

Speed Sisters continues to stand out for providing a positive, inclusive, and fun atmosphere, where athletes feel empowered to take risks, try new things, grow together, and of course, to dance their way through it all.

Jennifer Clarridge
Athletic Director, Lake Louise Ski Clubs

As the ski season winds down, most athletes and recreational skiers alike are already looking ahead to spring objectives, summer training, or simply a well-earned rest. But one of the most overlooked opportunities to protect performance and extend equipment life happens right now: the end-of-season ski tune.

For alpine athletes, ski bases and edges take a significant beating over the course of a season. Repeated exposure to abrasive snow conditions, variable temperatures, and high-speed training environments gradually degrades both base structure and edge precision. Even for recreational skiers, micro-damage accumulates – often invisibly – impacting glide, control, and overall ski feel.

Why an End-of-Season Tune Matters

A proper end-of-season tune is not just maintenance; it’s preservation and performance preparation.

• Base Repair and Structure Reset
  Over time, ski bases become oxidized and dry, reducing their ability to absorb wax and glide efficiently. A professional stone grind restores the base structure, optimizing water displacement and glide characteristics for future conditions.
• Edge Restoration
  Edge sharpness and consistency are critical for control, especially on firm snow. Small burrs and inconsistencies can develop throughout the season, compromising edge hold. A precise tune restores uniformity and confidence.
• Wax Saturation for Storage
  Applying a high-quality storage wax protects the base from drying out over the off-season, ensuring skis are ready to perform immediately when next season begins.
• Equipment Longevity
  Regular tuning extends the usable life of skis, protecting what is often a significant investment for athletes and families.

Technology Matters: The GearUp Advantage

Our partner, GearUp Mountain Sports, brings industry-leading tuning technology to the Bow Valley, delivering a level of precision typically reserved for elite race environments.

Using advanced Montana tuning systems, widely trusted across World Cup circuits, GearUp offers:

• Consistent, race-level edge angles with micron-level accuracy
• Precision stone grinding tailored to snow conditions and skier profile
• Automated processes that eliminate variability and enhance repeatability
• High-performance wax application systems that maximize absorption and durability

This level of precision ensures that every ski – whether used by a developing athlete or a high-performance racer – receives a consistent, top-tier finish.

Athlete Perspective

Alberta Ski Team athlete and FIS GMC Cup champion Caleb Brooks emphasizes just how critical proper ski preparation is:

“At the highest level, you’re looking for every advantage you can get. The consistency you get from a high-quality tune, especially with the kind of equipment GearUp is running, makes a real difference in how your skis feel and perform on snow. It’s something you notice immediately.”

A Small Investment, A Meaningful Return

In high-performance sport, marginal gains matter. The difference between a clean carve and a lost edge, or between acceleration and drag, often comes down to equipment preparation. An end-of-season tune is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to protect those gains.  For our Alberta Ski Team athletes, it’s part of a broader philosophy: respect your equipment, and it will perform when it matters most.

As you wrap up your season, we encourage you to take advantage of the expertise and technology available through GearUp Mountain Sports. Alberta Alpine members are eligible for preferred pricing: simply ask for the member benefits discount when booking your service.

Gear Up Mountain Sports is located in Canmore at 1302 Bow Valley Trail. Visit https://gearupsport.com/

The Quest for Gold golf tournament is back, presented by the Buick GMC Dealers of Alberta. Tee off Monday, June 1st at Silvertip Resort in support of the 2026/27 Alberta Ski Team which will be announced at the 19th hole. A few high visibility sponsorship opportunities are still available – reach out to Greg if you want to see your company name set in front of Canmore’s stunning backdrop! 

Early-bird registration is now open – https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=41660

As a Member, Stakeholder, and passionate race fan of Alberta Alpine Ski Association, you are requested to please take part in nominating outstanding Albertan candidates for the 2026 Alpine Canada (ACA) Awards of Excellence.

The objective of this process is to foster excellence within our sport by celebrating and recognizing individuals and organizations that exemplify and align with the values of performance and community.

The winners of the provincial award categories will comprise the national pool for ACA’s National Awards selection which will be completed by an independent National Award Selection Committee.

Deadline for AASA nominations is May 28, 2026. National awards are expected to be announced in Fall 2026.

We look forward to your nominations and celebrating these individuals and organizations with you!

Josh Benge
Athletic Director, Alberta Alpine Ski Association

The ACA 2026 Awards of Excellence call for nominations is live here: https://forms.gle/VzJUTkRVCipz5TQQ7

Banff, AB – The annual 2026 Bozo Cup Weekend returned to Mt. Norquay April 17–19, delivering an unforgettable three days of competition, community, and celebration in support of the next generation of Canadian alpine ski racers. And kicking off the weekend was the inaugural Crazy Canuck Challenge.

Bringing together corporate teams, community members, and legendary Canadian skiers for a high-energy team race experience, the Crazy Canuck Challenge was designed as a fun and impactful fundraising initiative. Teams of four were paired with a ski legend – including familiar names like Jeffrey Read, John Kucera, and Kiki Alexander – creating a unique opportunity for participants to learn, compete, and connect while contributing to a meaningful cause. Proceeds from this new event support Alberta athletes in their pursuit of international competition, including the World Cup and Olympic Winter Games, through the Alberta Alpine Legacy Fund.

The excitement continued throughout the weekend with the Bozo Cup and Kinder Cup, held April 18–19 as part of the annual Rob Bosinger Memorial Weekend. Athletes ranging from young racers to seasoned competitors and Olympians took to the slopes in a head-to-head dual slalom format, creating fast-paced, spectator-friendly racing.

 “The Crazy Canuck Challenge, Bozo Cup, and Kinder Cup are more than just races—they are a celebration of our ski racing community,” said Pete Bosinger. “From young athletes to legends of the sport, this weekend brings everyone together to honour our brother Rob and our family, support the present, and invest in the future. We are proud to have raised over $30,000 in 2026 during the Rob Bosinger Memorial Weekend.”

For close to 20 years now, this event has played an important role in supporting athlete development and charitable foundations. Funds raised through this weekend’s events —through entry fees, auctions and donations—contribute to both the Alberta Alpine Legacy Fund and the Rob Bosinger Youth Ski Scholarships, helping Alberta athletes continue their progression in the sport. A portion of the proceeds from Bozo Cup also support the Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS) and Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Hosted at Mt. Norquay, celebrating their 100^th anniversary, the three-day event once again reinforced its reputation as one of the most unique and impactful weekends in Canadian alpine skiing, combining high-level competition with fundraising, mentorship, and community spirit. 

For more information, visit www.bozocup.com

Banff, AB  – Speed and style reigned supreme throughout the 2026 Bozo Cup Weekend at Mt. Norquay this past weekend, and the Kinder Cup was no exception! Featuring creative costumes and open to U14 and U16 athletes, competitors took to the slopes in a head-to-head dual slalom format, creating fast-paced, spectator-friendly racing. From TicTacs and Kinder Surprises, to fighter pilots and a basketball team, this year-end classic illustrates the strong sense of camaraderie across the alpine community and showcases up-and-coming talent.

The U16 Rob Bosinger Ski Scholarships are also presented by the Bosinger family each year at the Kinder Cup. Congratulations to this year’s winners:

• Stella Smith (Banff Alpine Racers)
• Blade Jensen (Calgary Alpine Racing Club)

These athletes are 2nd year U16 ski racers who exemplify the qualities that Rob stood for including passion for the sport, ambition, and courage, combined with talent and accomplishment in pursuit of excellence in ski racing in Alberta.

More 2026 scholarship announcements to come!

Sunshine Village, AB – The Sunshine Alpine Racers hosted the U12 Provincial Finals this past weekend, welcoming over 200 athletes for an exciting and competitive series of Giant Slalom and Slalom races. As the second of two province-wide competitions this season, the event brought together young racers from across Alberta and beyond, all eager to test themselves against the province’s best.

Athletes made the journey to the Bow Valley from as far north as Cold Lake, with strong representation from Edmonton-area clubs, Jasper, Red Deer, and Calgary. Teams from Panorama and Westcastle were also in attendance, along with a small contingent of visiting athletes from Ontario, adding even more depth and excitement to the field.

The Finals provided a clear snapshot of athlete development at the U12 level. Over the course of the season, these young skiers have made significant strides in their technical skills, confidence, and race-day execution. At this stage, many programs are cementing the fundamental skill acquisition that athletes have been working on all year while adding more structured technical and tactical development. The result was evident on the hill, where athletes demonstrated improved line choice, better stance on their skis, and a growing ability to adapt to varying course conditions.

Both race days featured two single-run races, providing athletes with multiple opportunities to deliver strong performances and apply what they’ve learned throughout the season. This format is a positive and developmentally appropriate approach at the U12 level, encouraging athletes to ski with confidence and intent on every run. It allows for more race exposure and repetition, helping build skills and experience without the added pressure and complexity of managing a two-run combined result

Race organizers were equally prepared, delivering a well-run and professional event from start to finish. From course preparation to timing and volunteer coordination, the Sunshine Alpine Racers and their dedicated team ensured a smooth experience for athletes, coaches, and families alike.

Phil Wilson, Technical Delegate (TD) for the event—whose role is independent of the Race Organizing Committee and focused on ensuring fair and safe competition—shared his thoughts:
“It was a great race with a large field. The weather was perfect for the GS races and the courses challenged the athletes. On the Sunday, the ROC had to deal with some snow but had a great race surface. The long gates challenged some of the athletes and they got to race two very different sets.”

Beyond the results, the weekend was filled with meaningful moments, personal best performances, breakthrough runs, and the chance for athletes to connect with peers from across the province. For many, these Finals represent not just competition, but a celebration of a season’s worth of hard work and progress.

One of the standout highlights of the weekend was a special visit from Sunshine’s own 2026 Olympian, Kiki Alexander. Kiki spent time on-site Saturday, cheering on athletes, skiing with the forerunners, signing autographs, and sharing her experiences during the awards ceremony. Her presence left a lasting impression on the young racers, offering both inspiration and perspective on what is possible through dedication and passion for the sport. Some things that she has learned along her path to the Canadian National Team:

Q: How old were you when you first wanted to do Olympics?

Kiki: I started skiing when I was 6 and I feel like I was always just super competitive and I think it was always, honestly, a life-long dream of mine.

Q: What did you learn at Sunshine Ski Club?

Kiki: Joining the Sunshine Alpine Racers was pretty life-changing for me because at that time, I was struggling a bit finding a love for it [skiing], and coming back to Sunshine they really helped me find my love and passion for skiing. Sometimes with racing we get into this hard-core attitude – it’s an intense sport – but at the end of the day you have to be able to find your love for skiing again and that’s what takes you so, so far.

Q: What’s your fastest time?

Kiki: Well that depends on the course, but my fastest SPEED though was actually doing the Lake Louise Downhill going 135 kmph! (wild cheers from the kids)

Q; When did you win your first award?

Kiki: I probably would have been about your guys’ age, it was in Jasper…I don’t know if you guys go up there anymore? (cries of ‘yes we do!!’) OK, so ya, my first award would have been at Marmot.

Q Where did you go to school?

Kiki: I was born in Calgary and raised in Cochrane and just went to the public schools in Cochrane. I had really awesome teachers, and good communication with my teachers and would tell them, ‘hey, I’m going to miss some school, can you please help me out?’ You know, I would ask for things in advance and work really hard while I was on the road. I feel like that’s a super important one…keep up with your studies!

Q: Have you ever broken a bone while skiing?

Kiki: I did! So it would have been 2022, I actually ended up tearing my ACL, lateral meniscus, and fractured the head of my femur. But I was able to come back full force, ski better than I ever had, so if you’re ever coming back from an injury don’t ever think that’s what ‘s going to hold you back – just keep working hard!

More from Kiki: I think the friendships that you guys make in ski racing are not like any others, so I think, you know, having people around you who really support you, really believe in you, who you can talk to about anything and also, again, I will always say this and always come back to remembering why we’re doing this. We’re doing this because we love to ski and I always say even a hard day of skiing is better than any day sitting in a classroom in my opinion!

To our incredible race organizing committees, clubs, coaches, and volunteers across the province, THANK YOU!

On behalf of Alberta Alpine, I want to extend our sincere appreciation for the time, energy, and passion you have invested throughout this past season. From the first days of training to the final races on the calendar, your collective efforts created an environment where athletes could learn, grow, and perform at their best.

Our ROC’s worked tirelessly behind the scenes to deliver safe, fair, and high-quality competitions. These events are more than just races, they are critical development opportunities. Every start, every course set, and every well-run event provides athletes with the platform to build skills, gain confidence, and take the next step in their progression. Your commitment to excellence plays a direct role in shaping the future of our sport.

To our clubs, thank you for your leadership and collaboration. You are the foundation of athlete development in Alberta. By hosting events, supporting programming, and fostering strong club environments, you are helping athletes not only achieve performance goals, but also develop resilience, sportsmanship, and a lifelong connection to skiing.

To our coaches, we want to recognize the vital role you play every single day. Your dedication extends far beyond the finish line, early mornings, long days on snow, travel, planning, and constant mentorship. You are educators, leaders, and role models. The growth we see in our athletes, technically, tactically, and personally, is a direct reflection of your commitment to their development. Thank you for the care, professionalism, and passion you bring to our sport.

And to our volunteers, course workers, gate judges, timers, organizers,  chiefs to first timers, and supporters, our sport simply cannot exist without you. Your willingness to show up, often in challenging conditions, ensures that every athlete has the opportunity to compete in a safe and supportive environment. Your contributions are essential to both the success of each event and the overall development pathway.

Because of all of you, we have been able to deliver meaningful, high-quality experiences that support athlete progression at every level. Together, you are building not only better ski racers, but stronger individuals and a more connected alpine community.

Thank you for being the backbone of our sport and for your unwavering commitment to athlete development in Alberta.

I am truly grateful and look forward to continuing this work together next season.

Josh Benge

Nakiska Ski Resort, AB – For the highest calibre alpine ski racers in the province, it all came down to last week’s FIS GMC Cup Series FINALS at Nakiska to determine who would claim the overall title for the 2025/26 season. Over 250 athletes took part, coming from club, provincial and even national teams, so competition was fierce and it was a solid opportunity for all athletes to see how they stacked up after a winter of training and racing throughout North America.

Slated to start with 2 days of Super-G as of Tuesday, Mother Nature had other ideas and the first event day was scrapped due to mild and unsafe conditions for a speed event, but come Wednesday, the weather cleared, the surface was firm and race organizers pulled off an amazing double header, running two 1-run Super G races per gender. In the morning race, Ontario’s Emma James narrowly beat the field with a 1:08:90, less than a tenth of a second recorded between Estelle Martin (1:08:96) and Rachel Tiviluk (1:08:98). Top Albertan in the women’s race was Mikayla Wunsch in 4^th place.  Canmore’s Jeffrey Read (CAST) topped the podium in the Men’s first race with a 1:05:00 ahead of BC’s Sasha Gilbert (1:05:37) and Colton Bartholomew (1:05:73) . In the afternoon, James again claimed first for the women (1:08:48) just ahead of Gabby Wall, top Albertan with a 1:08:57 and, again, Rachel Tiviluk (1:08:59) from Georgian Peaks. In the 2^nd Men’s Super-G race, the US athletes crept on to the podium with Abraham Musty (team?) in first (1:03:82) and just ahead of Sasha Gilbert again in second (1:03:86), with Everett Dooley (team) trailing by only one-hundredth of a second in third…and incredibly close race. Top Albertan was Caleb Brooks in 4^th place, missing the podium by 3 one-hundredths of a second.

The sun came out in full force for both days of Giant Slalom (GS) and athletes shone too, seeing a Canadian National Team sweep of the podium in the 1^st Men’s GS Thursday led again by Jeffrey Read with 1:48:15 combined, ahead of teammate Jake Kertesz-Knight (1:49:02) and brother Erik (1:49:11). Alberta weas well represented on the women’s podium led by CAST member Kendra Giesbrecht (1:51:10), with Gabby Wall (U of C Dinos) trailing by :14 (1:51:24) and Rebecca Pelkey (BAR) in third with 1:52:06. Friday’s race Saw Jeffrey Read (1:46:41) own the podium once again, followed by Colton Bartholomew (1:46:80) in second and Jesse Kertesz-Knight (1:46:93) in third place. The Women’s podium just shuffled the same three athletes from the previous day, this time Gabby Wall (1:55:40) taking the win ahead of Pelkey (1:55:70) and Giesbrecht (1:55:97).

The two, final Slalom events took place over the weekend and, while the snowy weather returned for Sunday, it did not dampen the mood as racers battled some tough courses to come out on top. On Saturday, Jesse Kertesz-Knight had a commanding lead by more than  a second over silver winner Thomas Carnahan and third place Erik Read.  Kendra Giesbrecht earned the gold ahead of Dinos’ Mikayla Wunsch and Gabby Wall in 2^nd and 3^rd respectively. Day two of the slalom got off to an unusual start…that was restarted after a gate was incorrectly replaced after being knocked out and two athletes’ times were recorded before the error was rectified. After a few more athletes ran the original line, and it was determined that the mis-set gate marked an unfairly fast line, the race was scrapped and restarted. According to TD Rob Tupper, and 3 other TD-accredited officials on course that day, it was something not seen before; however, being the independent authority on fairness and safety, the call was made to restart the men’s race. At the end of the day, Jesse Kertesz-Knight took yet another win for the series, trailed by Alberta Ski Team athlete Caleb Brooks and Dinos’ Taras Dets in third. On the women’s side, U of C’s Gabby Wall claimed gold, ahead of Estelle Martin by .24 of a second, and Kendra Giesbrecht in third place. Sunday’s race also marked the retirement for a few athletes, a bittersweet milestone marked by lots of cheers and the occasional costume, and congratulatory hugs in the finish corral.

The overall FIS GMC Cup was determined on a points system combining results from 22 separate race starts over six race series (including this series) during the 2025/26 season:

December:

• Panorama 3XGS & 1XSL
• Mt. Norquay 2XSL

January:

• Nakiska 2GS & 1SL

February:

• Mt. Norquay 2XGS & 2XSL

March:

• Lake Louise, 4XSL (in 2 days!)

The overall top three for each gender were awarded FIS GMC Cup plaques, and the winners’ names will be added to the prestigious GMC Cup trophies, in circulation among the Alberta ski racing elite since the 1970’s.

Congratulations to this year’s FIS GMC Cup champions:

WOMEN

1. Gabby WALL, U of C Dinos
2. Nikola BUCHAR, Windermere Ski Club
3. Elena DEDA, Windermere Ski Club

MEN

1. Caleb BROOKS, Alberta Ski Team/Lake Louise Ski Club
2. Jake KERTESZ-KNIGHT, Canadian Alpine Ski Team/Banff Alpine Racers
3. Jesse KERTESZ-KNIGHT, Canadian Alpine Ski Team/Banff Alpine Racers

Official results for the entire FIS GMC Cup Series at Nakiska can be found here >>

Dear athlete, coach, parent, official and volunteer,

You are the heart of sport — its energy, its passion, and its future. As you push boundaries, break records, and inspire communities, remember that true greatness begins with safety, respect, and integrity.

Safe sport is not just a policy — it’s a promise. A promise that every participant, regardless of age, background, or level, deserves to train, compete, and thrive in an environment free from abuse, discrimination, and harm.

We need your support to promote these important values by showing respect among the sport community and to report situations where the conduct of someone is not respectful of these values.

Your voice matters. Your actions matter. By standing up for safe sport, you’re not only protecting yourself — you’re protecting your teammates, your sport, and the generations to come.

Be informed. Be involved. Be a leader. Speak up. Support others. Demand accountability. Together, we can build a culture where safety is the standard, not the exception.

Let’s make sport a place where everyone feels empowered, respected, and safe — always.

Anyone who witnesses or experiences inappropriate behavior in our organization’s environment can report it in complete confidentiality.

Participants, employees, members, community and partners now have access to the Alberta Safe Sport Complaint Mechanism (ABSSCM) operated by our external partner, ALIAS (effective April 1, 2026).

Every report is received and handled by ALIAS, the independent provider. PSOs are engaged only as required by policy (e.g., jurisdiction or implementing an outcome.) Our goal is to prevent and address misconduct, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all.

Here is the link to file a complaint: https://albertaalpine.ca/safesport/
Thank you for your commitment to safe sport.