With Mother Nature winning this year’s round, attendees of the annual Quest for Gold golf fundraiser presented by GMC at Silvertip Resort were in for a unique event with the Alberta ski community on June 1^st.

The 19th hole was the only one not cancelled due to snow and over 100 people were on hand to enjoy the program. Harrison Wolfe from Wolfe GMC Canmore introduced the 2026/7 Alberta Ski Team athletes, Ken Read announced the winners of this year’s Read Family Scholarships – Shae Mullen and Caleb Brooks – and we recognized our retiring provincial team athletes with alumni athlete belt buckles and best wishes for the future. (Full team announcement to come in the July edition of Inside Track!)

We are grateful for our sponsors, our participants, volunteers and supporters of this annual event, and we look forward to seeing everyone on the course next year.

Save the date for Quest for Gold, June 7, 2027!

Brady Leman presents Another Stampede Ski Social in support of the Alberta Alpine Ski Association.
June 25, 2026.
Wild Rose Brewery Taproom. 4580 Quesnay Wood Dr SW, Calgary Alberta
Tickets: https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=41983

Please join Alberta Alpine to kick-off your Stampede Season with a quality evening at the Wild Rose Brewery Taproom. Enjoy a beverage and appetizers, and get into the Stampede spirit with the Alberta Ski Racing Community!

All proceeds will support the Alberta Alpine Ski Association in the 2026-2027 season.

While Mother Nature may have won this year’s round, we hope everyone had a memorable adventure yesterday at Silvertip and enjoyed a unique event with the Alberta ski community at our annual Quest for Gold golf fundraiser presented by GMC! We are very grateful for your support.

And while the extraordinary snowfall prevented us from playing golf, our PD Josh Benge was able to cut some fresh tracks down the 18th to a round of applause from the rest of the group at the clubhouse below. Thanks Perry Thompson for capturing that!

Our 19th Hole program got rescheduled to follow breakfast so we could still present the 2026/7 Alberta Ski Team athletes, announce winners of this year’s Read Family Scholarships, Shae O’Brien and Caleb Brooks, and recognize our retiring provincial team athletes with alumni athlete belt buckles and best wishes for the future.

We are grateful for our sponsors, our participants, volunteers and supporters of this annual event, and we look forward to seeing everyone on the course next year.

Save the date for Quest for Gold, June 7, 2027!

We are excited to announce our online Quest for Gold raffle for a $1000 Gift Certificate for The Bike Shop in support of the 2026-27 Alberta Ski Team. Grab your tickets now! Limited amount of 50 tickets available.

Ticket Prices
5 for $100
3 for $65
1 for $25

Thank you for your support!

https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/ast-tbs-raffle

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!