By: Josh Benge. Athletic Director – Alberta Alpine

Keeping the Long View: Why Patience Matters in Alberta Ski Racing

Ski racing in Alberta is built on passion. Athletes commit countless hours on snow, families invest time and resources, and clubs and coaches work tirelessly to create meaningful opportunities. In an environment driven by competition and performance, it can be tempting to focus on short-term results, rankings, podiums, early success, or quick progression. However, the most successful athletes, programs, and systems are those that keep a clear focus on long-term development rather than immediate gains.

Development Is Not Linear

One of the most important truths in ski racing is that athlete development is rarely a straight line. Growth happens in phases, technical, physical, emotional, and tactical, and these phases do not always align neatly with race results. An athlete who dominates at a young age may plateau later, while another who develops more gradually may thrive in U16, FIS, or beyond.

In Alberta, where athletes face the unique challenges presented by our geography such as weather variability, travel distances, and limited training windows, patience becomes even more critical. Early success should never come at the expense of sound fundamentals, athletic literacy, or long-term motivation.

The Risk of Short-Term Thinking

Short-term thinking often shows up in subtle ways:

• Prioritizing race results over skill acquisition
• Pushing athletes into higher levels before they are physically or emotionally ready
• Over-specializing too early
• Measuring success only by podiums, rankings, or points

While these approaches may produce quick wins, they frequently undermine long-term progress. Athletes may struggle later with technical limitations, burnout, injury, or loss of confidence when competition becomes more demanding.

True development focuses on what the athlete is learning, not just where they are finishing.

Building Complete Ski Racers

Alberta’s development pathway is designed to build complete athletes, skiers who are adaptable, resilient, technically sound, and confident across varied terrain and conditions. Disciplines such as ski cross, free skiing, and varied training environments play a critical role in this process, particularly at younger ages.

For U12 and U14 athletes, success should be measured by:

• Improved balance, coordination, and how the athlete stands on their skis
• Comfort on varied terrain and snow conditions
• Growing race awareness and decision-making
• Positive relationships with teammates, coaches, and competition

These qualities may not always translate immediately into results, but they are essential foundations for future performance.

The Role of Families

Families play a central role in shaping an athlete’s experience in ski racing. A long-term mindset from parents and caregivers helps create an environment where athletes feel supported rather than pressured.

This includes:

• Valuing effort, learning, and resilience over outcomes
• Trusting coaches and development pathways
• Allowing athletes time to grow at their own pace
• Understanding that setbacks are part of progress

When families reinforce patience and perspective, athletes are more likely to stay engaged, motivated, and confident as challenges increase.

Trusting the Process

Long-term development requires trust. Trust in coaches, in programs, and in the pathway itself. It also requires consistency and collaboration across clubs, zones, and provincial initiatives. Alberta’s strength lies in its ability to provide diverse opportunities while keeping athlete development at the centre of decision-making.

The ultimate goal is not early success, but sustained performance, lifelong enjoyment of the sport, and the ability to reach an athlete’s full potential over time.

Looking Ahead

Ski racing is a long game. The athletes who succeed at the highest levels are rarely the ones who rushed the process, they are the ones who built strong foundations, embraced challenges, and stayed committed through the ups and downs.

By keeping the long view in focus, Alberta ski racing can continue to develop athletes who are not only competitive, but capable, confident, and passionate about the sport for years to come.

Come be part of the fun at the FIS GMC CUP Lake Louise Slalom Extravaganza. happening March 13th to 14th.  We’re also looking for crew on March 12th for course set-up

It’s a great way to spend some time outdoors, see high level racing, and be part of something special at Lake Louise. We’d love to have you on the team.

Registration: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/LLSlalomExtravaganza#/

Alberta Alpine scholarships are now posted for 2026.

Alberta Alpine is pleased to offer a variety of award and scholarship opportunities. We encourage all athletes to apply; note age categories to ensure eligibility. Awards and scholarships are reviewed and selected by an independent selection committee.

The deadline for submissions are;

March 26, 2026 (12pm)

• Rob Bosinger Ski Scholarship (U16)
• David Murray Memorial Scholarship (U19, U21)
• Ski Canada Magazine Award (U14, U16)
• Franklin Donald Bean Award (AST)
• Brent Marshall Memorial Scholarship (U16, U19)
• Cary Mullen Nomination (U12, U14/16, FIS, AST)

May 15, 2026

• Read Family Scholarship (AST)

Coaches, athletes and general club members are welcome to submit Cary Mullen nominations for athletes who display the qualities Cary views as essential: Courage, Commitment, Confidence and Camaraderie.

Grande Prairie, AB – This past weekend the Nitehawk Alpine Ski Team hosted their annual Frozen Moose event which, this year, combined an alpine ski race AND a ski cross training event simultaneously! It was busy, but athletes, coaches and volunteers alike had a blast! Athletes from Cold Lake and Valley Ski Club participated as well.

Saturday saw the U12 athletes training ski cross with former ASX athlete Kiersten Vincett. They learned start technique, feature management and got to experience some fun heats! U14/16/19 athletes ran both a two-run slalom and a single-run GS race. On Sunday, organizers flipped the program and the U12 athletes did some dual panelled slalom fun races, while the U14/16/19 athletes took their turn on the ski cross course with Kiersten. 

On Saturday evening, athletes, coaches and parents enjoyed a speaker panel of Canadian National Ski Cross Team members Courtney Hoffos, Abby McEwen and India Sherret via Teams, who share their stories and answered audience questions. “What was your worst injury?”  asked by one of the younger athletes drew some laughs from all three ladies who responded with, “do you want a laundry list?” Despite sharing some examples that highlight the danger of the sport, exactly zero kids were deterred (sorry parents!) and, instead, all the athletes were even more inspired to take advantage of the training opportunity offered. All in all, the evening was a great way to engage the ski community off the slopes in a social atmosphere.

“We’re very thankful of our host venue, Nitehawk Year-Round Adventure Park, for their support of this event,”  said Chief of Race and NAST President, Ashley Woytiuk, “and thanks also to Alberta Alpine, the GMC Dealers of Alberta, and our very own The Drop Rideshop for providing some awesome draw prizes that added to the fun of the event.

The Nitehawk Alpine Ski Team is a local kid’s ski racing club that promotes the sport of alpine skiing and competitive racing in and around the Grande Prairie area. The club offers kids ages 4 to 16 the opportunity to develop their skiing skills, pursue competitive ski racing, and be a part of a fantastic team environment that engages them in life long outdoor recreation. All  members are registered with Alberta Alpine and can compete in both traditional downhill and ski cross events.

The club is a non-profit that operates primarily out of Nitehawk Year-Round Adventure Park, with additional training and competitive racing at other Northern AB ski hills. The primary goals of the Nitehawk Alpine Ski Team, in addition to producing excellent skiers, is to engage youth in our community in an active lifestyle, develop a team attitude and to guide them towards a lifetime love of alpine skiing. Visit https://www.nitehawkalpine.com/ for more info.

Jasper, AB – The Jasper Junior Olympics (JJO) took over Marmot Basin this past weekend, an annual event in its 47th year!! One of the largest Nancy Greene Ski League gatherings of its kind, it draws keen ski racing kids from a multitude of clubs from across Northern Alberta, and this year was no exception, with over 250 young athletes taking part.

Friday kicked off with heavy snowfall, but everyone arrived safely. Set-up was busy with all hands on deck, and the energy was already building. The kids enjoyed free skiing with their coaches and clubs, making the most of the fresh snow and getting comfortable on the hill.

Saturday brought beautiful weather and plenty of fresh powder. The parking lot was full, volunteers showed up in full force, and the athletes were ready to go. The atmosphere was electric all day long. The youngest category (ages 4 &5) spent their day on course on School House, while the older  U8 and U10 athletes raced Giant Slalom on Dromedary. Coaches and spectators could see the athletes’ performances improve as the day went on, showing a real desire to challenge themselves and give it their best. At 2:00, the 4 and 5 year-old “Dream Team” participants received their awards — they did an incredible job and showed so much determination and heart!

Sunday treated everybody to blue skies and sunshine. The kids were all smiles, families gathered for parking lot lunches, and the positive vibes continued. Jasper the Bear joined the celebration at the 2:00 awards, making it extra special. There were lots of prizes for volunteers and great swag for the athletes to wrap up an unforgettable weekend.

“The JJO weekend went really well.” said Tyler Riopel, JST and Chief of Event Quality. “The weather cooperated and everyone had a good time which felt very positive during what was a very tough weekend in the ski racing community.”

Organizers want to extend a mountain of thanks to Warren and Faith and the whole Stetson GMC team out of Hinton, Alberta who were on site to be part of the event, as well as to Marmot Basin, Alberta Alpine, and community sponsors and volunteers who contributed to the weekend’s success.

CLUB SPOTLIGHT: The Jasper Ski Team is an alpine ski racing team based at Marmot Basin in Jasper National Park. We are a friendly and welcoming club with athletes from the ages of 6 to 16 on our team. Our U10 (Nancy Greene) program is a fun, progressive and exciting program for athletes between the ages 6 and 9 to be a part of. A 25-day program with most training days taking place on Sundays throughout the winter, we focus on creating a safe and friendly learning environment where we hope not only to improve the athlete’s skiing ability but also ‘soft’ skills such as leadership and teamwork. For more information, go to http://www.jasperskiteam.org/contact-us.html

The Alberta Alpine Ski Association is deeply saddened to share that two of our athletes were involved in an avalanche incident on February 27 at Nakiska Ski Area. One athlete was able to self-rescue, while the second was buried. After being rescued by first responders and the best efforts of emergency services, the athlete passed away after being transported to hospital.

We are heartbroken and profoundly saddened by this tragic loss of life, and we extend our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family as they navigate this unimaginable grief.

Our entire community is shaken by this event, and our thoughts and prayers are with the athletes, their families, teammates, and coaches during this incredibly difficult time. We recognize that this situation has had a profound impact on many, and we are committed to ensuring appropriate support is available to those affected.

We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the rescue teams, coaches, and volunteers whose rapid response, professionalism, and dedication were critical in this situation. Their efforts and courage are deeply appreciated by our entire community.

Feb 22, 2026 – Jasper, Alberta: Two-hundred and two U12 athletes flew down Dromedary for two runs each of giant slalom and slalom at the Jasper U12 Provincial Race (Feb 21-22). The weather was a little colder for the athletes but it meant that the course held up really well which was a plus given the number taking part!  Snow Valley Racing, led by Program Director Chad Mansell, organized this year’s first provincial-level U12 race at Marmot Basin. Thanks go out them and to the racers for their hard work over two days of chilly mornings and long hours. “There’s always a little more learning behind the scenes at the races for the younger age groups, but it’s very rewarding for everyone,” said Mansell. Snow Valley Racing would also like to thank the 16 participating ski clubs, 65 volunteers, and the incredible team at Marmot Basin for once again supporting the future of alpine ski racing in Alberta and look forward to seeing all the racers together again at the Sunshine Village U12 Provincial Race April 11-12.

For full results, click here >>

A tradition for over 30 years, the Sunshine Ski Club was host to the annual south zone Nancy Greene Ski League Sunshine Invitational and Scurfield Cup this past weekend. 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.

164 athletes Saturday and 175 Sunday participated in a variety of events and the cooler temperatures late last week meant the famous all-natural Sunshine snowpack stayed firm through all the race runs.

“We had great conditions this weekend,” said Chief of Race, David Anderson, “and I feel we kind of dodged a bullet with the forecast, because the expected cold temps and snowfall didn’t really materialize which was perfect. That, on top of a lot of volunteer effort, resulted in the whole event going extremely well.”

One of the most popular events, the speed trap, had some athletes posting over 60 km per hour, and RCMP Corporal Anita Swanson was on hand to identify the local speedsters.

In the end, it was the Westside Alpine Ski Team from Winsport that defended their overall title and won the Scurfield Cup. Anderson and the Speedsters were quick to congratulate the champions but added, “we want that Cup back!” A fun challenge to look forward to next year!

Club Spotlight: The Sunshine Speedsters are a small but mighty part of the Sunshine Ski Club and offer programming from U6 through U12. Club philosophy on Nancy Greene ski racing is based on the principles of Alpine Canada’s Snow Stars program with the addition of Sunshine’s own special sauce. Young athletes develop comprehensive skiing and racing skills through technical and structured free skiing, gate training, individual challenges, and the occasional snowball fight.

The club firmly believes that skiing on Sunshine’s challenging and varied terrain is a real asset as the athletes learn the rules of the mountain with a strong emphasis on having fun. As the Speedsters gradually master their newfound abilities, there is an increased focus on smart decision-making skills.

There are few sports that can teach the cognitive autonomy that skiing and ski-racing can. The NGSL programs foster important life skills under the positive mentorship of club coaches. Find out more about the Speedsters here >>

Banff Alpine Racers played host to the FIS GMC Cup last weekend which saw multiple podium visits from the Albertan athletes and drew competitors from across Canada and beyond.

AST Program Director, Josh Benge, commented on how smoothly the events ran throughout the 4-day series which included two Giant Slalom and two Slalom races. “Even despite some very cold temperatures for the GS race days, everyone came to perform, from the athletes, the team coaches, the ROC and volunteer crew…everything went according to plan and the result of that was four days of incredible racing.” Benge also complimented everyone’s efforts to accommodate a next-level schedule change in order for everyone to watch the Olympic gold medal hockey game from Kika’s in the Mt. Norquay day lodge ahead of first run on Sunday. “While the outcome of that game wasn’t what everyone had hoped for, it was a lot of fun to celebrate that level of sport and patriotism…and then get back on the hill and absolutely go for it in the slalom.” 

Highlights included Caleb Brooks (AST) claiming top Men’s spot in one each of the GS and SL events, and another silver in the 2^nd GS, just 0.33 seconds behind fellow Albertan Jake Kertesz-Knight (CAST) after two combined run times. A couple of Brooks’ teammates, William Puloski and Katie Smith, also earned podium spots, claiming bronze medals on day two of the Men’s and Women’s slalom races respectively.  U of Calgary Dino’s team member Taras Detz went home with gold and bronze medals in the slalom races as well.

Big thanks, as always, to the Alberta FIS series sponsor, GMC Dealers of Alberta, and to Banff Mt. Norquay, consistently such a fantastic venue for alpine ski racing to shine.

For full results: FIS | Norquay (CAN) – Event Details – Alpine Skiing

The 2026 Alberta Winter Games brought energy, excitement, and outstanding sportsmanship to Kinosoo Ridge in Cold Lake, where eighty U14 alpine ski racers from across the province gathered for three days of competition and camaraderie.

Representing eight zones, these young athletes showcased their skill, determination, and team spirit in a dynamic race format designed to challenge both individual performance and zone pride.

Day One: Slalom Showdown

The Games opened with a pair of slalom races, testing technical precision and consistency. Athletes pushed hard through the gates, setting the tone for a weekend defined by competitive excellence.  Zone 2 athletes, Carmen Bullock and Alexander Howard, took home the gold medals for the womens’ and mens’ events.

Day Two: Head-to-Head Panel Slalom

Competition intensified on the second day as racers went head-to-head in a series of panel slalom duels. The fast-paced format brought spectators to their feet and created a thrilling environment where quick reactions and confident skiing made the difference.

Day Three: Team Championship

The final day featured a team event in the same panel slalom duel format, with each zone competing for the coveted team championship title. The atmosphere was electric as teammates cheered one another on in a powerful display of unity and zone pride.

This year’s team podium saw Zone 2 capture gold, followed by Zone 3 with silver and Zone 6 with bronze – a tremendous accomplishment for all three zones.

More Than Medals

While the racing was outstanding, the defining memory of the weekend was the camaraderie. Athletes from all eight zones supported one another, shared laughs between runs, and forged new friendships that will extend well beyond the Games.

A special thank you goes to the race organizing committee and volunteers, who delivered a seamless event – from course preparation to hospitality. Their efforts ensured athletes and spectators were well fed, well entertained, and part of a truly memorable Winter Games experience. 

Full results: albertagames.rampregistrations.com/results 

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