Highest Peak Gala – Thursday, November 7, 2024

Ski racing is built on the foundation of hard work. A daily effort on the snow. Behind every alpine ski race, within every program is the enormous contribution of many volunteers, officials and sport leaders, who work tirelessly to provide great programs, run ski races and ensure the administration and leadership of our sport gives our athletes every opportunity to succeed.

The purpose of the Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame is to recognize those individuals who have invested their time, their passion and their enthusiasm to build our sport, lift our clubs and give athletes the chance to aim for the highest levels.

For the 12^th year, Alberta Alpine and the Selection Committee are pleased that our annual gathering of alpine ski racing excellence at the Highest Peak Gala, will profile the people who have built our sport. will be our opportunity to honour our 2024 Inductees, celebrate our achievements of the past season and meet the athletes of the Alberta Ski Team. Thursday 7, 2024

Nominations for the Class of 2024 are now open. This is your chance to nominate an individual you feel is deserving of recognition by the Alpine Ski Racing Family in the Canadian Rockies.

The Hall of Fame selection panel welcomes nominees in up to five categories:

• Builder
• Volunteer
• Official
• Alberta Ski Team and/or Canadian Ski Team alumnus
• President’s Award, for special merit

Ski racing in the Canadian Rockies has grown over the past 100 years, led by the vision and determination of our many passionate leaders. These efforts have lifted in our athletes to proudly represent Canada, including Olympic, World Championship and World Cup medals. Hard working volunteers, officials and staff have become indispensable supporters of our own annual World Cup as well as leaders within organizing committees at World Championships and Olympic Winter Games. Technical leaders have been part of the digital revolution. Coaches and Team alumnus have firmly established a culture of success and a pipeline that consistently gives thousands of young athletes the fundamentals of a life-long sport, a deep appreciation for the outdoors and mountain environment, the thrill of ski racing and a passion to aim to represent our country.

“The Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame is a truly meaningful way to honour those who have worked so hard for our athletes,” said Alberta Alpine President, Pat Gillespie. “Every winter, thousands of young athletes get the chance to enjoy ski racing and to aim for the podium right across our province, thanks to the determined effort of our supporters. Through their hard work our athletes have developed into champions, life-long ski enthusiasts and good citizens. The leadership of our Honoured Inductees and so many more is a living example to all of us who aim to build a strong sport programs across the province and Canada.”

Nominations will be accepted until June 30, 2024 – To nominate a deserving individual, provide a brief summary of no more than one page outlining the accomplishments and duration of commitment as well as contact information for both nominee and nominator. Email information to: memberservices@albertaalpine.ca

Canada’s longest running Ski Gala – Join us Thursday, November 7^th at the Palliser Hotel in Calgary for the 57^th “Highest Peak Gala” as we honour our 2024 Inductees, celebrate the remarkable success of our sport in 2024 and meet the members of the 2024 AST as they prepare for a new season.

– 30  –

For more information:
Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame
Email: memberservices@albertaalpine.ca

Every year Alberta Alpine looks forward to recognizing our athletes for their hard work and commitment to excellence, on and off the track.

After an extensive deliberation process from a highly competitive pool of applicants, the Alberta Alpine scholarship committee has selected the following scholarship recipients for the 2023/24 season:

Rob Bosinger Ski Scholarship
Maya McHugh (CARC)
Graydyn Swanson (Sunshine)

Brent Marshall Memorial Scholarship
Cole Merrett (Pano)

David Murray Memorial Scholarship
Jesse Kertesz-Knight (BAR)

Franklin Donald Bean Award
Caleb Brooks (AST)

Cary Mullen Character Award
U12    Rose Opelik (BVQ)
U12    Nelson Grandoni (Westcastle)
U14    Henri Wall McComb (Snow Valley)
U14    William McGee (Snow Valley)
FIS      Jamie Heisz (Nakiska)
AST     Caleb Brooks (AST)

Certificates:

Certificates: 
Jonathan Hornseth (U10, Cold Lake) 
Declan Bellavance (U12, Snow Valley) 
Annabelle Iverson (U14, Cold Lake) 
Addelyn Nowell (U14,  
Maddie Wickins (U14, International Racers) 
Graydyn Swanson (U16, Sunshine) 
Dalton Blower (FIS, Nakiska)

Ski Canada Magazine Award
Alex Madra (U14) AB Masters
Filip Guja (U14) Paskapoo/KASC

Please join Alberta Alpine for a special evening at the Smithbilt Store.

Limited event tickets available.

Date: Wednesday June 26th, 2024. 6pm – 9pm.
Location: 1015 11th St SE, Calgary, AB. T2G 3E9
Entry-only for $50: https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=35863
Legends club $1,000 ($700 donation receipt) contact member services for more info. Custom Smithbilt AASA logo Branded Cowboy Hat (includes entry)

Support Alberta Alpine in the 2024-2025 Season!

Thank you for attending and supporting the 2024 Quest for Gold Golf Tournament. It was an incredible event, and everyone’s support means so much!

Thank you to our sponsors:

Hole in One Sponsor: Wolfe Canmore GMC Buick and GMC Dealers of Alberta
Exclusive Breakfast Sponsor: Nearctic Property Group
Exclusive Lunch Sponsor: Kobold Services Inc.
Exclusive 19th Hole Beverage Sponsor: Raymond James Mission Wealth Advisors
Birdie Sponsor: Mount Norquay
Albatross Sponsor: Panorama Advisory Group with Rob Gray at Scotia Wealth Management

Thank You Perry Thompson Photography for tournament photography

And a big thank you to everyone who supported and made a donation:

APEX MASSAGE THERAPY
CRAVE CUPCAKES
TRANSROCKIES RACE ENTRIES
SNOWY OWL SLED DOG TOURS
WHITE WOLF RAFTING
NORQUAY
BIKE BANFF
BADGER RIDGE
POTS AND PEAKS: MARTINE DESAUTELS
GAUCHO BRAZILIAN BARBECUE
MURRIETA’S RESTAURANT
MAX GARTNER
STEELING HOME
BRIDGETTE BAR
HEAD SPORTS
BEAR STREET OUTFITTERS
LAUNCHPAD GOLF
APRES SKIED
KINGSTON MARKETING
MONOD SPORTS
CALEB BROOKS
SMITH FAMILY
SHEPHERD FAMILY
MIKAYLA WUNSCH
Alberta Ski Team and Alberta Development Group Athletes, Parents, Families, and Supporters

NOMINATION PERIOD OPENED !

Nomination period is from May 8^th to May 31^st, 11:59PM PST.

Application form link : https://forms.office.com/r/HTSaDrxZXq

The awards:

Alpine Canada is committed to promoting excellence within its sport and across all involved stakeholders. Through these annual awards, Alpine Canada wishes to celebrate and recognize individuals and organizations that transcend the spirit of excellence, performance, and community we wish to foster within our sport.

Structure and governance:

To create credibility, transparency, equity, fairness, and engagement for the awards, results and outcomes, the ACA Awards of excellence is a property owned by Alpine Canada but governed by a committee of non-Alpine Canada employees. An Alpine Canada employee will sit on the committee meetings and will provide administrative support to help execute various tasks.

Purpose of the committee: 

The purpose of the Alpine Canada Awards Committee is to select award finalists in the following categories: See attached guide for criteria and descriptions. The ones in yellow are the awards open for public nominations.

• Alpine Athlete of the Year – Female (Committee Nomination)
• Alpine Athlete of the Year – Male (Committee Nomination)
• Ski Cross Athlete of the Year – Female (Committee Nomination)
• Ski Cross Athlete of the Year – Male (Committee Nomination)
• Para-Alpine Athlete of the Year – Female (Committee Nomination)
• Para-Alpine Athlete of the Year – Male (Committee Nomination)
• Coach of the Year – National Teams – Male (ACA Nomination)
• Coach of the Year – National Teams – Female (ACA Nomination)
• Coach of the Year – Provincial Teams – Female (PTSOs Nomination)
• Coach of the Year – Provincial Teams – Male (PTSOs Nomination)
• Coach of the Year – Domestic Programs – Female (Public Nomination)
• Coach of the Year – Domestic Programs – Male (Public Nomination)
• Volunteers of the Year (Public Nomination)
• Nancy Greene Builder Award (Public Nomination)
• Minogue Award of Excellence (Open to National team athletes only)
• Sam Ousher Switzer Charitable Foundation – Post Secondary Education Tuition Assistance Scholarship (Open to National team athletes only)

Registration and sponsor opportunities are now open for the 2024 Quest for Gold Golf Tournament. Monday May 27, 2024 at Silvertip Golf Resort in Canmore.

WHERE: Silvertip Golf Resort in Canmore, AB

WHEN: Monday May 27, 2024

TIME: Registration Opens 8:00 am with the Putting Challenge from 8:00am to 10:00am

Shot-gun start at 10:00 am

REGISTRATION INCLUDES: Tee Gift, Light Breakfast, 1 beverage, Lunch and 19th Hole Apres Reception & Prizes 

Register: https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=34772&lan=1&cartlevel=1

“Athletes U14-U19 battle in the Coal Miner course for the River Cross Cup and the FIS crew for the Golden Pick Axe at the 6th annual Sunridge Ski Cross Challenge Feb. 2-4.”…

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Recently three BAR E-Team athletes attended the FIS Alpine World Junior Ski Championships, Haute-Savoie, France.

Kendra Giesbrecht and Jesse Kertesz-Knight represented Canada alongside Alberta Ski Team member Gered Thompson, dual gold medalist Britt Richardson and Kyle McGown representing Australia…

Full article available – www.banffalpineracers.com

Photo Credit: Perry Thompson, Jesse, Kendra, Luke Patterson

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“The Linda Putnam Invitational is a highlight in every Team Panorama skiers racing career; just ask current @albertaskiteam member @zoe.gray_ and Olympian @_cassidy_gray…”

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Alberta Alpine scholarships are now posted for 2024. The deadline for submissions are;

• March 20, 2024 (10pm)
  • 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 10, 2024 
  • Read Family Scholarship (AST)
  It is highly recommended to submit applications early, and it is acceptable and expected that athletes will apply for any and all scholarships for which they are eligible.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.

Cookie Cup – what race dreams are made of!

Dinosaurs, unicorns, monkeys and lumberjacks are just a few characters that you will find at Bow Valley Quikies (BVQ) Cookie Cups. The Cookie Cups were originally founded over 15 years ago by past Executive Director Kari Gordon.  The races are hosted at least three times a season to introduce young athletes and new parents into ski racing with a fun exciting environment.

Many athletes’ fondest memories as a BVQ athlete were Cookie Cups – racing, friends, costumes and delicious cookies.  Not only do athletes have a blast, but parents are introduced to race operations and volunteer opportunities. The most sought out volunteer position is baking and decorating cookies, with new creations each event. 

Over the years we have see Slalom, Giant Slalom, Obstacle courses and 4-lane Head to Head race formats.  All time favourite, Club Cookie Cups when FIS crew lead a team of young athletes from every program, and podium presenters CAST members Erik Read and Trevor Philp attended during an Olympic year.  Every athlete that has been a member of BVQ over the past 15 years has raced in a Cookie Cup, once they graduate to Banff Alpine Racers (BAR) they wish they were still racing Cookie Cups! 

Finishing race days, each athlete is presented with a cookie, and the best part is eating the medals!  Sometimes the Cookie Monster comes to visit, and gets the athletes ramped up to race.  To wrap up the BVQ season, a 4-lane race course invites parents, siblings, team mates and coaches to race head to head.  Watch out parents, you won’t be winning for much longer!

We love to race for cookies, nom nom nom

Photo Credit: @johnevelyphoto @jamesrtrites @markdzikowski

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The Mount Allen Ski Team (MAST) is made up of our Flex, U10+ and U12 athletes…

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