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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.

Wow did that year go by fast! It feels like just yesterday we were off and on our way to Mt. Sima for the season opener. Now we’re finishing up our end of season Sunshine camp. As the 2025-26 ski season comes to a close, it’s a great time to reflect on all the fantastic memories, great new friends and tough lessons that this year brought.

As I look back on my pre-season goals I am unfortunately underwhelmed and disappointed in the result-based achievements of this season. I still believe that I was able to improve significantly throughout the season fundamentally, I just believe I left lots to be desired on race day. It will be one of my significant goals next season to remain consistent from training to race day while striving for two great runs each race. Nearing the end of the season I found myself skiing one good run per day, but unable to score because I was missing out on that challenging second run.

Now that the snow has melted and the race season has ended, it’s easy to get caught up in the spring gardening, backyard bonfires and socializing with friends, but as coach Phil would say “next season just started.” Even though alpine skiing is a seasonal sport, results are a direct reflection of the time and dedication that exists off snow, during May, June and July. The Alberta Ski Team is lucky enough to have access to a great gym at the Calgary Sport Institute and professional trainers that create sport-focused training programs for the off season. Dryland training is one of the most important aspects that goes into on-snow success. Now that I am finally graduating high school, I am excited to have more time to devote to developing my physical strength before the 2026-27 season. Some of my main focuses for the off-season are mainly building strength and power, gaining weight, and learning new mental skills for the future.

In addition to consistent gym and dryland training I am placing an importance in my nutrition. I have a goal to gain 15-20 pounds throughout the spring and summer which will require immense dedication as I have always struggled to gain weight. That means being much more intentional with my eating habits, forcing myself to intake an excess of good calories. As an incentive coach Phil and I have made a bet to see who will weigh more going into next season. With one-hundred dollars on the line, I will be eating as much as possible.

The off-season also gives me a great opportunity to develop the mental side of racing. This season showed me that skiing fast in training does not always translate to race-day results. There were moments where I struggled with pressure, overthinking, or mental blocks that affected my ability to put down two solid runs when it mattered most. Because of that, I’m looking into working with a mental trainer this off-season to develop stronger confidence, focus, and consistency under pressure. Ski racing is just as much mental as it is physical, and learning how to manage nerves and stay composed could be a major step forward for me next season.

I am super excited to have finally graduated going into the 2026-27 season as it will open up even more hours to dedicate to the challenging sport of ski racing. What excites me most about the off-season is the opportunity it creates. Every workout, every field session, every big meal, adds up over time. Success during the winter is built long before the first snowfall arrives. While it can sometimes be difficult to stay motivated during the summer months, keeping a focused mindset now will make all the difference once we are back in gates next season. This season would not have been possible without the amazing support from the GMC Dealers of Alberta, Mountain Fire Foods, Genstar, Karbon Sports, Inspired Go, and Gear Up Mountain Sports. Thanks again for everything!

Hey everyone, it’s Cole Merrett checking in for my final athlete journal of the season!

It’s crazy to think I’ve officially completed my first year on the Alberta Ski Team. This season was full of amazing experiences, new opportunities, and unforgettable memories that helped me grow both as an athlete and as a person. From traveling and competing to meeting incredible people along the way, I’m so grateful for everything this year brought. I wanted to take a moment to reflect and share some of my favorite memories and biggest learnings from an unforgettable season.

We started off our season in August this year in Saas Fee, Switzerland, where we had a three-week camp on the glacier, doing slow-speed technical drills to dial in the basics. This camp is a crucial stepping stone to get back into the sport after a couple of months off the snow. Following our stint on the glacier, we headed to Winterberg, Germany, where we spent 4 days indoors on a watered slope. This had to have been one of the coolest experiences, as you would have a two-hour session where we did 20 laps, having super high volume in a short time period. After this 4-week camp, I returned home and went to my first, last day of high school.

After grinding out school and getting back into the gym for three weeks, we departed for our second training block in Hintertux, Austria. Hintertux differed from Saas Fee, as it was a full winter destination with hard glacial ice. It provided a difficult challenge that beat your body up. Though it was very hard, it also drastically improved our skiing. Training on ice, which you needed your hockey skates for, made us very technically sound skiers. If you weren’t in the right body position, you wouldn’t stand a chance of turning the skis and making it down the hill.

As we returned from our second camp, we came back in time for Nakiska’s opening and got right into training on home soil. This had been the most skiing I had ever done before the race season, with almost 60 days on snow before the first race. I had made some big improvements in my skiing and was eager to get back into the starting gate. We flew up to Whitehorse, Yukon, where we had our first races of the 25/26 season. I was really stoked to score two personal bests, which showed the work I had put in really was paying off. From there, we flew back and competed in two GMC Cup regional FIS series, which concluded a three-week stint of racing before Christmas.

Following Christmas break, we started our two-month stint of racing, where we traveled to Quebec twice, throughout Alberta and BC, and down to the States for some NORAM races. As everyone does, I had some highs where I found success with good skiing but also had lows with frustration and bad performances. This season, I learned a lot about myself, the importance of headspace, and how much of an impact it has on my performances. One of the most crucial things I learned was the significance of positivity.

Throughout February, I had a three-week stint of bad races where I wasn’t putting down the results I wanted. Through this, I found the biggest thing I could do was to go into each new day with a positive attitude and expect a good outcome. I wouldn’t let any negative thoughts come into my brain and would only think about the task at hand. The biggest learning, though, was letting go of bad days. I made a rule for myself that if I had a bad day on the slopes, I could think about it for an hour or so following the race so I could reflect on what happened, but once I left the hill to go back to our accommodation, I wouldn’t allow myself to think of the negative. Instead, I’d remind myself of how good a skier I am and that I’m going to show everyone that the next day. A quote that really stuck with me this year was “Be committed to the process without being emotionally attached to the results.” To me, this means to trust the work you’ve put in and execute on the process, rather than focusing on the outcome. Things don’t always go as planned, but by being committed to the work I’ve put in, there’s always something to be proud of.

We were very lucky to have wrapped up the last bit of racing in the year close to home at Panorama, Nakiska, and Sun Peaks. Although it was definitely hard racing, I was happy to put down some good runs and conclude the year on a high note. Reflecting back on this year, I was really proud of myself for the hard work I put in the gym and on the hill to reach the goals I did. Although I fell short on a couple of my outcome goals, I felt my skiing was at the level; I just didn’t capitalize on the days that I needed to. Overall though, I had one of the most fun seasons of my life, and I got to spend it with all of the best people! As always, I want to thank the GMC Dealers of Alberta, Mountain Fire Foods, Genstar, Karbon Sports, Inspired Go, and Gear Up Mountain Sports. Your support helps make everything possible.

Thank you!
– Cole Merrett

Hey everyone,

My name is Thomas and I am checking in for my final athlete journal of the season. It’s been a busy stretch lately with a lot of time on snow, lots of travelling, and it has honestly made the season absolutely fly by. It feels like just yesterday we were getting into the first blocks of training, and now we’re already wrapping things up.

Things definitely haven’t slowed down either. Since getting back from the Nor-Am Finals in Aspen, we went straight into the National Championships in Panorama, followed by the Nakiska spring series. It’s been a bit of a challenge jumping from venue to venue, living out of bags, and constantly switching gears between training and racing. At the same time, it’s been a fun stretch and a great way to finish off the season with a lot of intensity and purpose.

The conditions throughout all of this have definitely kept things interesting. We’ve seen everything from soft, slushy spring snow to pretty firm, icy surfaces, often even within the same day. It’s made every run feel a little different and forced me to stay adaptable. I think that’s been one of the biggest takeaways lately, learning how to adjust quickly and not rely on perfect conditions to ski well. Being able to push when things feel good, but also stay composed and focused when they don’t, is something I’ve been trying to improve on.

One thing that’s really stood out to me recently is how important it is to stay disciplined with the basics. Whether it’s soft snow or ice, both conditions present their own challenges, and small mistakes or lapses in technique and line can be pretty costly. There’s really no room to get away with anything. If I get lazy at the top of the turn, fall inside, or lose my position even slightly, it shows right away in my speed and line. It can be frustrating at the moment, especially during races, but at the same time it’s a really good reminder to stay focused on the fundamentals and trust the process.

We’ve also been doing a lot of volume lately, and I can definitely feel it physically by the end of the day. Long days on the hill, combined with travel, start to add up. Recovery has become a bigger priority, making sure I’m staying on top of hydration, stretching, and just taking care of my body so I can come back ready to go the next day. It’s something I’m still learning, but I’ve noticed how much of a difference it makes.

Overall, I feel like I’m continuing to build a better understanding of my skiing. Even though not every run feels great and results don’t always reflect the work right away, I know I’m making progress in the bigger picture. I’m starting to connect more pieces together, both technically and mentally, and that’s something I’m looking to carry forward.

As the season comes to an end, I think it’s also a good time to reflect on everything that’s gone into it, the early mornings, the tough training days, the travel, and all the small improvements along the way. It’s been a long season, but a really valuable one, and I’m grateful for all the experiences and lessons that came with it. As always, this couldn’t be possible without the gracious help from our sponsors, so a massive thank you to GMC Dealers of Alberta, Mountain Fire Foods, Genstar, Karbon Sports, Inspired Go, and Gear Up Mountain Sports.

Thanks for reading,
Thomas Cais

Hey everyone, it’s Graeme. Checking in for my final athlete journal of the season.

It’s been an unreal season to say the least, with some of the coolest and most unforgettable experiences. Coming onto the team this year, I didn’t really know what to expect and didn’t have too many expectations heading into the NORAM circuit. I ended up having some success in the speed events (Super-G and Downhill), with a few top 20 results and finishing 21st in the downhill overall standings. It has been an amazing but also a really eye-opening experience to race against some of the best skiers not just in North America, but in the world. The level of racing is super high, and it really shows you just how many levels there are to our sport. Writing this from Canadian Nationals in Panorama, it’s been tough to carry momentum from NORAMs into these races. I’ve had a couple DNFs and we’ve had to deal with some tricky conditions, especially in the tech races later in the week. This series has been a really good reminder of how many different aspects there are to the sport, not just the racing itself. The mental side, the physical side, recovery and staying focused, it’s all part of the long journey we’re on.

As the season starts to wind down, it becomes even more important to stay focused and disciplined with everything from adequate rest to making sure our ski equipment is in perfect shape. The warmer weather and softer snow can often make conditions less favorable, which makes it even more important to be just as in it as you were at the start of the season. It’s easy to feel the fatigue at this point in the year, especially after the full race schedule of the NORAM circuit across the country to FIS races on home snow. Mentally, it’s been easy to get frustrated with results, certain races not going the way you would have wanted them to. Throughout the season I’ve had times where I was super frustrated with a result, but even when those results hadn’t gone the way I wanted, I’ve been trying to move on quickly and stay focused on what’s ahead. That mindset has helped me push through the tougher parts of the season and make the most of the opportunities in front of me.

Looking ahead to the final races at Nakiska and Sun Peaks, the goal is to finish the season strong and take advantage of every race start I have left. These races are still a great opportunity to put everything together and put down some great results. Staying focused and keeping my body in the shape it needs to be will be the key to success in these final races of the season. This first year on the Alberta Ski Team has been an unforgettable experience, from our first preseason camps in Saas-Fee, Switzerland and Hintertux, Austria to the NORAMs out east in Whiteface, NY and Mont Tremblant, Quebec. This season has brought me to places I never knew were possible, and I’m really grateful to everyone who has been a part of supporting our team this season. You guys make all the difference. I’m motivated as ever to push myself to the limit and finish the season strong.

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.

Thank you!

Hey everyone, Gavin Johnson here with my final journal of the season.

We’ve all just returned from Aspen, where we were competing in the NorAm Finals. I was there for both the speed and tech events, facing conditions unlike any race I have ever experienced. It was 20-plus degrees every day, creating an environment that made it hard to recognize that we were there to ski down a mountain. However, the conditions managed to hold up surprisingly well during the speed portion of our series, providing us with an opportunity to challenge the top 30. Unfortunately, I was unable to seize the moment, and the top 30s eluded me. Entering the tech half of the Norams, I was hungry for redemption following my poor performance in speed. But the 20-plus degree days had caught up with the mountain. I distinctly remember being at the top of the course and overhearing the U.S team radio say. “God praise anyone who manages to make it down.” Starting near the back of the pack, I am used to difficult positions, but the last few days made every other “bad course” experience seem like a walk in the park. I battled through the ruts as hard as I could, but each day the mountain beat me. However, I am grateful to have experienced these conditions, grateful for my growth in both mental and physical toughness. I will forget a lot of races during my time as a ski racer, Aspen 2026 will not be one of them.

I want to circle back to my comment on mental toughness. In reality, it was not just Aspen that strengthened these characteristics, but my entire NorAm experience. This was my first time following the Noram circuit. Entering the season my expectations for Noram starts were low but nonetheless after each race I couldn’t help but feel discouraged. It felt and still feels like those top 30 finishes, especially in tech, are still far from my reach. This year, I was unable to get a single top 30 finish, and in many ways, this feels like a failure. However, as I have had time to reflect after finals, I have decided to embody a new perspective. I have only failed if I allow myself to view the Noram season as a failure. Sure, I did not score any points, sure I was beat down by DNFs and missed second runs. But these numerical stats don’t define my Noram experience. I have gained a deeper understanding of what it takes to perform at these races. I have increased my toughness through every race. I am hungry to fight through the Noram circuit next year with a greater sense of experience and continue my climb to the top 30.

I am writing this entry in my house in Invermere as we are resting before Canadian National Champs and the last push through the final FIS races of the season. Nationals is at my home club of Panorama, which is a refreshing break from the traveling and a home-field advantage I am dying to take advantage of. Entering this final push, I am looking to perform my best at these races. Taking everything I have learned from this season and trying to piece it all together to continue to knock down my fis points. It has been an amazing season and an honor to be a part of the Alberta Ski team. I am grateful for every experience and look forward to what the future holds.

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.

​Thank you!
Gavin

Hello everyone, it’s Katie checking in for my second athlete journal of the season.

It has been an interesting season so far. Right before Christmas I was in one of the best places I’ve ever been in my skiing. I had just come off a strong preseason and was finally figuring out my skiing and for the first time in a while, I felt like everything was coming together. I was confident, excited, and just loving skiing.

But then things changed. I crashed racing GS in the Panorama Christmas series on December 20. When I hit my head, I didn’t think much of it at first. I didn’t really understand what a concussion was, and I thought I was fine. It wasn’t until I tried to race the next day that I realized something was wrong. I felt unsafe in my own body, which is a really hard feeling to describe. My timing was off, I didn’t feel in control, and something just wasn’t right. That was the moment it really hit me that I couldn’t just push through. Looking back, feeling nauseous and dizzy aren’t normal.

Following my crash and right before Christmas I went to the Benson Concussion Clinic for diagnosis and treatment. The first 2 weeks went by fast. I felt better every day and was able to do more each day but it was also Christmas break and I was relaxing with my family. It turned out that the recovery process was a lot harder than I expected. At first, I thought it would be quick, but progress wasn’t linear. Some days I felt better, and then symptoms would come back. The hardest part was feeling so close to being okay, but not actually being there. It was frustrating to feel like I was improving, but still not able to train or race the way I wanted to. I was still getting symptoms with activity but it seemed like they were slowly getting better.

Another really difficult part was watching my team compete while I couldn’t. I had never felt that left out before. I wanted so badly to be out there with them, especially knowing the shape I had been in before the injury. It made me realize how much I love competing and being part of the team environment. I now understand how the parents feel about watching live timing from afar!

It wasn’t until the third week that I realized concussions are a lot more serious than I thought. My symptoms weren’t really improving anymore and when I would do harder activities I would feel really sick. When my progress stalled Dr. Benson sent me to a neuro optometrist for assessment. This is when I learned that my eyes weren’t working together and not tracking properly. I began vision therapy and quickly experienced improvement. It was amazing! It was exciting to have something to work on that made such an immediate difference. I was cleared on January 26 and I started training immediately and was excited to join the team after 6 weeks off.

Looking back, this experience taught me a lot. I learned how important it is to listen to my body, even when it’s hard to slow down. As athletes, we’re so used to pushing through things, but this was something I couldn’t ignore. It also taught me patience, which is something I’ve always struggled with. Recovery doesn’t happen on your timeline, and I had to accept that. Concussions are scary and I am glad that I took the proper time to fully recover and I’m grateful for the support from my team, coaches and the team at Benson Concussion clinic.

This experience has changed me as an athlete. I have a greater appreciation for my health and for the ability to train and compete. It also made me stronger mentally, because I had to stay motivated and positive even when I wasn’t able to do what I love most. Even though it was a setback, I think it will help me in the long run. It reminded me why I love skiing so much, and I’ve come back more aware, resilient, and motivated.

The team’s most recent race was at my home hill for the Lake Louise slalom Extravaganza! It was awesome to be back at my home hill and our team of volunteers did an amazing job pulling off 2 races a day per gender. It was heartwarming to see the Lake Louise family come together to produce an amazing event while grieving the tragic loss of Emilio. My condolences go out to Emilio’s family and friends and he will forever inspire me to go faster higher further

I hope you all enjoy the rest of what this season has to offer and I look forward to seeing you on the slopes. I am grateful to our strong and inspiring Alberta Alpine community of parents, athletes, coaches and volunteers. I am also grateful for our generous sponsors. None of this would be possible without the support from the following sponsors; the GMC Dealers of Alberta, Mountain Fire Foods, Genstar, Inspired Go, Karbon, and Gear Up Mountain Sports. Thank you!

-Katie

My name is Aidan, and I haven’t written an athlete journal in a while. I wanted to take a different approach to this entry. I want to look at the elements of ski racing. Skiing has to be one of the most unique sports ever; I’ll gladly argue that. I genuinely don’t think any other sport compares, and I hope I can convince you of that.

An element of ski racing that always boggles my mind is how insanely identical we ski. While our runs and techniques might look completely different, most of the time we are fighting for tenths or hundredths of a second. Sometimes I get too caught in the rut of thinking I am miles off the winner when I am a second out. I often take a step back and actually look at the difference between our times. My favourite thing to do is to use the stopwatch on my phone and try to start and stop the time as quickly as I can. It’s genuinely the blink of an eye, and I can almost never get it under 0.1 seconds. However, in racing, that can be the difference between first and fourth. That if you did 4 turns on a 35-turn course a couple of hundredths quicker, you would win. An example from this year was the GS NORAM at Tremblant. The person in 45th was two seconds out from the leader of that run, the racer in 75th was three. That means 30 people skied within that second of each other. That’s a person every 0.03 seconds. If you were to visualize the finish line while everyone crossed, it would be a blur, but that fraction of time is what represents who gets a second run or not. You have barely two whole minutes in a race to showcase all the hard work and dedication you put into improving over the past year, your past lifetime of skiing. I genuinely don’t know any other sport that has so many similar, basically identical, performances from so many different people. This is a sport of increasingly smaller margins, essentially chasing perfection.

Another piece of ski racing that is unlike most is the weather and conditions. We are at the complete mercy of Mother Nature. The conditions can not only change overnight, but also during the actual race. As skiers, we need a hard surface for balance and safety, we need good visibility because we are going 60-120km/hr, and we need temperatures to be survivable. I have seen races cancelled because of -50 wind chill, snowstorms blinding us, wind gusts that force chairlifts to stop, snow so soft you can jab your pole a foot deep, or so much powder that normal skiers would ask why we complain. These variables are not something most athletes deal with, and because of that, we are adapted to adapting. I was always told growing up in skiing that you have to “control the controllables”, otherwise you are wasting energy. This applies directly to the Kimberley Super-G series we just finished. We went there expecting three Super-G races, but only got off one. It was already dangerously soft snow for a speed discipline, so we are lucky we got one race, but when it poured rain that night, the next day was cancelled before we even loaded the lift. The uniqueness of this sport is highlighted by the sheer number of variables we deal with.

Ski racing also being an individual sport, means you face obstacles often isolated. When it comes down to race day, it is up to no one but you on how your race will go. The nice thing about team sports is that you can have a bad performance, and your team will still win. That rarely happens in racing. Every mistake you make directly and independently affects you. A split second of being unbalanced can lead to you falling over and washing away your whole race. You sit there after your race with no one to blame but yourself. We compete on a razor thin margin where fractional errors can completely destroy races, standings, or even careers.

That’s why I am so thankful to be a part of a team. Having people to cheer on and also pull you out of the mental spirals is crucial in an individual sport as special and unique as skiing.

If you still aren’t sold on how crazy and incomparable ski racing is to other sports, look at what we are actually doing. My favourite disciplines are Downhill and Super-G, which definitely help paint ski racing as a crazy man’s sport. When you are racing, you are traveling at speeds that are illegal to drive on most roads in Canada (that’s also in a car going normally in a straight line on a level road). On most turns, you have to withstand a G-force of 3-4g’s with some downhill turns exceeding 6-7g’s. That’s higher than what most astronauts feel when launching to space. You also have minimal protection; there is no crumple zone. They set up the netting to slow you down and catch you, which is still crazy dangerous when you are hitting the net/ground at +100km/hr. Skiing also has one of the highest rates of season ending injuries out of all the sports. At the World Cup level, ~30 racers out of every 100 will sustain major injuries, 70% being knee related requiring surgery.

So all in, you are hurtling yourself down a mountain at the speeds you would normally be ticketed for, experiencing more forces than astronauts with a high risk assumption. You fight for fractions of a second, sometimes so quickly you physically can’t see the difference. You continuously deal with so many uncontrollable variables from weather to temperature to surface deterioration. All with the pressure that it is entirely up to you are your performance, that your only lifeline is your own reaction time. I’d say there are not many sports that can compare to that.

I am so thankful I get to compete and experience this sport. It has taught me so much and genuinely shaped who I am today. It would not even be remotely possible to do with the support of my family, coaches, and our sponsors GMC Dealers of Alberta, Mountain Fire Foods, Genstar, Inspired Go, Karbon, and Gear Up Mountain Sports.

Dear Alberta Alpine Community,

Over the past several days, our entire alpine community has been carrying a profound sense of loss. We have felt shock, grief, disbelief, and deep sorrow. At the same time, we have witnessed the strength, compassion, and unity that define our sport in Alberta. In moments like this, we are reminded that alpine skiing is more than competition; it is a community, and it is a family.

On behalf of Alberta Alpine, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Emilio’s family, his teammates, his coaches, and the entire Lake Louise Ski Club. Emilio was not only a valued member of his club, but a respected and admired athlete within the broader provincial ski racing community.

At just 15 years old, Emilio had already distinguished himself through his remarkable talent, work ethic, and passion for skiing. He competed at the top of his age category, earning multiple victories and consistently ranking among the very best. More importantly, he exemplified the dedication and love for the sport that we strive to foster in every athlete.

Emilio lived the spirit of alpine skiing. He gave his full effort in every training session and every race. He embraced challenge, pushed his limits, and brought energy to those around him. Whether in the gates or exploring the mountain freeskiing, he skied with courage, enthusiasm, and joy. His passion was contagious, and his presence elevated his teammates and competitors alike.

Emilio embodied our mission to foster resilient, passionate young people who carry a lifelong love for the mountains. Skiing was not simply an activity for him, it was a deep and genuine part of who he was.

We grieve alongside the entire ski community. We encourage everyone to check in on one another — especially our athletes and coaches , and to lean into the support systems around you during this difficult time.

For now, we hold close the image of Emilio doing what he loved most, carving powerful turns, charging hard, embracing the mountain, and always eager for one more run.

Emilio will forever remain part of Alberta’s alpine community. His spirit will live on in the mountains we share and in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him.

With deepest sympathy and unwavering support,

Josh Benge 
Athletic Director 

Year 4 | Alberta Ski Team

Before I get into my athlete journal. I would like to say to Emilio, rest in peace. My deepest condolences to the family and friends. You will be deeply missed. LLEH🕊️❤️

This season has been one of the busiest yet. Between the constant racing schedule and travelling back and forth to the East Coast, it has felt like a nonstop grind — but a rewarding one.

Coming into this year, the biggest focus was returning strong from injury. After everything it took to get back to full health, being able to step into the start gate again and compete at a high level has made this season feel like a success already. On top of that, putting down strong results on the NORAM circuit and finding success in FIS races has been a huge confidence boost. It’s a reminder that the work behind the scenes is paying off.

One of the standout experiences this season was spending a week racing in Lake Placid with Phil. Phil and I headed down to WhiteFace New York to do some university races and get some reps in on the hill before the NORAMS. When we showed up, the temperature cooled down to a -30 and didn’t really change – by far the coldest ski races I’ve done. Apart from freezing ourselves, there was a lot of learning during this race series including trying a new approach to my race days and a different mindset in the start gate. On paper this series was not my best but what I took away from these race series goes beyond the results.

Now, as we shift into a small training block, the focus turns toward sharpening the details and building momentum heading into the NORAM Finals in Aspen.

It’s been a season of progress and perspective, proving to myself that I can come back stronger. The goal now is simple: keep building, stay consistent, and be ready to perform when it counts.

None of this would be possible without the help of our spectacular Alberta Alpine sponsors: GMC Dealers of Alberta, Genstar, InspiredGo, Mountain Fire Foods, Silvertip Resort, Karbon, and GearUp Mountain Sports. I would also like to thank my personal sponsors, Lake Louise Ski Resort, Mountain fire Foods, GearUp Mountain Sports and Rossignol.

Hi, I’m Amy Attalla. I’m from Fernie, BC, where I started ski racing before spending three years with Team Panorama. This year is my first season on the Alberta team.

The start of the year has been full of new experiences, preseason in Europe, racing out East, and moving quickly from one event to the next. Each experience and challenge has taught me something, not just about skiing, but about patience, preparation, and learning from the people and environment around you. Lessons that stick with you long after you click out of your skis.

Hard days teach the most.
In Hintertux, our first run on that icy, steep glacier was eye opening. On ice, there’s no room or time to get away with things you can on softer snow, like stepping off your outside ski too early or falling inside. Instead of being frustrating, it was a great reminder of how much we can still learn. The conditions pushed me to trust my skis, stay present, and notice what I could improve. It showed me that the toughest days often teach the clearest lessons, and approaching challenges with patience and curiosity can make all the difference.

Confidence comes from preparation.
One of my main goals this season has been to charge my skiing with more confidence. Coaches often say, “Be confident, charge it,” but sometimes it’s hard to actually dial into that other gear. For me, confidence comes from trusting the work behind the scenes, training, nutrition, and ski prep.

Training with Nate Morris at CSI has been a highlight. Being in a gym surrounded by other high-performance athletes is motivating, and it pushes me to get stronger and sharper. Working with our team nutritionist, Lauren, has also been helpful. Traveling and cooking our meals has taught me how to fuel properly for recovery and performance, even on the road. All of that preparation doesn’t always show on a results sheet, but it gives me a solid foundation to trust myself when it matters.

Learning from others pushes you forward
Racing the NorAm circuit this season has been an incredible learning experience. Watching the top NorAm racers, many of whom also compete on the World Cup, has taught me that there’s always someone who knows more at this level, and it’s interesting to figure out what they might be doing that you aren’t. The teaching often comes in code, and you have to put your ego aside and stay open-minded and take in the lessons. 

Another thing I’ve learned from others this season is the importance of staying a little unserious. Our team works hard and can lock in when it matters, but they know how to keep things light off the hill. Being a team that’s mostly boys, eight guys and two girls, gives our dynamic a unique energy, and it’s taught me how important humor and playfulness are for morale. After a hard race or training day, it’s really awesome to go back to the team house and still laugh, have fun, and shake it off. Being able to reset like that makes it so much easier to focus on the positives and not get stuck on a tough day.

I’m excited to see where the rest of the season takes me. Skiing is an incredible classroom, not just for racing, but for learning yourself and the people around you. I’m grateful to the organizations supporting me this season: GMC Dealers of Alberta, Genstar, InspiredGo, Mountain Fire Foods, Silvertip Resort, Karbon, and GearUp Mountain Sports. Your support makes this journey possible. And a huge thank you to my family, Mom, Dad, my sisters, and my grandparents, who even watch live timing from church on Sundays. Thank you for always rooting for me!