AST Athlete Journal: Amy Attalla

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!