AST Athlete Journal: Caleb Brooks

It’s crazy to think this is already my fourth year on the team. Each season has taught me something new — not just about racing, but about how to handle the ups and downs that come with training at a high level. Right now I’m solo in Sweden for our preseason camp joining BAR and Dinos and it’s been one of those stretches that really reminds me why I love this sport.

We’ve been here for a little over a week, and it’s been cloudy for eight days straight. No sun, no blue sky — just a wall of gray. At first, that can feel a little draining, but it’s actually kind of peaceful. The quiet, consistent weather helps you stay focused, and there’s something cool about showing up every day and putting in the work and the effort in conditions many people wouldn’t even think about trying to ski.

Training has been going really well. We’ve done a mix of long skis, strength sessions, and intensity workouts, and everything feels like its coming together. My skiing feels smooth and strong. After my injury last year I now feel stronger then ever before, balanced and confident. It’s a very rewarding feeling knowing that all that work shows.

This is my first time here in Sweden. It’s very easy to get in a routine: ski, eat, tune, rest, repeat. Off the snow, there’s been a lot of good energy lots of Wii sports and team saunas. The last two days we finally had some good weather and was able to see the beautiful sun. We were blessed with the best snow conditions I’ve ever skied. Smooth, ice and blue skies. The nothern lights were dancing over us during our late and early ski sessions.

As we wrap up camp, I’m feeling really motivated heading into the race season. There’s always a mix of nerves and excitement this time of year, but mostly I’m just eager to see how the training translates to racing. Im thrilled with the work and progress I’ve made these pre season camps with skiing and my body. Excited to start feeling those pre race nerves and racing consistently.

No matter how the first races go, I feel like I’ve taken another step forward — as an athlete and as a person. That’s what keeps me coming back every year.

None of this would be possible without the help of our spectacular sponsors: GMC Dealers of Alberta, Genstar, InspiredGo, Mountain Fire Foods, Silvertip Resort, Karbon, and GearUp Mountain Sports.