AST Athlete Journal: Will Puloski

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!