AST Athlete Journal: William Puloski

Wow, is it ever icy! My name is William Puloski and this will be my first year as a part of the Alberta ski team. At the moment I am writing this athlete journal, it is the third day of Team Alberta’s excursion to Hintertux, Austria. This camp marks a pivotal moment in the development of our season as we shift our focus to race preparation rather than return to snow. As some may already know, we began the season in Saas-fee, Switzerland, where we relearned the basics and constructed a foundation for our skiing. On the contrary, the conditions here in Austria are optimal if you were a hockey player or figure skater. The rough and icy surface offers demanding training that is valuable for race preparation. Fortunately, our team loves a good challenge, and we are excited to battle the icy slopes for the whole two weeks we are here.

As this is my first of many athlete journals I thought I should share a little bit about myself. I have grown up my whole life in Calgary. My two sisters and I grew up racing at Panorama, and up until this year, it felt like Pano was my second home. My identity is entrenched in mountain life, this summer I worked at Greywolf golf course waking up early to mow grass. One of my favourite hobbies during the off-season, other than working out, is golfing. Speaking of which, my bucket list includes golfing at Silvertip Resort. Alberta Alpine hosts an annual Quest for Gold tournament at Silvertip’s course, and although our team was volunteering at the event, I will be planning my next visit soon. Some of my other favourite hobbies include mountain biking, spike ball and football. As one of two student-athletes on the team this year, my hobbies will be diluted by navigating the academic semesters. Balancing training, rest, and school is a foreboding task that will require sufficient focus and discipline. Thankfully, my coaches have provided a great plan for me to balance sufficient training days with the flexibility to spend adequate time at school. A proper education has always been at the forefront of my ideals. Speed bumps like injuries are always present in the dangerous sport we compete in, and having good grades supports a backup plan.

I am super proud to be representing Alberta this year! As a Team Panorama native, I am excited to stay close to home while still representing the province. For my whole ski career, I have been a part of Team Pano and religiously trained at Panorama Mountain. Alternatively, I will be exposed to more conditions and terrain as the Alberta team trains at a broader range of mountains. The differences between club team racing and PSO racing (provincial ski organization) extend beyond the available training environments. Upon introduction to the athletic requirements of preseason training camps, the first thing I noticed was the focus on health and recovery. During two- to three-week camps with few rest days, the focus on proper recovery and health habits was instrumental to our success. Fortunately, the wisdom of older, more experienced teammates like Caleb and Aidan proved invaluable and left an impact on the habits I continue to follow. We are lucky enough to have Mountain Fire Foods and InspiredGo as sponsors this year, fueling us with healthy nutritious meals while we are away focusing on racing. In addition to a focus on recovery and health habits, the individual focus and personalized training are another noticeable change from club environments. Regular coach and athlete video review is an aspect of this. After a day on the slopes, a video review is instrumental to the progression of skiing technique and to refining line strategy. At the moment, I have been focusing on raising my ski arc above the gate to allow sufficient space to bend the ski and to better use the gravity of the hill. Coach and athlete video analysis allows for a time to share feedback and create a foundational plan for the following days.

As I reflect on the first few days here in Hintertux, I realize how pivotal this experience will be for my growth as both an athlete and individual. The challenges of icy conditions, balancing academics, and adapting to a new team environment are all opportunities to learn and improve. I’m grateful for the support of my coaches, teammates, and sponsors who make this journey possible. With each day on snow, I feel more motivated to push my limits and proudly represent Alberta this season.

Thanks so much to our sponsors GMC Dealers of Alberta, Genstar, InspiredGo, Mountain Fire Foods, Silvertip Resort, Karbon, and GearUp Mountain Sports. Our season would not be possible without your support.