BC Alpine has announced six athletes selected to the 2026-27 BC Training Group, a key step in the high-performance pathway toward future BC Ski Team selection.
The six-athlete training group features a mix of returning talent and emerging athletes from across the province, providing a strong foundation for the upcoming season.
“Despite it being a trying season for the team, with some focused on overcoming injury and the rest fighting to make headway at Nor-Am competition, the entire group worked relentlessly to create stable footing coming into the 26/27 season and I believe they have put themselves in a strong position to both expedite progress in the prep and perform during the comp. We are very proud of Hannah and the work she put in to be selected for CAST D, we will be cheering hard for her. We are also very excited for Steve and Baptiste to start their next chapters and wish them continued success.”
Pridy said the combination of experienced athletes, new additions and coaching continuity has created an exciting environment heading into the 2026-27 season.
“Our crew has already been working hard during the spring and it’s exciting to get everyone together this month. All of the athletes are bringing different strengths into our environment and I look forward to seeing how high of a standard they can set as we work together towards them achieving their goals”
The coaching staff remains unchanged, with Pridy returning as head coach alongside assistant coaches Eric Schwenck and Dillon Prophet.
The team will begin its preparation with a month-long fitness and training camp in Fernie, followed by on-snow camps in Europe in August and South America in October. The focus throughout the summer and fall will be on physical preparation, technical development and building momentum toward the race season.
As participation in FIS racing reaches record levels across B.C. and athlete performances continue to raise the bar, BC Alpine is launching a new High Performance Project designed to support the province’s top BC Cup athletes and strengthen the pathway to the BC Ski Team.
The initiative will provide additional training, racing and development opportunities for the top eight men and top eight women in the BC Cup standings and represents another step forward in BC Alpine’s commitment to developing world-class athletes and supporting excellence at every stage of the performance pathway.
This program is driven by unprecedented growth in club and zone FIS programs, exceptional coaching across the province, and a deepening pool of talented athletes,” said Johnny Crichton, VP Athletics.
Building the Next Generation of BC Ski Team Athletes
The High Performance Project has been created to support the next tier of high-performance athletes in B.C. and provide a clearer pathway to provincial and national team success.
Athletes selected for the program will have opportunities to train alongside BC Ski Team coaches, gain a deeper understanding of the expectations and standards required at the provincial team level, and build stronger connections within the high-performance environment.
The initiative will also strengthen collaboration between BC Ski Team coaches and club coaches across the province, helping create a more integrated athlete development system and ensuring athletes receive consistent support as they progress through the pathway.
Program Structure
The High Performance Project will include:
The top eight BC Cup men and top eight BC Cup women.
Athlete selection based on BC Cup rankings:
Fall programs will be based on the previous season’s rankings.
Spring programs will be based on the final BC Cup standings from the current season.
A fall training camp.
One BC Ski Team-supported BC Cup race series during the season.
A spring training camp.
Financial support from BC Alpine to help reduce athlete costs.
The project will be organized by BC Alpine and led by BC Ski Team Head Coach Morgan Pridy.
Upcoming Opportunities
Fall 2026 Training Camp – Panorama: The first camp will take place at Panorama in Fall 2026. Invitations and additional details will be distributed in late summer.
Winter 2026-27 BC Cup Event: Athletes in the program will come together at a designated BC Cup race during the winter season. Further information will be released in Fall 2026.
Spring 2027 Training Camp – Sun Peaks Mega Camp: The program will conclude with participation in the Sun Peaks Mega Camp in Spring 2027. Additional details will be shared in early Spring 2027.
Looking Ahead
British Columbia continues to experience remarkable growth at the FIS level, with participation numbers at an all-time high and athletes delivering increasingly strong performances on the provincial and national stage.
As the competitive landscape continues to evolve, BC Alpine is adapting its approach to provide additional support for the province’s highest-performing athletes. By creating more opportunities for training, mentorship and integration with the BC Ski Team, the organization aims to help more athletes successfully progress through the pathway, reach the national team level and ultimately compete on the world stage.
Any specific questions on the program can be directed to Johnny Crichton, BC Alpine VP @ johnnyc@bcalpine.com
The season wrapped up in style at Sun Peaks Resort as the Girls Fast Forward (GFF) and inaugural B.C. Boys Camp (BCBC) brought athletes together for three high-energy days of skiing, learning, and connection from April 13–15.
Athletes were treated to excellent spring conditions, with sunshine, snowfall, and crisp temperatures throughout the camp. Salt was only required on one day, while training lanes on OSV, Chute, and the Rollers provided ideal terrain for a packed on-snow schedule.
Girls Fast Forward: Next Gen Rising
The Girls Fast Forward camp welcomed 46 skiers and featured an all-star coaching staff led by Sam Fournier, Cassidy Gray, Kiki Alexander, Britt Richardson, Amelia Smart, Eleri Smart, Sam Mulligan, and strength and conditioning coach Elias Jonsson.
Across three days, athletes trained giant slalom, slalom, speed fundamentals, and dual slalom, while many younger skiers were introduced to speed events in a safe and fun environment — one of the major highlights of the camp.
Off the hill, participants took part in athlete pathway roundtables, video analysis sessions focused on super-G, GS, and SL, fitness circuits, silly warm-ups, and a retro-themed dual slalom day that brought plenty of energy and laughs.
A standout theme throughout the camp was the connection between coaches and athletes, with CAST racers and guest coaches fully engaged in mentoring the next generation. Campers benefited from constant feedback, strong communication, and the opportunity to build lasting friendships within the GFF community.
BCBC: A Strong Debut
The first-ever B.C. Boys Camp brought together 11 U16 athletes from across the province for three productive days of training and mentorship.
The camp featured an elite coaching group of Broderick Thompson, Sam Mulligan, and Elias Jonsson. Athletes trained giant slalom and speed fundamentals before closing out camp with a Denim Day slalom and dual event.
Beyond the skiing, campers took part in video technical analysis, fitness sessions, and athlete pathway discussions. Thompson shared insights from the highest levels of speed skiing, while Mulligan and Jonsson brought valuable perspectives from elite racing and coaching environments.
The successful launch of the B.C. Boys Camp marked an exciting new addition to spring development programming in British Columbia, closing the season on a strong note at Sun Peaks
The MEGA Camp at Sun Peaks Resort lived up to the hype, welcoming a record-setting number of participants and creating a constant buzz of activity on and off the slopes. Over 10 days, the resort was energized by hard work, high performance, and an inspiring atmosphere that showcased the strength of alpine ski racing in British Columbia.
The MEGA Cup FIS races were equally successful, attracting a deep field of competitors from across Canada and the United States. Blessed with sunny skies, firm overnight freezes, and outstanding track preparation, athletes enjoyed four days of fair, world-class racing with minimal need for salt despite warm daytime temperatures.
Across two giant slalom races and two slalom races, organizers loaded the lifts at 6 a.m. each morning and completed racing by noon — an impressive operational achievement with fields reaching as many as 240 racers. The efficient schedule and exceptional surface conditions helped many athletes post career-best FIS points to close the season.
The BC Ski Team delivered several standout performances. Fourth-year BCST racer Dylan Stevens opened the series with victory in the first giant slalom after starting 29th in a field of 122 racers, then added a fifth-place finish the following day. Teammate Baptiste Cais earned two slalom podium finishes, placing second and third across the two-race series.
On the women’s side, Hannah Jensen capped a strong season with a win in the second giant slalom, while also finishing fourth and sixth in slalom competition. Lola Gilbert added a bronze medal in giant slalom and delivered consistent results throughout the week. See the full results below.
“MEGA Camp and the Mega Cup once again demonstrated what is possible when clubs, coaches, volunteers, officials, and resorts come together with a shared commitment to athlete development,” said Anders Hestdalen. “Sun Peaks provided an exceptional stage for competition, and it was fantastic to see so many athletes finish the season performing at a high level.”
A major contributor to the event’s success was the dedicated organizing committee and volunteer team. BC Alpine extends sincere thanks to Wade Rettie (ROC Chair), Jeff Robinson and Graham Cope (Chiefs of Race), Scott Karpiak (Chief of Course), Keven Dubinsky (Chief of Timing), Phyllis Kennedy (Race Administrator), Carmen Kirshenblatt (Technical Delegate), and Gabrielle Fox (Volunteer Coordinator), whose leadership and commitment helped deliver four exceptional days of racing.
Whistler Cup 2026 once again delivered a world-class experience, as Whistler Mountain Ski Club welcomed more than 650 U14 and U16 athletes and coaches from 20 nations to one of the world’s premier international youth alpine racing events.
Racing opened April 8–9 with U16 super-G under clear blue skies and firm, high-quality surfaces. Athletes, coaches, and supporters then gathered for Opening Ceremonies on April 9th, with a vibrant parade through Whistler Village, where the signature red Whistler Cup jackets were on full display.
Giant slalom and slalom racing followed April 10–11 in continued bluebird conditions, showcasing exceptional performance across all categories. A brief morning shower on April 12 gave way to improving skies and softer spring conditions, adding a final-day challenge that tested adaptability and skill.
Beyond the individual results, the Dual Relay team events from April 10–12 stood out as a defining feature of the week. With randomly selected international teams, athletes connected across countries and cultures, building friendships that extend well beyond the race course.
The week concluded with a celebratory banquet and awards presentation at the Whistler Conference Centre. Hosted by Rob Boyd, the evening featured awards presented by event sponsor O2E Brands, along with prizes from Atomic. The celebration included strong community representation, with World Cup alumni, Jack Crompton (Mayor of Whistler), Belinda Trembath (Whistler Blackcomb COO), and members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police—who added a unique touch by issuing “speeding tickets” for top super-G performances.
Reflecting on the event, Whistler Cup Co-Chairs Rob Boyd and Graham Ross highlighted both the quality of racing and the strength of the volunteer effort, noting the global camaraderie built throughout the week. Duncan Reid, Chair of Whistler Mountain Ski Club, emphasized the spirit of the athletes and the exceptional community support required to deliver an event of this scale.
Organizing Committee:
With leadership from Carmen Kirshenblatt and Colin Pitt-Taylor (Technical Delegates), the event was delivered by a highly coordinated team including Jason Shorter, Josh Douglas, and Jeff Parkhill (Chiefs of Race); Rob Cook, Ryan Duffy, and Josh Sarkis (Chiefs of Course); Mike Berton (Chief of Equipment); Darren Chalmers and Eric Limoges (Chiefs of Slip); Diane Katrusiak, Michelle Douglas, and Dan Hincks (Start Referees); Brigitte Schonner, Kelsey McDermott, and Andrew Kirker (Starters); John Irish, Nicole Stefenelli, Laura Harley, and Duncan Reid (Finish Referees); Henry Voss, Amie Chu, and Bronwyn Damm (Chiefs of Timing); Mirna Kokot and Euan Cormack (Chiefs of Gates); and Jennifer Heyries and Marie-Eve Therrien (Chiefs of Volunteers), supported by an outstanding volunteer team.
BC Alpine wishes to extend a sincere thank you to all volunteers, coaches, families, and partners, including title sponsor O2E Brands, Whistler Blackcomb, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, and the many sponsors who continue to support this internationally recognized event.
