“True professionals”: Two coaches departing BC Ski Team at season’s end

“True professionals”: Two coaches departing BC Ski Team at season’s end

BC Alpine is saying goodbye to two members of its family in order for them to focus on their own families, closer to home. At the end of this season, Montana Molyneux, BC Ski Team women’s head coach, as well as Dustin Koepke, men’s coach, are moving on.

“I am very proud of the athletes that I have worked with on the BC men’s and women’s teams,” Montana said. “It has been wonderful to watch them develop into great athletes and even better people. Ski racing creates a unique experience where we work, travel and live with a small team of athletes putting their all into the sport, Every-Single-Day. I appreciate them for allowing me to be a part of their journeys.”

Coach “Monty” as she is known by her peers and pupils, has been with the BCST program for the past four seasons, where she has also played an integral part of the leadership behind the highly-successful Girls Fast Forward program. “I hope I’ve created more space for female coaches in BC and would love to see more equitable work done to ensure women have more opportunities to coach at the higher levels.”

For Dustin Koepke, he will be closer to home to focus on his young family while he continues to coach in the Okanagan.

“I really enjoyed my time with the team, as a new Dad I want to spend a bit more time with my family,” he said. “I’m also excited to bring a lot of what I have been learning back to the club level.”

In the coming weeks BC Alpine will be posting more content about Montana and Dustin’s incredible journey with the provincial ski team. In the meantime, BC Alpine encourages interested coaches to consider applying for the vacancy. Details and application process can be found at the link below.

“We are going to miss Montana’s leadership, professionalism and incredible energy,” said Johnny Crichton, BC Alpine VP. “And Dustin played a big part in the successes and development of a strong men’s team. These are big shoes to fill!”


TECK RACE REPORT: North Zone Finals hosted by Smithers & Hudson Bay Mtn.

TECK RACE REPORT: North Zone Finals hosted by Smithers & Hudson Bay Mtn.

Smithers Ski & Snowboard Club (SSSC), along with Hudson Bay Mountain Resort, hosted the final North Zone Teck race of the season, March 9 – 10, replacing the traditional mid-series Purden Teck Race and wrapping up zone competitions early this year due to the low snow season and bigger provincial events coming up in April. With 64 athletes from SSSC, Prince George Ski Club, and Lightning Creek Ski Club, plus a contingent from Yukon Alpine, there was much energy for this multi-race weekend.

True to fashion, if you plan a ski race, it’s bound to finally snow, and the Saturday giant slalom brought fresh snow and soft conditions to contend with. Another ambitious northern schedule made for an action-packed day, with two races (4 runs) for U14-U19 athletes, and two races (2 runs) for U12 athletes on both days.

Day 2 was another busy slalom day, but the morning fog lifted, the schedule held firm and the difficult slalom hill made for plenty of action. North Zone trophies were presented to end the event and mark the top athletes across each age group for the season. Many of the annual trophies have over 40 years of successive names engraved; a testament to the strong ski racing culture in Northern BC.

Next up is the 38th annual Schussboomer speed camp, downhill and alpine combined events on April 5, 6, and 7th!

~ Report submitted by Cormac Hikisch, Smithers Ski & Snowboard Club President

NGSL RACE REPORT: Revy hosts the Okanagan NGSL Zone Finals

NGSL RACE REPORT: Revy hosts the Okanagan NGSL Zone Finals

The Revelstoke Ski Club and Revelstoke Mountain Resort were delighted to host the NGSL Okanagan Zone Finals on March 2 – 3, 2024. With over 100 cms of snowfall in the week leading up to the races, the storms cleared just in time for a fantastic weekend of racing. Although the constant low wind kept things cooler than expected for our volunteers and racers,
enthusiasm remained high.

Over 100 athletes from Apex Ski Club, Big White Ski Club, Vernon Ski Club, and Sun Peaks Ski Club travelled to Revelstoke for the Zone finals.

Saturday saw the U6 and U8 athletes compete in the dual slalom races, while Sunday featured the U10 and U12 skiers. Sunday’s racing was slightly more challenging as 10 cms of fresh snow had fallen overnight, adding an extra element of excitement to the competition.

A huge thank you goes out to all the volunteers who made this event possible, as well as Revelstoke Mountain Resort for their unwavering support. We are also immensely grateful to all our sponsors who contributed to the success of the race.

The home team (RSC) showcased an impressive performance, with notable results in the U12 category, see the results below.

U12 Girls – March 3rd

  • 1st: Indie Carson, Revelstoke Ski Club
  • 2nd: Mavis Gokiert, Revelstoke Ski Club
  • 3rd: Valen Skringer, Vernon Ski Club
  • 4th: Bryn Eyben, Revelstoke Ski Club
  • 5th: Harper Holland, Revelstoke Ski Club
  • 6th: Bria Gauer, Revelstoke Ski Club
  • 7th: Charlie Henshall, Revelstoke Ski Club
  • 8th: India Shearing, Revelstoke Ski Club
  • 9th: Lola Foster, Big White Ski Club
  • 10th: Anna Lang, Sun Peaks Ski Club

U12 Boys – March 3rd

  • 1st: Dawson Wilkey, Revelstoke Ski Club
  • 2nd: Ryder Milaney, Revelstoke Ski Club
  • 3rd: Sylas Bowlen, Revelstoke Ski Club
  • 4th: Mateo Colvin, Revelstoke Ski Club
  • 5th: Hugo Beruschi, Revlestoke Ski Club
  • 6th: Willem Irving, Revelstoke Ski Club
  • 7th: James Rorstsad, Revelstoke Ski Club
  • 8th: Fionn Kelly, Revelstoke Ski Club
  • 9th: Jayden Gauer, Revelstoke Ski Cub
  • 10th: Ben Belsham, Revelstoke Ski Club

Special thanks to our Platinum Sponsors: Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Eagle Pass Heli Skiing, Regent Hotel and Cheers Liquor Store, Cabot Revelstoke, and Mackenzie Village. We also extend our gratitude to our sponsors for providing prizes, goodie bags, and snacks for the event, including Mackenzie Village, The Wax Bench, Skookum Ski and Bike, Free Spirit Sports, Save On Foods, Southside Market, Powder Rentals, Integrated Apparel, Somewon, and Stoke FM.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event a memorable success!

~ Report submitted by Jennifer Ratelich, Revelstoke Ski Club

MEGA Camp: Last chance to register (April 2nd deadline)

MEGA Camp: Last chance to register (April 2nd deadline)

The MEGA camp is back. Considered some of the “best training, ever”, BC Alpine in partnership with Sun Peaks Resort, will once again host this exclusive training opportunity – the mountain will be closed to the public – from April 18-24th, 2024. Conditions are expected to be optimal for training and this opportunity will give clubs and racers a big jump on next season.

**Send in your request for dates and camp details using this link (requests MUST be sent in by club coach or leader, no individual requests will be accepted)


Cost:

  • $100 per day includes lift ticket and lane space
  • FIS race – $25 per entry
  • BC Alpine will invoice clubs after signing up

Accommodation:

Sun Peaks Grand Hotel

The Residences

Booking Info & Price List

Nancy Greene’s Cahilty Lodge

Meal plan Cahilty – $60.90 per day for 3 meals and snacks (book directly with Cahilty)


MEGA Benefits:

  • 10 days of exclusive-access ski race training (weather/snow dependent)
  • Mountain closed to public – access for racers only. Cycle on Elevation Lift only.
  • 5 different trails with different terrain to work on ski technique & tactics – trails include OSV, Bluff, Cariboo, Lower Chute, and 5 Mile.
  • On snow exposure to the BC Ski Team athletes and coaches.
  • Q&A with BC Ski Team athletes and coaches.
  • FIS races April 21,22,23,24 (GSx2,SLx2)

Trail description:

  • Cariboo – moderate with one steep pitch (30%+)
  • Five mile – flat, glide trail, with build terrain (roller packs)
  • OSV – homologated race trail

NGSL RACE REPORT: Whitewater hosts snowy Kootenay Zone Nancy Greene Festival

NGSL RACE REPORT: Whitewater hosts snowy Kootenay Zone Nancy Greene Festival

Whitewater Ski Team was pleased to host the Kootenay zone Nancy Greene Festival this past weekend, March 10th at Whitewater Ski Resort. We had 5 clubs in attendance – Summit Lake, Salmo, Red Mountain, Phoenix and Whitewater. We welcomed 140 athletes for a fun festival that included 5 different events. This year we had snow all day which proved exciting for the volunteers and athletes alike!

There was a long jump, a speed trap, a ski cross, a super G and a dual slalom. The distance was recorded on the long jump, the speed recorded on the speed trap and both the GS and SL runs were timed. Medals were given for the U12 and U14’s on the SG and SL events, and team certificates were handed out with ribbons for team placement. Each individual certificate had the athlete’s recorded results!

A huge thank you to all the Whitewater Ski Team volunteers for making this possible, to Whitewater resort for making this possible for our team to host, from hill space to terrain building, hauling of gear, lodge space and overall support. Thank you to the coaches, parents and athletes for travelling to join us for such a FUN event! It is a great way to end the Nancy Greene Ski League season.

~ Report Submitted by Megan Moscatelli, Whitewater Ski Team President