There are so many volunteers, partners and supporters who are the true “engine” of ski racing in B.C. Now it is time to recognize some of the events, clubs, resorts and volunteers who went above and beyond in the 2024-25 ski season. PLEASE nominate before May 31, 2025!
1. Club Development of the Year
Criteria: This BC Alpine ski club has illustrated growth and significant improvement or leadership during the current season
Selection: BC Alpine Awards Committee makes the final selection for this award
5. Moira Jaatteenmaki Officials’ Award
Criteria:
A continued dedication to the Officials’ program and the sport of ski racing by serving as a committed BC Alpine Official over a period of several seasons
As a result of his or her contributions, this Official has helped ski racing continue at the highest level in the province, offering participating athletes the best opportunities for advancement in their pursuit of excellence in the sport.
Selection: BC Alpine awards committee makes the final selection for this award.
7. Coach Awards
We know there are many outstanding and dedicated coaches who keep the clubs going and the athletes fit and motivated. We will be recognizing them too! A committee of Program Directors and Coaches, along with BC Alpine, will honour coaches in the following categories:
It is that time of year – award season! This is a great opportunity for us all to recognize the extraordinary talent and work ethic of the ski racers across the province. See below for detail on the Athlete Award categories for 2025.
1. Dave Murray Bursary
Award: $750.00 (two bursaries)
Criteria: Awarded to two BC athletes based on the following:
Financial need.
Athletic ability / Sportsmanship / Leadership.
Recommendation to BC Alpine by coach or other club representative.
Priority given to U19 level athletes.
About the Award: Founded in 1987 by friends of Dave Murray after a fundraiser
*Awarded to one athlete OR $250 each to one male and one female athlete
Criteria
U16 level athletes only
Financial need
Potential to rise to the top of ski racing in Canada
Recommendation to BC Alpine by coach or other club representative
About the Award: The Ski Canada Bursary is available for not-for-profit ski organizations and groups across Canada.
Application/Nomination: Submit via BC Alpine Website http://bcalpine.com/awards/. Selection BC Alpine awards committee makes final selection for this award
4. Cary Mullen Award
Criteria: This athlete has displayed the most sportsmanlike conduct
BC Alpine coaches and staff are still smiling from ear-to-ear after a massively successful camp and race series at Sun Peaks, to cap off the 2024-25 ski racing season and kick-start next season, all at the same time.
The racing and training conditions at Sun Peaks Resort were world-class, and teams from across B.C. and from other parts of Canada were ecstatic about the on-snow environment on home snow.
“Spring conditions, personal bests, and an unmatched training environment came together for a week of unforgettable skiing at the 2025 Mega Camp and Mega Cup Races,” said BC Alpine VP, Johnny Crichton.
With athletes and clubs from B.C., Alberta, Ontario, and the United States, this year’s event proved that world-class alpine training and competition can thrive right here at home—and at a fraction of the cost of traditional summer camps abroad. Link to results at the bottom of the story.
With the resort closed to the public and fully dedicated to ski racing, participating clubs had access to premium, uninterrupted terrain, top-tier grooming, and race-quality snow surface preparation throughout.
“From the opening day of camp to the final racer across the finish line, we showcased the full potential of late-season training in Canada,” explain Crichton.
World-Class Terrain, Homegrown Opportunity
According to Crichton, the elite alpine training environment was able to support every level, including:
Roller Pack Lane – Perfect for athletes to develop foundational movement and agility.
Cariboo Trail Pitch – A true technical challenge for SL and GS work, with consistent surface and very steep pitch.
Speed Terrain – Super G blocks allowed safe and progressive speed exposure for U16 FIS-level racers- including a jump.
“This camp checked every box, great terrain, great surface, and no distractions,” said a coach from Ontario.
Mega Cup Races: Fair, Fast, and Full of PBs
The Mega Cup Races, held April 24–27, were a true highlight—executed with professionalism, precision, and athlete-centered intention. Despite late-season warmth, the race surface was kept firm and consistent thanks to a perfectly timed salt application program, high-level grooming, and a relentless commitment to efficiency.
Races were completed in under three hours, a near-unprecedented feat for a dual-gender, two-run FIS event with two separate courses and ~125 athletes. The result?
✅ Dozens of personal bests
✅ Safe, fair conditions from first racer to last
✅ No unnecessary delays! just great racing
Collaboration Across Clubs and Provinces
Mega Camp drew participation from all over Canada and beyond, creating a rich environment for collaboration and performance growth. Athletes and coaches from BC, Alberta, Ontario, and the U.S. shared training lanes, learned from each other, and pushed standards higher—all without the costs and logistics of international travel.
“It was high-performance, athlete-focused, and community-driven,” said BC Alpine VP Johnny Crichton. “This is the future—training together, investing locally, and making sure every athlete has access to excellence.”
A Blueprint for the Future
With elite terrain, zero public traffic, and a strong collective effort from clubs, coaches, and volunteers, Mega Camp 2025 delivered a spring training and racing model that’s sustainable, scalable, and proudly Canadian. Plans are already in the works to build on this momentum for Mega Camp 2026—and after what was accomplished this year, the expectations have never been higher.
Personal bests. Professional execution. Proudly Canadian.
Another highly-successful GFF camp in the books as BC Alpine once again hosted a Girls Fast Forward camp at Sun Peaks, in pursuit of gender equity and effective mentorship within the female-identifying ski racers in the province, and this time supported by the Vancouver Ski Foundation.
A total of 46 skiers from all over BC in the U14 to FIS age groups were coached by six World Cup and Europa Cup level female ski racers from Canada, alongside coaches from the provincial team and Canadian para-alpine ski team and national team alumni.
The camp kickstarted the 2025-26 season by working on building a strong foundation and athletic position on snow.
Off-snow, the coaches led a tuning info session, athlete panels on female health and menstrual cycles, as well as how to take ownership on your development. Fitness sessions with core and mobility and video tech talks with national team athletes all happened in 3 days
“The athletes developed strong bonds and built upon their confidence on and off snow all in a positive, fun environment,” said Montana Molyneux, former BCST coach and driving force behind the Girls Fast Forward program.
“Having so many strong female leaders at this camp models for these young athletes that they can be ski racers, coaches and so much more moving forward in their journeys! If they can see it, they can be it. FIS numbers have grown for female ski racers in BC but we still are lacking representation at high performance levels and at the coach and program director levels. This camp aims to inspire more athletes to stay involved in sport!”
Coaches:
Samantha Fournier – GFF coach lead
Rachel Topping – Canadian Para Alpine Development team
Considered some of the “best training imaginable”, BC Alpine in partnership with Sun Peaks Resort is hosting this exclusive training opportunity – the mountain will be closed to the public – from April 17th to the 27th, 2025. Conditions are expected to be optimal for training and this opportunity will give clubs and racers a big jump on next season.
“Our goal is to again bring athletes and coaches from around our province, as well as other provinces, together for a variety of training opportunities for a low cost. This will give BC racers more time on-snow in their home province. Our last Mega Camp was a great success and we aim to grow the opportunity to make great off- season training available to as many athletes as we can.”
– Johnny Crichton, BC Alpine Vice President
BC Alpine will centrally manage the Sun Peaks “Training Centre” in terms of tickets and lane space. We will help to create different environments for all the teams and clubs that want to take advantage of this great training. Teams must come with their club coach and the price for lift ticket and lane space is $100 per day. Details on meal plan and accommodation options can be found in the links below.
BENEFITS
11 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 and 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
Legend Coaches (TBD) will be in attendance
FIS races (2GS/2SL) on April 24 – 27; OSV booked out for this race; start fee for these races will be $20.00 (lift and lane fee still required – $100 per day).
ELIGIBILITY
All athletes U12 and older (cap at 250 athletes per day)
DATES
April 17 to 27, 2025 (11 possible days on snow)
LOCATION
Sun Peaks Resort, BC
COST
$100 per day per athlete/coach (includes lane, lift and grooming)
