The B.C. Ski Team spent a month in Fernie this summer laying the groundwork for the upcoming season, focusing on a range of vital skills during an intense four-week training block. The athletes put in the blood, sweat and tears to ensure a strong start to the preparation phase.
Morgan Pridy, BC Ski Team head coach, sent in this informative report. See the full report below photo gallery.
BCST – FERNIE JULY 2025 (Photos by Roger Carry)
(left to right) Dillon Prophet, Alexa Brownlie, Hannah Jensen, Lola Gilbert, Tylee Carr, Jasmine Coubrough, Dylan Stevens, Dreas Gibbons, Baptiste Cais, Eric Schwenck, Morgan Pridy
Fernie Dryland: June 23 – July 23
The main reasons for this camp—apart from the fitness component—were to run a long and centralized session before getting on snow with our teams, focusing on:
Providing an entry point for new athletes into the BCST environment
Learning how the team, teammates, and new staff operate
Aligning and collaborating on big- and small-picture values and expectations
Mirroring the physical, mental, and scheduling stresses of on-snow camps in a lower-stakes environment
Allowing time for goal setting, individual performance planning, and other onboarding needs
The camp began with several days of fitness testing—a barrage of physical challenges ranging from classic field tests to isometric and velocity-based strength testing. It was an intense first four days, but it gave us valuable insight into each athlete’s strengths, gaps, and current level of development.
We also introduced what we call “performance coaching 101,” as one of our objectives is to normalize talking to a third party. The goal is that, when or if athletes need support, the idea of a performance coach or sport psychologist won’t feel foreign.
Following the testing and introductory sessions to the month’s programming, we settled into a relatively predictable schedule. Athletes knew what work was coming, could prepare properly, and got into a steady rhythm. Each week, we kept one session a mystery—it’s hard, around an hour, and they only get a clue about what type of shoes to bring.
Throughout the month, we emphasized gameplay and made an effort to play as many sports as possible, considering our team size. Beach volleyball and pickleball were likely the favourites this year. For most games, teams stayed in the same pairs, and we tallied wins and losses to crown the all-sports champions of the camp. This year’s teams included Tylee/Dreas, Dylan/Jasmine, Baptiste/Lola, the Coaches, and Hannah/Dillon (with Hannah somewhat limited as she recovers from shoulder surgery).
The month ended with “Games Day Finals,” a full day dedicated to sport and the deciding round for this year’s champions—culminating, as usual, with nine holes of best-ball golf.
Highlights from the camp:
Activity Day
This year’s challenge took place on Heiko’s Trail, with bike transit to and from trailheads.
Women’s team started from the western trailhead; men’s team from the eastern side.
Two aid stations (trucks in the bush) served as transition zones for bike-to-hike gear swaps.
The route included: 27 km alpine hike and 33 km of biking
The women’s team encountered a major rainstorm and were nearly stranded due to a washed-out service road—but everyone made it out safely and with a great story.
The goal of activity day: equal parts preparation and testing athletes’ staying power.
Baptiste completed a custom ultra challenge:70 km with 2,250 vertical metres. Handled it “way too easily”
Games Day Finals
A highlight of camp—fun and competitive.
Great opportunity to observe improvement over the month.
Noticeable gains in both individual performance and team cohesion.
Final Conditioning Session
Camp wrapped with an early morning field workout before travel day.
Athletes pushed hard, knowing it was their final challenge.
Coaches joined the session—usually outpaced by the athletes, who then helped motivate them to the finish.
Personal Highlight
Witnessing each athlete’s growth throughout the month was a standout.
Rookies, in particular, showed noticeable gains in:
BC Alpine announced five returning ski racers – and three new additions – to the BC Training Group, a major stepping stone towards BC Ski Team selection.
A total of five ski clubs from across the province are represented in the group – Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club, Fernie Alpine Ski Team, Vernon Ski Club and Windermere Valley Ski Club.
“It is awesome to see our women’s team increase coming into next season,” said Morgan Pridy, the BC Ski Team head coach. “We will be missing Alexa [Brownlie] in a leadership role but it will make for a great inter-team opportunity for the whole group to dial in and keep the ship running true and fast. And the men’s team is anchored by two solid veterans, and the addition of Dreas [Gibbons] will round out a very competitive environment.
Alexa Brownlie, one of the leaders on the team last season, is moving on to the University of Colorado Boulder, to join the powerhouse NCAA ski racing team, while she pursues a university degree. Other notable changes are the departure of Oliver Young, who is attending University of Calgary this Fall.
The team and coaching staff are currently in the midst of a month-long training camp in Fernie, with two on-snow camps scheduled in Europe in August and South America in October. The focus for the group is on fitness and pre-season training.
Pridy is impressed with the team energy and mix of athletes.
“I’m very excited about the future of this group. The team is anchored by returning members and new energy coming in. We have continuity and stability in the coaching staff and a really good plan to help the athletes achieve their goals.”
MORGAN PRIDY, HEAD COACH
BC Ski Team (returning)
Jasmine Coubrough (2006) Vernon Ski Club / OST (Salmon Arm)
Thea Torn, Whistler Mountain Ski Club (Whistler)
Hannah Jensen, Whistler Mountain Ski Club (Whistler)
Dylan Stevens (2004) Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club (North Vancouver)
Baptiste Cais, Fernie Alpine Ski Team (Field)
Training Group
Lola Gilbert, Windermere Valley Ski Club (Whistler)
Tylee Carr, Vernon Ski Club (Vernon)
Dreas Gibbons, Whistler Mountain Ski Club (Whistler)
Vancouver, B.C. (Monday May 26, 2025) — BC Alpine Ski Association is proud to announce a continued partnership with Teck Resources Limited (Teck) as the lead partner and major sponsor of alpine ski racing in British Columbia.
Teck’s significant contributions over the next five years will have far-reaching and long-lasting effects on the development of ski racers in communities throughout BC.
Teck has been a partner with BC Alpine and its 32 ski clubs and over 6,700 members since 2008, as the title sponsor of the Teck U14 and U16 race series, a provincial program for 11-to 16-year-old skiers from across the province. Teck will continue to play a large role in the success of more than 50 ski race events hosted by BC ski clubs between December and April each year.
Anders Hestdalen, CEO of BC Alpine, says that a huge part of BC Alpines success is that we have been able to sustain programming and support over decades, through ups and downs, and that’s how you end up as a successful organization and sport. “We have very strong grassroots programming and medalists from World Championships and the Olympics. That is largely thanks to our Teck partnership that now will continue for another five years. Thank you, Teck and let’s build our communities even stronger!”
The unique relationship between Teck and BC Alpine is based on “community”. Teck employees are passionate and engaged in community activities and many are involved as volunteers or have children in BC Alpine clubs across the province.
“Living in British Columbia offers an incredible opportunity to enjoy nature through activities like skiing and we are proud to support BC Alpine Ski Associations’ initiatives that engage youth across the province,” said Carleigh Whitman, Head of Social Performance & Indigenous Relations at Teck.
The agreement between Teck and BC Alpine commences in the 2025–26 season and extends to 2030–2031.
For more information please contact: Kathy Stahr, BC Alpine – kathys@bcalpine.com
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:
