(photo left to right – Alexa Brownlie, Mila Plavsic, Dillon Prophet (guest coach), Erin Husken, Jasmine Coubrough)
The BC Women’s Training Group are currently in El Colorado, Chile, hard at work in the midst of a productive on-snow training camp.
According to head coach Montana Molyneux, a group of four skiers – Alexa Brownlie, Mila Plavsic, Erin Husken & newest Training Group athlete Jasmine Coubrough, along with Coach Monty and guest coach Dillon Prophet (Smither’s Ski Club) – look to complete 20 days of quality training during the camp which concludes on September 25th.
To date, they have worked on technical freeskiing, panelled glalom, GS training and some mountain freeskiing. It’s the first time in Chile for all the skiers.
“We experienced a lot of different weather from sunshine and blue skies on our first day to snow storms, high winds, and low visibility,” said Coach Monty. “The athletes were super productive throughout all the weather, pushing hard to make changes in their skiing. They made everyday count, finding improvements each day and working hard to pattern strong skiing through the training sessions.”
“Each athlete has a strong individual focus on what they need to do but some of the things we have been working on throughout the camp are: stacking up to start the turn, Establishing a strong outside ski before rolling on, ankle/shin engagement through the top of turn, a strong roll on into the turn.”
In addition to the training, the team has had an up-close-and-personal perspective of several World Cup teams, such as the Norwegian women’s tech team, the Austrian men’s tech team, as well as the Canadian para-alpine team and others. Next up will be a GS and super-G block next week.
“Our athletes worked hard this summer through their fitness training and the coaches are seeing that the athletes are able to get a lot done on the hill each day because of it.”
Big shout out to Shayna Little, a returning Training Group athlete that is working hard at home, coming back from knee surgery. We are excited about the progress she’s made through the recovery process and are looking forward to when she can be back on snow with the team!
(above left to right) Coach Montana Molyneux and Jasmine CoubroughGS environment
The men’s BC Ski Team have been hard at work preparing for the upcoming season, both on and off snow. The team returned in early September from a successful on-snow training camp in Chile at El Colorado.
“We got the whole spectrum of weather while we were away,” said Morgan Pridy, men’s head coach. “It’s a stark reminder of our shifting climate and precarious nature of future summer training plans. Shallow snow still provided a workable surface for the group to train, despite the unsightly and rapidly spreading dirt patches across the mountain.”
The weather quickly turned – proving the much-used weather apps correct – with metres of snow blanketing the hill forcing the team to wait out the storm.
“A small silver lining, albeit only in hindsight, was the incredibly consistent wind howling through the resort,” Pridy said. “Metres of snow hugged the snow fences and other wrinkles on the face of the mountain, but the bulk of our options for training space needed only a couple of days before it was scraped down to a productive surface once again.”
The team was rewarded “with an awesome week to finish the camp”.
What’s next Coach Morgan?
Each guy on the team is working through their own process to build themselves up towards the competitive season. Right now we all still have a lot of work ahead of us in order to be ready, but we also have a lot of opportunities to improve between now and December.
Closest at hand is finishing Septembers off-snow training and then returning to South America for our second chance at on-snow preparation. This time in Corralco, one of Chile’s most southern resorts.
The race season get’s underway for the BCST men in November. See the race calendar for details.
Photos from BCST camp in El Colorado, Chile
“Winter” arrivalChile sunsetArrival daySascha Gilbert & Oliver YoungDylan StevensSnow wall after the stormGS courseEarly mornings
Join us in Sun Peaks for the ever-popular, educational and informative sessions! We are excited to confirm our plans to again host our in-person Member Summit, Coaches Meeting and Annual General Meeting at the beautiful Sun Peaks Grand Hotel and Conference Center, October 13–15, 2023. All members are invited and it’s free to attend (excluding travel and accommodation).
Schedule (detailed agenda to follow):
Friday, October 13 (PM only) – Coaches Meeting (Day 1)
Saturday, October 14 (AM only) – Coaches Meeting (Day 2)
Saturday, October 14 (PM only) – Member Summit (Day 1)
Saturday, October 14 (Evening) – Goldie Awards and Banquet
Sunday, October 15 (AM/early afternoon) – AGM and Member Summit (Day 2)
“We are beyond excited to meet in person again for the second time since the pandemic. We truly believe that getting the membership together is key to the strong culture in BC, and that it is necessary to continue the success of alpine ski racing in BC. Last year’s summit was a weekend filled with learning, inspiration, collaboration, celebration and fun, and we want this one to be even better. See you in Sun Peaks!”
BC Alpine announced eight returning ski racers – and two new additions – to the BC Training Group, a major stepping stone towards BC Ski Team selection.
Four skiers met full qualification standards, while the others will be working over the preparation phase to be named to the BC Ski Team for the 2023-24 season (announcement in November). See the complete training roster below.
The Training Group, which represents five ski clubs across the province – Fernie Alpine Ski Team, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Grouse-Tyee Ski Club, Big White Racers and the Vernon Ski Club – are now focussed on fitness and pre-season training.
“This time of year is all about building trust and connection between coach and athletes,” said BC Alpine VP Johnny Crichton. “Find the limits and work together to extend them. It’s all about communication and support through physical challenges to prep the team for the long, arduous season. We have a great crew of coaches and athletes who are fully dedicated to becoming champions!”
Women’s group building culture
The women’s training group is kicking off the offseason with a training camp in Fernie through July. “This is where the team comes together to push out of their comfort zone, solidify themselves as a team and build a strong culture as well as explore a new community in BC,” said women’s head coach Montana Molyneux.
Coach Monty is excited to build on the progress from last season. “The returning athletes from the training group have created an environment that fosters respect, focus, hard work and fun which will be exciting for our newest training group athlete Jasmine. Together this group can continue to challenge each other to grow as athletes and teammates.”
“They will be ready to push out of the start gate whether that be Nor-Ams or BC cups and have full confidence that they’ve done everything to find success!”
The women’s group have a significant fitness focus from June to August with the first on snow camp scheduled for September in Chile, followed by indoor training session in October in Germany and then pre-season prep in North America in November.
Men’s group building on foundation
The men’s team is centralized in Fernie for July, where they are “dedicating this time together to push as a team and form the base needed to thrive during on snow prep,” said men’s head coach Morgan Pridy. Pridy is full of optimism regarding the development of the team.
“It’s very exciting to have the core group of guys back for the new season,” he said. “They worked hard last year to build up a strong foundation and also discovered the demands of a full Nor-am schedule. The group is hungry and has set high expectations moving forward.”
According to Pridy, the addition of Baptiste Cais to the training group will be a great opportunity for him and also the team to push his teammates.
From August to mid-October the men’s group will be back and forth between South America and home, working through on-snow skills and continuing fitness progressions.
* Two skiers from last season’s provincial group will not be rejoining the BCST this season. Heming Sola, of Summerland and the Apex Ski Club, who dazzled last season with strong performances will continue ski racing and pursuing academics at Dartmouth. Tait Jordan, of North Van and the Whistler Mountain Ski Club is pursuing options for post secondary education while completing his rehab (ACL) and growing his entrepreneurial endeavours.
BC Ski Team (qualified)
Dylan Timm (2002) Fernie Alpine Ski Team (Fernie)
Sascha Gilbert (2004) Whistler Mountain Ski Club (Whistler)
Dylan Stevens (2004) Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club (North Vancouver)
Oliver Young (2004) Vernon Ski Club/Okanagan Ski Team (Coldstream)
BC Women’s Training Group
Mila Plavsic (2004) Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club (Vancouver)
Alexa Brownlie (2005) Whistler Mountain Ski Club (Whistler)
Erin Husken (2005) Whistler Mountain Ski Club (North Vancouver)
Shayna Little (2005) Big White Ski Club/Okanagan Ski Team (Kelowna)
Jasmine Coubrough (2006) Vernon Ski Club / OST (Salmon Arm)
BC Men’s Training Group
Baptiste Cais (2005) Fernie Alpine Ski Team (Field)
