BC Alpine community comes together at Sun Peaks to kick off a new season
Three days of learning, sharing and celebration brought B.C.’s ski racing community together as the countdown to the 2026–27 season begins.
There may not have been any snow on the ground, but there was plenty of ski racing energy in Sun Peaks this weekend. [All presentations can be viewed at the bottom of this article.]
Under bright sunshine and cooling temperatures, the tight-knit BC Alpine community converged on the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel for three days of learning, resource sharing, discussion and celebration, officially kicking off the 2026–27 ski racing season.
Coaching philosophies shared
Coaches got things underway Friday with a full afternoon of discussion and professional development, with a focus on the topic “Good is Built: From Reflection to Action,” bringing coaches together around shared philosophies and, importantly, how those ideas can translate into action within their programs this winter.
The program also included Mike Janyk on Self Determination Theory, an update and discussion with Alpine Canada’s Declan Norris on high performance training methodology, and a look ahead to the 2027 race calendar.
BC Ski Team head coach Morgan Pridy provided a technical update and some of the learnings emerging from the current provincial team. The session provided an opportunity to connect what is happening at the provincial-team level with athlete and coach development throughout the BC Alpine pathway.
The community comes together
By Saturday afternoon, the room had grown as representatives from BC Alpine member clubs joined coaches for a packed Member Summit featuring information, discussion and resources they could take back to their home clubs.
BC Alpine CEO Anders Hestdalen opened the Summit with an update on progress toward the organization’s 2023–2028 Strategic Plan before Tom Berekoff and Sport BC CEO Rob Newman took the floor for a session on philanthropy, fundraising and the range of services available to sport organizations in B.C.
One of the biggest opportunities discussed was the BC Amateur Sport Fund, which raised an impressive $8.1 million in 2025, with funds earmarked for amateur sport initiatives throughout the province. The discussion highlighted the opportunity for sport organizations to think differently about philanthropy and fundraising, and to tap into resources already available within B.C.’s amateur sport system.
The group also learned more about KidSport, Sport BC’s program dedicated to helping remove financial barriers that prevent children and youth from participating in organized sport. Together, the two programs offered a powerful example of the resources available to help strengthen sport from the grassroots up.
The rest of Saturday offered something for virtually every corner of the ski racing community. Declan Norris explored fitness qualities in young athletes, while Julie Morris of MyHR tackled a challenge familiar to many ski clubs, hiring and retaining seasonal staff, and Johnny Crichton continued the Good is Built conversation.
Later in the afternoon, Laurie Ehrman of Alpine Canada led a discussion on diversity, equity and inclusion in alpine ski racing, while Mark Newton shared information on Alpine Canada’s Para-Ready Program and available grant opportunities.
A night to celebrate
Saturday evening shifted from learning to celebration with the annual Goldie Awards, recognizing the athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials, clubs and ski resorts whose contributions helped make the 2025–26 season a success.
Named in honour of Bruce “Goldie” Goldsmid, who spent 37 years leading BC Alpine, the Goldies recognize excellence not only on the race course, but throughout the community that makes ski racing possible.
Hannah Jensen of the Whistler Mountain Ski Club was named Athlete of the Year, while coaching honours went to Sylvi Nymann of Mt. Washington Ski Club as Development Coach of the Year, Dillon Prophet of the BC Ski Team as High Performance FIS Coach of the Year, Drew Hetherington of Whistler Mountain Ski Club as Head Coach of the Year, and Zak Bourgon of Windermere Valley Ski Club with the Hustler Award. Whistler Mountain Ski Club’s U14 program was also recognized as Team of the Year.
It was also a big night for Apex Ski Club, which was named Ski Club of the Year, while the club’s Teck U14 Provincials earned Event of the Year honours. Mt. Washington Alpine Resort was recognized as Ski Resort of the Year, and John Trimmer of Mt. Washington Ski Club received the BC Alpine Builder Award.
The evening also celebrated the volunteers and officials who spend countless hours helping make races possible throughout the province.
Rob Boyd of Whistler Mountain Ski Club was recognized for the Coast Zone, Craig “Rooster” Rusnak of Windermere Valley Ski Club for the Kootenay Zone, Andrew Czornohalan of Smithers Ski Club for the North Zone, and Kim Shippam and Murray Smith of Vernon Ski Club for the Okanagan Zone. The provincial awards also recognized Josh Douglas of Whistler Mountain Ski Club and the Moira Jaatteenmaki Officials’ Award.
Young athletes were celebrated as well through the Dave Murray, Bob Parsons and Ski Canada bursaries, recognizing athletic ability and potential alongside qualities such as leadership, sportsmanship and dedication.
Together, the awards provided a fitting snapshot of the BC Alpine community, from developing athletes and coaches to longtime builders, volunteers, officials, clubs and resorts.
Planning for success
Sunday morning brought everyone back together for a few final updates before the Annual General Meeting.
Hestdalen presented From Start Gates to Spend Gates, BC Alpine’s Value of Ski Racing Study, followed by an officials update from Mark Schwenck and Drew Hetherington’s presentation on the Alpine Terrain Awareness Program.
The AGM officially brought the weekend to a close and marked the beginning of a new chapter for the organization, with a new Board of Directors elected under BC Alpine’s newly adopted bylaws. After three days of conversations, new ideas, shared resources, reconnecting with friends and celebrating some of the people who make the sport special, attention now turns to what everyone is thinking about and preparing for: the season ahead.