The Okanagan Zone once again enjoyed outstanding racing conditions at Apex Mountain Resort, where bluebird skies and a rock-hard surface set the stage for another successful BC Winter Games qualifier.
Hosted by the Apex Ski Club, the Teck Okanagan Zone Race delivered fast, challenging racing throughout the weekend. An icy track held up beautifully, rewarding strong technique and precision from start to finish.
U12, U14, and U16 athletes were pushed to their limits on demanding slalom and giant slalom courses. For the first time in several years, racing returned to the Old Mill run rather than Okanagan. With its steep, icy pitch, Old Mill kept racers firmly on edge and put both athlete skill and coaching preparation to the test. One thing was clear: time spent in the tuning room paid off.
Adding to the energy was a lively crowd of parents, families, future racers, and curious mountain guests who lined the course and cheered throughout the event.
A huge thank you goes out to the dedicated officials, volunteers (fuelled by Corn Nuts), racers, and parents whose enthusiasm and hard work made the weekend such a success. Special thanks to Technical Delegate Jim Martin, who made the long trip from Prince George to help ensure the event ran smoothly. None of this would be possible without the outstanding support of the team at Apex Mountain Resort.
Congratulations to all the athletes on a fantastic weekend of racing at Apex.
There’s nothing quite like a firm surface for ski racing – and Panorama delivered exactly that.
The first Kootenay Zone race of the season at Panorama Mountain Resort and hosted by the Windermere Valley Ski Club, welcomed more than 160 ski racers aged 12–16 to frigid temperatures, blue skies, and a rock-hard racing surface.
“It was like a World Cup–injected surface,” said Brianne Leeman, a Windermere Valley Ski Club volunteer. “The conditions were tough, especially for the younger U12 athletes, but with sunshine every day and consistent surfaces, it was very fair racing for everyone.”
The U12 athletes tackled an impressive 12 timed runs over three days, including four slalom (SL), four giant slalom (GS), and four kombi runs. U14 and U16 racers competed in three SL and two GS races, with four timed runs on Friday and Saturday, followed by two more on the final day.
By the end of the weekend, nearly 2,000 timed runs had been completed over three days—an incredible accomplishment made possible by a highly dedicated race crew and volunteer team. The U14 races also served as a BC Winter Games qualifier, making the consistent and fair conditions even more critical.
BC Alpine extends its thanks to the race organizers and volunteers who made the event possible: Race Chair Joanne Bragg, Chief of Timing James Ritchie, Chiefs of Race Craig Rusnak and Gary Foster, Race Administrator Judy Dickson, and Volunteer Coordinator Nancy Christie.
The Whistler Mountain Ski Club delivered another successful race weekend, this time under blue skies and on an ideal hard-packed racing surface.
The first Coast Zone race of the season for the U14 age group was held on the Ptarmigan run at Whistler Mountain, welcoming athletes from across the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.
Racing action kicked off on Saturday with a two-run combined giant slalom (GS), followed by a two-run combined slalom on Sunday. The event also served as a qualifier for the BC Winter Games, scheduled for February 25–March 1 at Red Mountain Resort.
“The coaches and volunteers came together to make this race a memorable experience,” said Whistler Mountain Ski Club representatives. “We’re grateful to the Dave Murray National Training Centre and Vail Resorts for their continued efforts in maintaining safe and high-quality race conditions on Ptarmigan.”
BC Alpine extends its thanks to the dedicated volunteer team whose efforts made the weekend possible, including Chief of Race Andrew Kirker, Chief of Course David Trent, Start Referee Michelle Douglas, Finish Referee Duncan Reid, Chief of Slip Chris Kelly, Chief of Timing Amie Chu, Chief of Gates Mirna Kokot, Race Office and Administration lead Gwendolyn Margetson, and Volunteer Coordinators Jenn Heyries and Marie-Eve Thierrien.
Challenging conditions kept athletes, coaches, and course crews on their toes last weekend as U16 racers took on the Ptarmigan run at the Dave Murray National Training Centre on Whistler Mountain.
The first Whistler Mountain Ski Club–hosted race of the season—and the first Coast Zone race for the U16 age group—went ahead thanks to a tremendous collective effort. Mild temperatures and heavy snowfall tested racers throughout the weekend, demanding focus, adaptability, and resilience.
“All of the coaches were pleased with the grit and determination the athletes showed despite the challenging course conditions,” said WMSC coach Jayden Metcalfe. “We loved seeing so many positive attitudes, smiling faces, and supportive teammates. The hard work put in during the pre-season was clearly reflected in a race environment.”
BC Alpine would like to extend a sincere thank you to the dedicated volunteers who made the event possible, including Chief of Race Josh Douglas, Chief of Course Andrew Kirker, Start Referee Martin Suchy, Finish Referees Josh Sarkis and Duncan Reid, Chief of Slip Darren Chalmers, Chief of Timing Amie Chu, Chief of Gates Euan Cormack, and Chief of Manual Timing Isabelle Poirier.
Despite demanding conditions, the weekend delivered strong performances and an exciting start to the Coast Zone U16 racing season.
In partnership with Alpine Canada, BC Alpine is excited to share a national survey that serves to better understand the value of skiing and ski racing across Canada. The survey explores the behaviour, travel patterns, and spend of skiers, ski racers, and their families at ski resorts and clubs, and will support data-driven decision-making to address challenges, inform opportunities, and strengthen collaboration across the sport.
By sharing your input, you will help to shape the future of ski racing in Canada and improve programs and partnerships in British Columbia. The survey takes 15-20 minutes, and all responses are anonymous and confidential.
Your feedback is critical to shaping the future of skiing in Canada. Thank you for participating!
