Whistler Cup 2026 once again delivered a world-class experience, as Whistler Mountain Ski Club welcomed more than 650 U14 and U16 athletes and coaches from 20 nations to one of the world’s premier international youth alpine racing events.
Racing opened April 8–9 with U16 super-G under clear blue skies and firm, high-quality surfaces. Athletes, coaches, and supporters then gathered for Opening Ceremonies on April 9th, with a vibrant parade through Whistler Village, where the signature red Whistler Cup jackets were on full display.
Giant slalom and slalom racing followed April 10–11 in continued bluebird conditions, showcasing exceptional performance across all categories. A brief morning shower on April 12 gave way to improving skies and softer spring conditions, adding a final-day challenge that tested adaptability and skill.
Beyond the individual results, the Dual Relay team events from April 10–12 stood out as a defining feature of the week. With randomly selected international teams, athletes connected across countries and cultures, building friendships that extend well beyond the race course.
The week concluded with a celebratory banquet and awards presentation at the Whistler Conference Centre. Hosted by Rob Boyd, the evening featured awards presented by event sponsor O2E Brands, along with prizes from Atomic. The celebration included strong community representation, with World Cup alumni, Jack Crompton (Mayor of Whistler), Belinda Trembath (Whistler Blackcomb COO), and members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police—who added a unique touch by issuing “speeding tickets” for top super-G performances.
Reflecting on the event, Whistler Cup Co-Chairs Rob Boyd and Graham Ross highlighted both the quality of racing and the strength of the volunteer effort, noting the global camaraderie built throughout the week. Duncan Reid, Chair of Whistler Mountain Ski Club, emphasized the spirit of the athletes and the exceptional community support required to deliver an event of this scale.
Organizing Committee:
With leadership from Carmen Kirshenblatt and Colin Pitt-Taylor (Technical Delegates), the event was delivered by a highly coordinated team including Jason Shorter, Josh Douglas, and Jeff Parkhill (Chiefs of Race); Rob Cook, Ryan Duffy, and Josh Sarkis (Chiefs of Course); Mike Berton (Chief of Equipment); Darren Chalmers and Eric Limoges (Chiefs of Slip); Diane Katrusiak, Michelle Douglas, and Dan Hincks (Start Referees); Brigitte Schonner, Kelsey McDermott, and Andrew Kirker (Starters); John Irish, Nicole Stefenelli, Laura Harley, and Duncan Reid (Finish Referees); Henry Voss, Amie Chu, and Bronwyn Damm (Chiefs of Timing); Mirna Kokot and Euan Cormack (Chiefs of Gates); and Jennifer Heyries and Marie-Eve Therrien (Chiefs of Volunteers), supported by an outstanding volunteer team.
BC Alpine wishes to extend a sincere thank you to all volunteers, coaches, families, and partners, including title sponsor O2E Brands, Whistler Blackcomb, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, and the many sponsors who continue to support this internationally recognized event.
The Cypress Ski Club welcomed athletes from across the Lower Mainland for the U12–U14 Teck Coast Zone Finals, delivering two outstanding days of racing, development, and community on home snow last weekend.
After a long season, the Finals arrived with classic spring conditions—bluebird skies, warm sunshine, and fast, consistent snow at Cypress Mountain. From first inspection to final racer, the energy on the hill was high, with athletes, coaches, and volunteers embracing a true celebration of Coast Zone racing (and staying well-equipped with sunscreen and hydration along the way).
Racing took place on Lower Fork–Panorama, where U12 and U14 athletes tackled a full weekend of slalom competition. As with the best development events, the focus extended well beyond results. Athletes were challenged to adapt, reset between runs, and push their limits in a supportive, team-first environment. It’s at this stage where confidence grows, resilience takes shape, and a deeper understanding of racing begins to emerge.
Across the weekend, 120 Top-10 awards were presented, highlighting both strong performances and the inclusive spirit of the event. Just as important were the moments between runs—teammates cheering in the finish, athletes rebounding from tough sections, and shared excitement across clubs. It’s these moments that define the experience and build the foundation for future success.
A big thank you toThomas Cheng for the incredible photography this season. Check out these beauties!
Behind the scenes, more than 100 volunteers ensured the event ran seamlessly, from course prep and timing to gates and hospitality. Their collective effort created a safe, high-quality race environment and once again demonstrated the strength of the Coast Zone community.
Leading the delivery was Mark Schwenk (Technical Delegate), alongside Kim Mohr (Chief of Race), Perveen Biln (Start Referee), Jocelyn Ramsey (Finish Referee), Vlada Novak (Chief of Gates), Kaveh Afshari (Chief of Timing), Teresa Skelton (Chief of Manual Timing), Ian Campbell (Chief of Course), Josh Good (Chief of Slip), Andrea Tegzes and Andrea Vigna (Race Secretaries), Raul Anguita (Program Director), Tanya Cornelia and Kristina Herder (Chiefs of Volunteers), Eric Roberts (Chief of Hospitality), and Helene Tremblay (Sponsors/Awards/Media).
With strong racing, exceptional conditions, and a full community effort, the 2026 Coast Zone Finals at Cypress were a fitting cap to the season.
The 2026 Teck Okanagan Zone Finals closed out the season in style at SilverStar Mountain Resort, with two classic spring race days – bluebird skies, +5 to +10°C, and a true beach-day vibe by Sunday.
More than 150 skiers from Vernon, Apex, Big White, Sun Peaks, and Revelstoke came ready to finish the season strong. Saturday’s GS for the U14 and U16’s delivered speed and intensity, while Sunday’s slalom brought full spring energy. Despite the warmth, the surface held firm thanks to a dedicated course crew that refused to let the conditions win.
The U12 skiers kept the momentum high with two GS runs on Saturday and two SL runs on Sunday (junior and paneled), showcasing strong progression and confidence heading into next season.
This event was a true zone effort, with volunteers from across clubs stepping in at every level – from course prep to timing to finish line energy.
A sincere thank you to all volunteers, coaches, families, and partners, including SilverStar Mountain Resort and Teck, for making this weekend – and the entire season – a success.
Photos: Eva Manuchova
Organizing Committee: Led by Hugh MacNaught (Technical Delegate), Kim Shippam (Chief of Race), and Carol Main (Race Chair), with key support from Luke Hornhardt (Chief of Course), Rob Skringer (Chief of Timing), Marty Steele (Chief of Gates), Alison Uesson (Race Administration), Allison Goff (Volunteer Coordinator), and Rodger Poole (VSC Program Director), the event was delivered through a strong, collaborative effort across the zone.
A dramatic shift in weather and an incredible all-hands effort set the stage for a memorable U14 Provincial Championships at Apex Mountain Resort. From spring-like rain and slush on Friday to cold, sunny, and world-class race conditions over the weekend, athletes experienced the full spectrum of racing in the Okanagan.
Earlier this season, the decision was made in early February to relocate the U14 Provincials from Mt. Washington to Apex. With typically a year of planning required for an event of this scale, the Apex organizing committee and supporting clubs rose to the challenge—delivering a high-quality championship event on a condensed timeline.
Friday kicked off with Team Duals, featuring 28 teams made up of 8–9 athletes from mixed clubs, each led by an assigned coach. Despite above-zero temperatures, rain, and slushy conditions, racers put down strong single runs in a spirited and collaborative format. Off the hill, athletes took part in a scavenger hunt around Apex Village, followed by a well-earned BBQ lunch hosted by The Edge Bistro – bringing athletes and coaches together in a fun, team-focused environment.
Overnight, temperatures dropped, transforming the track and setting up ideal race conditions for the remainder of the weekend.
Saturday featured boy’s slalom on Okanagan and girl’s giant slalom on Old Mill (Dual ROC). Under bluebird skies and below-zero temperatures, athletes were met with firm, consistent surfaces – conditions that allowed for confident skiing and high-level performance across the field.
Sunday delivered more of the same, with boy’s GS on Old Mill and girl’s slalom on Okanagan. The GS track in particular stood out, offering a surface that would rival top-level race venues—one that any World Cup athlete would have appreciated.
This event would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of volunteers. With limited lead time, clubs from across the province stepped up in force. A special thank you goes to volunteers from Sun Peaks and Mt. Washington who arrived early on Thursday to assist with venue setup, alongside the many hands who supported throughout the weekend to ensure smooth and safe racing.
Leading the race organizing effort was Michael Johncox (Race Chair), supported by Wally James (Chief of Timing), David Warriner (Chief of Race, Men), Jeff Ellis (Chief of Race, Women), Todd Ring (Chief of Course, Men), Martin Parilak (Chief of Course, Women), Sonja Childs (Chief of Gates, Women), Mark Leng (Chief of Gates, Men), Jenafor Lansel (Race Administrator), and Dave Gill (Chief of Volunteers).
From a rapid turnaround in planning to exceptional race execution, the 2026 U14 Provincials at Apex showcased the strength, collaboration, and resilience of the BC Alpine community.
The 2026 HUB International Nancy Greene Festival returned to Sun Peaks Resort, welcoming nearly 2,000 guests for the largest Nancy Greene Ski League festival in Canada.
Across two days, 675 skiers took part in a full schedule of events designed to build skills and foster a love of racing. The program featured dual glalom, speed trap, moguls, jump, obstacle course and a ski cross-style kombi, creating a dynamic and engaging environment for young skiers.
Winter conditions set the stage, with a firm, consistent surface on Friday and sunny skies delivering excellent conditions for Saturday’s events. The combination of a challenging track and a fun, festival atmosphere made for a standout weekend.
Nancy Greene was on site throughout the event, cheering on young skiers, connecting with families and handing out awards—adding to the energy and excitement across the venue. Olympic ski cross gold medallist Ashleigh McIvor was also on hand at the awards ceremony delivery a few words to the skiers and handing out awards.
The festival also delivered its signature off-course moments, with a lively atmosphere that included entertainment and plenty of opportunities for athletes to engage beyond racing.
Overall, the event provided a valuable development opportunity for young skiers, blending competition with fun and community in a uniquely Sun Peaks setting.
Organizing Committee: Jeff Robinson (Chief of Festival), Kelly Dye (Chief of Race – Glalom), Dave Gilmour (Chief of Course), Dave Fox (Chief of Events), Gabrielle Fox and Sara Thomson (Race Administration), Gabrielle Fox (Volunteer Coordinator)
BC Alpine congratulates and thanks the incredible event organizers and the Sun Peaks Alpine Club for hosting an outstanding event.
The FIS Boyd Cup Speed and Tech series returned to the Dave Murray National Training Centre, delivering a full week of training and competition under the leadership of race chair and Canadian ski racing legend Rob Boyd.
Following heavy rainfall the week prior, cooler temperatures and clear skies provided a turnaround in conditions, allowing for high-quality surface preparation. The event featured a full program, including downhill training and racing, and concluded with FIS-sanctioned giant slalom and slalom races.
“We were proud to deliver a strong FIS series despite early weather challenges,” said Carol Anne Parkhill, Chief of Race (WMSC). “The field was deep, and the volunteer support – especially from the Weasel Workers – created a positive, collaborative environment. We’re excited to build on this and welcome back full speed events next year.”
Rob Boyd acknowledged the resilience of the organizing team and the broader community:
“The weather forced adjustments, but the focus remained on creating a positive experience for athletes. Once conditions improved, the track was exceptional, and the team delivered. It was also great to connect with athletes and coaches off-hill and see strong engagement from visiting programs who are eager to return.”
The event also featured athlete and coach engagement initiatives, including a speed-focused session led by Boyd and Broderick Thompson. Local athletes capitalized on home-hill advantage, with strong performances highlighting the week.
Organizing Committee: Rob Boyd (Race Chair), Carol Anne Parkhill (Chief of Race), Henry Voss (Chief of Timing), Rick Hume (Chief of Course), Vicki Schenk (Race Administration), Jenn Heyries (Chief of Volunteers), Lisa Ferguson (Technical Delegate)
Podium photos by Kevin Heyries. Action photos by Cash Nedelak
