The 2024/25 season registration is under way! Online registration by the club through the BC Alpine’s registration database is all that is require to get on the FIS list however athlete will not be start eligible until such time that their paperwork is accepted by BC Alpine.
SAIP Changes
The SAIP (Sport Accident Insurance Program) is under a new provider this season which includes a new category allowing for travel up to 210 days out of country. The updated SAIP options are already available at https://bcalpine.com/programFees/#_saip. Please remember that all FIS registered athletes must have a SAIP insurance selected in order to be considered start eligible. Information about the new SAIP coverage and claims process should be made available next week and will be posted in the BC Alpine SAIP Information folder as soon as it’s available.
FIS Paperwork
Following last year’s new feature update all FIS paperwork can now be found and uploaded via the BC Alpine Members page at https://bcalpine.com/memberUpdate/. FIS members need to get their yearly medical completed, so please be sure to book with your doctor soon if you have not already done so. Note: A link to this page is sent to registered members provided that their email address is valid. Thank you to all of the members who I’ve seen already getting their forms uploaded!
Out of Country FIS Racers
ACA will again be applying a $150 International FIS Athlete Service fee. This applies to Canadian FIS licensed athletes who are participating in an international program outside of Canada and electing to start in FIS competitions as well as Canadian FIS Licensed Masters athletes who are participating in an international FIS race outside of Canada. This fee allows ACA to appropriately service CAN FIS licensed athletes participating in programs and/or Masters races outside of Canada, additional time and resources are required to ensure that their program(s) can be supported in the manner to which is expected. Contact KevenD@bcalpine.com via email to verify you are correctly listed if you believe this applies to you.
The SAIP Exclusion Waiver has been retired this season. Athletes who are training in NCAA or other out of country programs this year will no longer be able to sign off insurance requirements. These athletes will need to purchase a valid SAIP program in order to complete at a FIS race this season. Please note that the SAIP insurance only covers direct ACA sanctioned activities such as FIS races not training or non-FIS events, so they would need to have accident insurance either provided by their school/program for non-ACA sanctioned activities.
CWSAA All Areas Pass – Important Deadline: August 8th
Alpine and Ski Cross athletes in FIS programs born between 2004 and 2008 are on the qualification for this season. Deadline for selection is August 8th so any athlete or FIS traveling coach wanting to qualify for an All Areas Pass must be registered with BC Alpine and then the club registrar needs to submit those requesting passes via the “All Area Passes” registration form found in the BC Alpine Club Admin Login by that date. Cost of the pass this season is $761.25 for athletes and $1522.50 for coaches.
In order to qualify all applicants must both be registered as well as complete the appropriate CWSAA Waiver found on the link below. Failure to do either of these steps by the deadline may result in ineligibility.
Congratulations to the winners of the “Drive to Win” fundraiser raffle. Colleen Chow, of Vancouver, is the winner of the grand prize, a shiny new 2024 Porsche Cayenne!
All Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance and Sport Accident Insurance Policy (SAIP) purchased during the 2023/2024 season will expire as of July 1st 2024. Because of this, all insurance must be renewed for anyone participating in summer programs on or before this date. To make this transition easier BC Alpine will be accepting early registrations for the 2025 season as of June 15, 2023. Clubs running summer programs must have their registrations for both coaches and participants completed before the summer programs get underway.
Increased Membership Fees – BC Alpine
For the 2024/25 season, BC Alpine has increased its membership fees by 4% to account for inflation. The BC Alpine Board of Directors has also approved a $2 per member fee to subsidize the costs associated with reporting through our Safe Sport mechanism and the independent third party handling all complaints. Distributing the fee to all members ensures BC Alpine clubs and individual members are not deterred from utilizing the reporting system due to financial constraints. Alpine Canada have also increased their membership fees by an average of 8.6% (varies by category). Influencing factors for this increase include inflation, cost of providing service and enhanced programming (SnowStars).
You can’t purchase a FIS card or membership directly from BC Alpine. In order to be a member, you must register through one of our member clubs. A full list of current clubs and their contact information can be found at https://bcalpine.com/contact/
We are pleased to announce our plans to again host the BC Alpine Member Summit, Coach Meetings and Annual General Meeting at the beautiful Sun Peaks Grand Hotel and Conference Center, Friday, October 25 to Sunday, October 27, 2024.
Please save these dates! Everyone is welcome and it’s free to attend (not including transportation and accommodation).
Stay tuned for lots more information, agenda details and sign-up instructions, etc. in the next couple of months.
We look forward to seeing you in the fall, have a great summer 🙂
It is that time of year – award season! This is a great opportunity for us all to recognize the extraordinary talent and work ethic of the ski racers across the province. See below for detail on the Athlete Award categories for 2024.
1. Dave Murray Bursary
Award: $750.00 (two bursaries)
Criteria: Awarded to two BC athletes based on the following:
Financial need.
Athletic ability / Sportsmanship / Leadership.
Recommendation to BC Alpine by coach or other club representative.
Priority given to U19 level athletes.
About the Award: Founded in 1987 by friends of Dave Murray after a fundraiser
*Awarded to one athlete OR $250 each to one male and one female athlete
Criteria
U16 level athletes only
Financial need
Potential to rise to the top of ski racing in Canada
Recommendation to BC Alpine by coach or other club representative
About the Award: The Ski Canada Bursary is available for not-for-profit ski organizations and groups across Canada.
Application/Nomination: Submit via BC Alpine Website http://bcalpine.com/awards/. Selection BC Alpine awards committee makes final selection for this award
4. Cary Mullen Award
Criteria: This athlete has displayed the most sportsmanlike conduct
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 2023-24 ski season.
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: