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:
Once again the Red Mountain Racers and RED Mountain Resort teamed up to produce a spectacular series of ski races, first with the 2024 Teck Canadian Championships, followed by the BC Cup Spring Series. There was tremendous excitement about hosting the national championships at RED as teams started to arrive for training March 16th, with over 200 athletes in attendance.
The theme for these events was the History of Ski Racing. A very fitting theme, as RED celebrated the 56th anniversary of the first World Cup race ever held in North America (held here in Rossland in 1968 and attended by 7,000 people). That first North American World Cup was won by our own Nancy Greene and France’s Jean Claude Killy.
The opening ceremonies for the national championships featured an athlete and sponsor parade culminating in Rossland’s historic downtown. Opening remarks were delivered by Andy Morel, Mayor of Rossland, Thompson Hickey, Teck, Mike McDowell, Red Mountain Racers, and by Alpine Canada.
Rossland and Red Mountain have a very proud history of ski racing dating back to the first Canadian Championships (then called the Dominion Championships) held 126 years ago here. Historic banners lined Rossland streets and the base lodge at RED throughout the event. In addition, the Rossland Museum launched their new digital display “Gold Mining to Gold Medals: A Century of Ski Racing in Rossland”
Volunteers worked tirelessly over the course of 8 days of competition in order to provide the best track possible for these two back to back events. Mother Nature supplied some challenging weather with daytime highs of up to 17 degrees for two of the 8 days. The salt and watering program, led by Johnny Crichton, was successful and spectators were rewarded with some incredible racing.
For those fortunate enough to line the race course watching national team racers such as Cassidy Gray and Sarah Bennett in action was a real thrill. With the nationals being held here in the Kootenay’s there was additional excitement in the air when Jamie Casselman claimed the title of 2024 GS national champion. For athletes and spectators of all ages watching this field of incredibly talented competitors, some of the best in the world, was nothing short of inspiring. A week for us all to remember.
The Red Mountain Racers ROC would like to congratulate each of the athletes on their success and wish everyone the very best as they round out their season!
The Red Mountain Racers and RED Mountain Resort were honoured to host the 2024 U14 Provincial Championships march 29th–31st. It was so much fun to watch the future of ski racing in BC compete on the historic slopes of RED Mountain. These athletes were impressive not only in their ability to carve a mean line on a tough course but in their consistent word of thanks to the many volunteers that made it all happen. This is a tremendous compliment to coaches and parents alike.
As we always say, ski racing teaches so much more than the ability to rip a tight line. That said, these athletes certainly demonstrated their ability to do just that.
On the third day of racing the athletes competed in a team dual event. The teams were comprised of athletes from across BC and were designed to be as evenly matched as possible. Red Mountain Racer, COR, Mike McDowell dedicated many hours to developing the dual format and calculating the most balanced teams possible. We look forward to hosting many more duals using his technique.
Congratulations to each of the athletes competing in the 2024 TECK U14 Provincial Championships! We would also like to make a special mention to Nikita Ciesla, of Grouse Mountain who secured the top of the podium in both Slalom and Giant Slalom events and to her team mate Eames Kim who duplicated this feat on the men’s course.
Wishing everyone the best as they head off to the final events of the season and we look forward to seeing you in Smithers for the 2025 TECK U14 Provincial Championships!
Photos from the event were taken by Jirka Vanourek, Blue Rabbit Photography, Lesley Chisholm and Samantha Duess Photography. Please find links below to all of the event photography:
The Vernon Ski Club (VSC) hosted the Okanagan Zone Finals from April 6-7 at SilverStar Mountain Resort, much to the pleasure of all the participants.
A total of 97 racers from across the zone from U12-U16 competed in GS and SL races on the “backside” of the mountain. Athletes and coaches were treated to early gondola loads and warm up runs in the sunshine on the frontside, before moving to the back of the mountain for inspection and races.
VSC was excited at the opportunity to host the race “Gypsy Queen” all season. The run is a perfect pitch and terrain for both GS and slalom. Thanks to the hard work of coaches and volunteers, the surface held up well, despite warmer than normal temperatures.
Saturday’s GS had the U14/U16 field ripping down a long and steep course with the U12s starting lower down. There were many great local results for the GS, including a top 3 sweep by VSC U14 Men athletes. Congratulations team!
Sunday was all about slalom and the surface was solid leading to some fabulous results. Again, saw a top 3 sweep – this time in the U12 girl’s by SunPeaks Racers – well done! A yummy BBQ lunch was served to vollies and athletes at the top of the run by our hardworking volunteers.
A few special thanks you: To our sweet U8 & U10 forerunners who showed the U12s how it is done, and our VSC alumni FIS athletes who returned to forerun the U14/16 course both days – thank you! To our VSC and visiting parents who spent long days on the course slipping, shoveling, salting, photographing, and keeping everything on time – Great Job! And as always, to our Race Organizing Committee, Program Director and SSMR for the endless hours of planning, hauling gear and course prep – thank you!
And lastly – to those athletes, parents and coaches who stayed until the bitter end to tear down a big set up on this very last day of the season – amazing work! The tear down was done in record time allowing everyone to get back to the village for apres and awards. VSC looks forward to hosting events and seeing everyone again next season!
