Whistler hosts chilly FIS BC Cup and Parsons Memorial

by BCAadmin | Mar 1, 2023 | Member News

The Whistler Mountain Ski Club welcomed FIS athletes from around BC, Alberta and south of the border, February 20-24, for a week of speed, GS and slalom racing. It was a great warmup for the upcoming Nor-Am Finals running on the same tracks in March.

Monday and Tuesday saw a super-G speed camp run by the FIS coaches, allowing the racers to get ‘up to speed’ before race day. On Wednesday, just in time for the 43rd running of the Bob Parsons Memorial speed race, temperatures dropped to -15 and the winds picked up, making for a chilly day for racers and volunteers. Two super-G races ran on Wednesday with the athletes starting at the top of Raven and finishing at the bottom of the Dave Murray National Training Center (DMNTC).

The Parsons trophy was awarded by Griffin Parsons to the top male and female racer across both super-G races. Congratulations to WMSC athlete Felix Shorter and Okanagan Ski Team athlete Jasmine Coubrough for taking the wins and being added to the prestigious Parsons trophy!

On Thursday, temperatures dipped even further, and the winds got stronger for the longest GS race on this year’s calendar. The athletes ran from the top of Club 21 to the bottom of the DMNTC, taking almost 1 minute, and 30 seconds to complete the course, compared to sub-1-minute runs at most venues. The long, steep, icy course took its toll on the field.

The sun came out Friday for a beautiful, cold and sunny Whistler day to run the slalom. The DMNTC offered up another challenging course down the sunset pitch to the bottom of the training center.

A big thank you to all the volunteers, especially those that put in 3 or more days mid-week to get this race off. Mid-week races are challenging for volunteer numbers, and those that came out really shouldered the load, executing the race with half the volunteers normally out for a weekend U12/U14/U16 event. Also, a big thank you to the Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club and Vancouver Ski Team parents who came out in numbers to help fill volunteer positions, including some of the ROC positions.

Race Recap submitted by Blanca de la Rosa, Whistler Mountain Ski Club

Special BC Club program: Custom KARBON uniforms (deadline soon!)

by BCAadmin | Feb 22, 2023 | Member News

There’s no question that Karbon has some of the finest and best quality uniforms out there! Just look at the BC Ski Team above (also check out the Quebec and Alberta ski teams). The Karbon gear is second to none …. and is now available for BC Alpine clubs to customize and make your order for the 2023-24 ski season.

The deadline is fast approaching so act quickly!

In addition, the Karbon Race Catalogue is available to download at the link below. If your club could like to book a showing, contact: info@karbon.com

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: See the best of the best at Whistler Nor-Am Finals

by BCAadmin | Feb 21, 2023 | Member News

The Whistler Mountain Ski Club will be hosting the 2022-23 NorAm Finals in a few short weeks! We need all hands on deck to provide the best race series possible! We will be hosting the top racers from North America, and some will be racing for World Cup spots for next season. Let’s provide these racers with the best race on the circuit.

Please join us for the course prep days, Thursday March 16 to Sunday March 19th, and of course any or all of the race days! We will find something for everyone, on hill and off hill!

Event Schedule:

• Tuesday, March 21 – Downhill Training
• Wednesday, March 22 – Downhill Training
• Thursday, March 23 – DH Race
• Friday, March 24 – DH Race
• Saturday, March 25 -SG Race
• Sunday, March 26 – SG Race
• Monday, March 27 – GS Race
• Tuesday, March 28 – SL Race

We have great support for this event from the Whistler Weasel Workers. Let’s get the rest of the race community in BC out to lend a hand. There will be plenty of social time, a little bit of swag and volunteer tickets for those who need them.

There are two easy ways to sign up. Send an email to NorAMs@wmsc.info or click the button below to volunteer.

TECK RECAP: Coast U14s push through fickle weather at Grouse GS/SL

by BCAadmin | Feb 16, 2023 | Member News

Hosted by Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club, the Coast Zone Teck Series race took place at Grouse Mountain Resort on February 10 and 11, 2023, with 43 women and 77 men signed up to compete in giant slalom and slalom race events. (PHOTO above by Jirka Vanourek, Blue Rabbit Photography – Nathaniel Hung, Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club)

Athletes from Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Cypress Ski Club, Mt Washington Ski Club, Mt Seymour Ski Club, and Sasquatch Mountain Ski Club joined the Grouse Tyee for two days of racing in very challenging weather conditions. In spite of rapidly changing weather, from hail to rain to fog, athletes persevered. One parent reported that athletes could only see two gates at a time during the foggy spells!

On Friday, spectators were delighted to see the entire width of the Deliverance run at Grouse Mountain converted into a GS course, making the event extra special to watch.

Race Report submitted by Felicia Lo, Grouse Tyee Communications Chair

Thank you to the many volunteers, coaches, and sponsors who worked so hard to make this event come together successfully. Congratulations also to all the athletes on racing in “classic Grouse” conditions.

Race Organizing Committee

• Technical Delegate: Russell Kirby
• Chief of Race: John Irish
• Race Admin: Lauren Eder
• Chief of Course: Tim Schafer
• Chief of Timing: Justin Dowdeswell
• Tyee Race Chair: Jonathan Larson

Athlete Photos

Thank you to the photographers who volunteered to take some amazing photos!

• Kevin Chan’s photos from U14 Teck SL race
• Jirka Vanourek (Blue Rabbit Photography)’s photos from U14 Teck GS race

Community Service Recovery Fund: Grant opportunity for BC Alpine Clubs

by BCAadmin | Feb 15, 2023 | Member News

Application deadline is February 21, 2023!

The Community Services Recovery Fund is a $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support Community Service Organizations as they focus on how to adapt their organizations for COVID-19 pandemic recovery. Now more than ever, Community Service Organizations are playing a key role in addressing persistent and complex social problems faced by all communities. The purpose of the Community Services Recovery Fund is to strengthen the internal capacity of Community Service Organizations facing immediate and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Project Focus Areas:

• Investing in people – Funding will support one-time projects that focus on how organizations recruit, retain, engage and support their personnel, including staff, volunteers and board of directors. See project examples on page 10 in in Application Guide linked below.

• Investing in systems and process – Funding will support one-time projects that invest in the systems and processes involved in creating the internal working of an organizations overall structure. See project examples on page 10 in Application Guide linked below.

• Investing in program and service innovation and redesign – Funding will support one-time projects primarily focused on program and service innovation and redesign using information gained during the COVID-19 pandemic. See project examples on page 11 in Application Guide linked below.