First ever, BEST ever, BC Alpine Girls Fast Forward Camp 2018 at Sun Peaks

by Kathy Stahr | Dec 13, 2018 | Member News

And what an undertaking it was! No one was turned away, all U16 girls in BC were welcome and 56 attended this memorable 4-day camp-of-a-lifetime! It happened December 6 to 9 at Sun Peaks Resort and attendees were treated to super-star all-female coaching, guest speakers, workshops and lots and lots of skiing (GS and SL). Every day finished with a fun run – there was a human slalom 62 people long and a 56 girl synchro competition! . "Why I Ski" Word Cloud (right) – from the athletes

"Watching the athletes come together and get more comfortable challenging themselves and pushing out of their comfort zones was a very powerful experience," said Molyneux, one of the key organizers. "We encouraged them take ownership of their own skiing, understand what they were working on and why it was important. Thank you to BC Alpine – their support and vision to create an inclusive and affordable camp did not go unnoticed. As a province we have raised the bar!"

GFF Camp Values (as written by the athletes) – Maximize (be present); Willingness (be open); Dedication; Determination; Helpfulness; Friendliness; Energetic; Positivity; Inclusivness, Passion; Teamwork; Hard Work; Send it!

Chanel Leger, 2nd year U16 Fernie Alpine Ski Team racer summed it up when she said,"best camp ever! it was so empowering working with strong girls and women to become a better athlete and to build friendships!" 

Athlete participants were asked "what was the most important lesson you learned at GFF?":

• "Support for each other. We are all out here to try our best and the support of a team or group makes it that much more enjoyable and pushes you to work hard."
• "Whatever you want to achieve comes from your own hard work and is all in your control."
• "It’s important to listen and recover your body properly before putting it through physical and mental experiences."
• "That you are in control of yourself and your actions, it is up to you to become the skier and person you want to become."
• "I learned the most important lessons off the hill. Ways to deal with nerves and preparation for yourself. I really liked the saying pressure is a privilege."
• "I learned that to become a better skier, you need to be in tune to your mind and how you’re feeling, because the majority of the sport is mental."

Final message to the athletes from the GFF coaches: The GFF coaching crew would like to send a Giant THANK YOU to all the athletes for being open and accepting. We encourage you to use any and all of us coaches as tools and resources throughout your journey in sport and beyond, whenever you need us! You all worked hard and challenged yourselves in a variety of ways. Remember that through your hard work and perseverance you have earned your right to play and be where you are – enjoy it and continue to grow!

Thank you to these amazing female coaches for their hard work, energy, creativity and commitment to this unique and important initiative: 

• Katie Findlay – Program Director at Revelstoke Ski Club, teacher and outdoor educator
• Montana Molyneux – U16 coach at Fernie Alpine Ski Team, Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach
• Britt Janyk – Olympian and Canadian Alpine Ski Team Member, 15 x National Champion
• Danielle Robson – Coached Women's National Development Team, is a strength and conditioning coach and owner of Fall Line Fitness
• Sarah Culver – Whistler Mountain Ski Club U16 coach, Nutrition Consultant
• Samantha Fournier – U14 head coach at Sun Peaks Alpine Club, Respiratory Therapist
• Emma Fyfe – U12 coach at Fernie Alpine Ski Team

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO ON FACEBOOK 

This camp was a dream that could not have happened without the help of these supporters:

• Timberwolf T&C INC – Sponsor for the GFF headbands
• Rugged Conditioning – Sponsored the Saturday Night Speaker Session
• BC Alpine's Roger Carry – Cinematography and social media posts
• Black Beaver Athletics – Donated gym space for our Squat Workshop
• Sun Peaks Alpine Club – On-hill support
• Sun Peaks Resort – On hill support
• Calvin from Cahilty Creek Hotel – Yoga room hook up
• Jil Forbes, owner of Dimensional Wellness – recovery talk and yoga/stretch session. Best quote "Your body is like a race ski – it needs to be tuned!"
• Stef Fleck, CAST (women's speed) joined via Skype – Q&A on her path to the national team
• Hilary Spires, owner of Rugged Conditioning Training and Trail Running Women podcast spoke about being a multi-sport athlete and mental preparation. Starting with a NCAA hockey scholarship, to her first MMA fight and running 50km+ trail races
• Britt Janyk talked about nerves in the start gate, high pressure races and the importance of having a team around you. Best quote "Pressure is a privilege"

Prestige Hotels & Resorts; The Hotel of Choice for BC Alpine and its Members

by Kathy Stahr | Dec 10, 2018 | Member News

"Prestige Hotels and Resorts is proud to have locations in many BC ski towns including Nelson, Rossland, Golden, Radium, Smithers, Vernon and Kelowna. Conveniently located minutes from popular ski destinations as well as downtown fun, our hotels and inns offer comfortable and warm accommodations for relaxing after a long day on the slopes. We offer full-service properties with on-site restaurants and lounges, indoor pools and hot tubs, and provide cozy common areas where guests can gather and prepare for their day’s adventure.  We invite all BC Alpine Members to experience the unique brand of hospitality that Prestige Hotels and Resorts offer, and take advantage of discounted rates made available through our partnership." ~ Amy Nunn, Executive Director of Sales and Marketing, Prestige Hotels & Resorts 

Not only will you benefit from discounted rates when you stay at any Prestige Hotel in BC, but you will be supporting BC Alpine programs at the same time! We will receive a 5% rebate for every guest room booked – don't forget to mention BC Alpine Ski Association!

Click HERE to see the special room rates being offered to BC Alpine members until April 30, 2019

"We're excited to partner with Prestige Hotels & Resorts," said BC Alpine CEO Anders Hestdalen. "We encourage everyone to check out one of their beautiful locations this winter. The price is right and you can feel good about helping BC Alpine at the same time!"

Exclusive Holliday Gift, Ride GranFondo Whistler 2019 with National Team Alumni

by Kathy Stahr | Dec 7, 2018 | Member News

This holiday, offer a gift to remember a lifetime! 

Gran Fondo Whistler 2019 – Space is limited!

On September 7, 2019, Alpine Ski Team alumni Rob Boyd (CAST 1985-1997), Britt Janyk (CAST 1997-2011), and Diana Arn-Haight (CAST 1980-1987) invite you or your friend to live an experience of a lifetime.

The $2,000 ultimate GranFondo bike ride includes:

1. Ride alongside Ski Team alumni
2. Alta Class status in the GranFondo Vancouver to Whistler (choice to ride the 55km, 122km or 152km)
3. Alpine Canada bike jersey
4. Express package pickup service at VeloSpoke
5. Exclusive priority startline – be first over the Lions Gate Bridge
6. Event day bag check
7. Alta Classe lounge at the finish with complimentary hot meal and beverages included
8. Invitation to intimate Thursday night reception at St. Regis Bar & Grill
9. Post ride massage by certified massage therapists from The Spa at Nita Lake Lodge
10. Invitation to Friday afternoon pre-ride in Vancouver with other celebrity guests
11. Exclusive gifts and offers from premium event sponsors
12. Post ride get together at the Whistler Mountain Ski Club
13. Pride to support ski racing in Canada!
14. Eligible for a $1,000 donation tax receipt
15. For more information about the GranFondo, CLICK HERE

    CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT OR OFFER IT AS A GIFT TODAY
     

    For more information about this initiative contact:

    Marie-Hélène (M&H) Thibeault (CAST '97-'98)
    Director, Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement
    Alpine Canada Alpin
    mthibeault@alpinecanada.org

ViaSport Grants – Coaches BC Legacy Grant & Northern BC Coaching Fund

by Kathy Stahr | Nov 23, 2018 | Member News

Coaches BC Legacy Grants  

The Coaches BC Legacy Fund was set up in 2013 with the goal of encouraging more community level coaches to become involved, to further their education, and to receive training and/or certification. As a result, four coach grant categories have been created to assist provincial sport organizations, community clubs and coach developers. Eligible applicants are invited to apply with the intent of utilizing/distributing it to coach developers as grants ranging from $100- $600.

Please note that although you can apply for up to $600, the current pot of money does not allow us to award the full $600 in every category. Funds are limited, and therefore, careful consideration should be taken to the need and impact of the funding before applying.
 

Northern BC Coaching and Officiating Development Fund  

The Northern BC Coaching and Officiating Development Fund is a localized initiative, supported in part by the Northern Sport Strategy, created to provide support for coaching and officiating development leading up to the 2015 Canada Winter Games and beyond. Recipients of this grant can use the funding to reduce the cost of their training and/or certification courses, in turn helping to increase accessibility to coaching and officiating development.

Who can apply?

Community groups who:

• are not-for-profit organizations, located in a northern community within BC  Games Zones 7 or 8

• are a member in good standing of an appropriate provincial sport organization or working in partnership with an appropriate provincial organization

Or

Provincial sport organizations who:

• are hosting a coaching or officiating course in a northern community located within BC  Games Zones 7 or 8 

Or

Individuals who:

• permanently reside in a northern community located within BC Games Zones 7 or 8

• are endorsed by their respective sport organization or association to pursue training, mentoring or certification opportunities and will use this training to the benefit of their local community

BC Alpine announces 2018/19 BC Ski Team – athlete photos and bios posted!

by Kathy Stahr | Nov 22, 2018 | Member News

BC Alpine is pleased to introduce the three men and three women being named to the 2018/19 BC Ski Team. With five returning members and one rookie, this small but mighty group of six is looking forward to gaining experience and achieving results on the Nor-Am circuit, as well as making a strong showing at Canadian Nationals. 

• Myles Kowalczyk, Whistler Mountain Ski Club – 2000
• Kyle Alexander, Whistler Mountain Ski Club – 1999
• Marcus Athans, Apex Ski Club/Okanagan Ski Team – 2000
• Francis MacDonald, Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club – 1999
• Nicole Mah, Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club – 1999
• Ella Renzoni, Whistler Mountain Ski Club – 2000

BC Alpine Coaches Cup event kicks of 2018-19 season at Sun Peaks Resort

by Kathy Stahr | Nov 22, 2018 | Member News

Racing got off to a flying start this week in Sun Peaks. With a ton of support from the Sun Peaks Alpine Club and Sun Peaks Resort, BC Alpine hosted its 2nd annual FIS Coaches Cup event. We believe this was the first race held in North America for the 2018-19 season. It is also the first time in Canadian history that an ROC has been able to successfully complete two full 2-run FIS races for each gender in one day! This has never been done before and may change the way we run races in North America.

The field consisted of over 150 competitors from 10 different countries – Canada, USA, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Switzerland and Spain. Now officially a tradition at this event, winners love landing on the podium to receive the gourmet chocolate, sausage and cheese prizes!

An incredible group of brave and skilled volunteers stepped up to make this extremely ambitious race format possible. BC Alpine wishes to thank Tammy Anderson, Assistant Timer; Bruce Holliday, Chief of Course; Alain Cordonier, Course Worker; Beckett Hooton, Course Worker; Clark Hooton, Course Worker; Duncan Currie, Course Worker; Garry van Soest, Course Worker; Kieran Gaul, Course Worker; Liam Applegath, Course Worker; Murray Smith, Course Worker; Yuro Ihns, Course Worker; Daimion Applegath, Course Worker; Brad Keats, Finish Referee; Sandy Kersey, Hand Timer; Karyn Molder, Hand Timer; Sandy Holliday, Race Admin; Christina van Soest, Start Referee; Barb Kupferschmidt, Starter;  Gavin Friskie, Timing; Keven Dubinsky, Chief of Timing AND last, but not least, Chief or Race extrordinaire Graham Cope! 

"I really enjoy the camaraderie among coaches, athletes and officials at this event, said Cope. "With an ambitious schedule of two races per day, everyone has to work together, and the growing race entry is proof of its popularity with coaches and athletes. "

Photo (left) is Men's first slalom podium – Devin Mittertriener (WVSC) finished 3rd overall behind USA's Patrick Kenney and Logan Slattery. 

Photo (below) are BC Ski Team athletes Ella Renzoni (1st in the second GS) and Nicole Mah (2nd in the second GS) along with Charlotte Townshend from USA who finished 3rd.