With the support of many hand warmers packs and a dedicated crew of volunteers and coaches, the 2025 Janyk Cup and Nancy Greene Ski League (NGSL) Skills Event was a big success.
Presented by Hincks French Wealth Management at Odlum Brown, racers and coaches braved the temps which reached minus 15 during the day (-10 at the Garbo Hut). Bu the conditions were well suited for a ski racing event, which featured a glalom, giant slalom and a multi-event skills events.
The skills event feature a friendly competition with plenty of great team spirit. The first day showcased a speed trap & J-turn (where the RCMP loaned a speed gun), moguls, combi, dual slalom, start and skate for U10s, U12s and Whistler-Blackcomb’s RDP U14s. The next day had two different courses to further build skills and challenge the athletes.
Mike Janyk, a local legend and former World Cup racer, reflected on the impact his mother (Andrée) – the namesake of the event – made on the sport.
“The race is not only in honour of our family’s involvement & success in ski racing, but it is also rooted in my Mom’s absolute commitment to volunteerism and love for the sport.”
– Mike Janyk
“She was out, working every event we were in and building community along the way. So along with U12s getting to have fun ski racing, the Janyk Cup also celebrates the volunteers that make it happen. Get out, get involved and have fun in the mountains.”
Whistler Mountain Ski Club coach Emma Moore, said: “The terrain was steep and challenging and all the kids did really well. The first course was technical with tight turns, to ensure the kids could control the speed on the steep terrain…The second course was technical and faster, less icy but developed a few more ruts. Despite the super cold conditions, kids, volunteers, and spectators braved the cold to support the racers. I’m super proud of all the kids!”
The U10 group raced a two-run glalom while the U12s raced one GS race of two combined runs.
The first North Zone Teck Race of the season was hosted by the Lightning Creek Ski Club, at Troll Ski Resort on Jan. 25-26. The weather was fantastic, with big smiles and some great racing at this Teck race. Huge thanks to Troll Ski Resort for providing the flexibility and extra grooming to the venue, and to the athletes and clubs that came to race at the resort.
Falko Kadenbach, the Lightning Creek Ski Club President sent in the following informative and insightful race report.
“We were delighted to host a race after several events fell off last season. Glen Boudreau, our Chief of Course, said, “With less snow, we need to be more flexible and dynamic in our venue options when we don’t get the snow pack early.” Like many other resorts suffering from less snow accumulation and drier winters, it becomes challenging to stick to race schedules and race venue locations. (continued, below the photo gallery)
The ROC for this race comprised many new-to-role volunteers who took on the positions with professionalism and vigor to ensure that the race would happen despite facing another low snow year. A key part of running any successful club is maintaining and growing the skills and experience to run races successfully. This race was important for us to develop a new generation of volunteers. The North has fewer people, fewer athletes, and greater distances, so it is critical to work together and learn from each other to ensure mutual success and viability as alpine clubs.
In 2023, we expanded our race venue with a GS start building and fixed timing systems on one of the main runs at Troll Ski Resort, The Face. Unfortunately, we have been unable to utilize these facilities in the past few years due to low snow, forcing us to move to higher portions of the mountain where the snow pack is deeper. Sean Seabourne, our long-standing Chief of Timing, said, “The club has a development plan to expand the fixed timing systems to the top of the mountain to reduce setup time for such occasions.”
We are not alone in facing these challenges around the world. Snowmaking is becoming a vital part of many ski resorts’ ability to operate in the early and later seasons. “Troll Ski Resort is currently not able to benefit from snowmaking because BC Hydro has not extended three-phase power to or past the resort,” said Scott Zacharias, Troll Ski Resort’s General Manager. “With the increased mining developments in Wells, BC, we are hopeful to see some increased interest in expanding power to our resort to power our lifts and give us the option to add snowmaking.” Scott went on to explain how this would allow Troll to offer earlier-season skiing to the region.
The resort is also in the midst of doubling its ski terrain with a newly constructed Doppelmayr T-Bar. Jacci Leggett, our Director of Alpine, said, “We love our T-Bars.” Just like that, we are able to run a humble ski club at a ski resort with a street sign that says, “The Best Place on Earth.”
– Skiers for Life! Falko Kadenbach, President, LCSC
This past weekend, the stunning slopes of Mount Washington Alpine Resort served as the ideal venue for the Teck Coast Zone U14 Races, hosted by the Mt. Washington Ski Club (MWSC). The event brought together 131 athletes from six clubs for an exhilarating weekend of alpine ski racing. Ideal conditions—clear blue skies, crisp temperatures, firm snow, and a meticulously prepared track—set the stage for outstanding performances.
Saturday’s GS
The weekend kicked off with GS races that tested racers’ technical skill, stamina, and mental focus. The challenging courses demanded precision, and the athletes rose to the occasion, delivering impressive results.
Podium Results for Saturday’s GS Races
Women:
1st: Amelia PARK (Grouse)
2nd: Della CHILDS (Mt. Washington)
3rd: Natalie USKOSKI (Grouse)
Men:
1st: Jayden CAI (Cypress)
2nd: Olivier COURCELLES (Whistler)
3rd: Jasper DINGLE (Mt. Washington)
Sunday’s Slalom
The excitement carried into Sunday with the Slalom (SL) races. The courses included steeps, undulations, flat sections, and consistently firm snow, pushing athletes to demonstrate their technical ability and adaptability.
Gratitude to sponsors, coaches, volunteers and supporters
The success of this weekend’s races would not have been possible without the generous support and hard work of so many individuals and organizations.
Special thanks to the team at Mount Washington Alpine Resort, led by Mike Manara, for providing world-class facilities and support. The preparation of Whiskey Jack, the resort’s premier race run, was picture-perfect with wall-to-wall corduroy that remained firm and fast throughout the weekend.
We would also like to thank our sponsors:
Teck
Colonial Countertops
Rick Gibson Group | Royal LePage in the Comox Valley
Splashes Bath & Kitchen
Mattenley Group / Scotia Wealth Management
Quality Foods
The Province of British Columbia
A shoutout to the MWSC coaching team—led by Sylvi Nymann, U14 Lead Coach. Sylvi was supported by Mathieu Leduc, Technical Director and Canadian National Ski Team alum, and Cassidy Markham, U14 Coach. Their dedication and expertise inspire our athletes daily.
A huge thanks to the hardworking members of the Race Organizing Committee: Mark Law, Keir Graaten, Norman Blattgerste, Stephen Childs, Kim Gerrow, and David Yule. Your dedication and effort make all the difference!
Special recognition goes to BC Alpine’s Keven Dubinsky for his guidance and support of our ROC as race preparations were undertaken. We are also incredibly grateful to Alpine Canada / BC Alpine Technical Delegate Bob Walton. His professionalism, warm demeanor, and commitment to teamwork ensured a great event.
Finally, a huge thank you to the 100+ volunteers who came together to produce a secure, fair, and thrilling race weekend. To the visiting clubs, thank you for making the adventurous journey across the Salish Sea to Vancouver Island. Your participation and enthusiasm bring energy to every event.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on this great weekend of alpine racing, the Mt. Washington Ski Club eagerly looks forward to hosting the Coast Zone Finals in April. Together, we continue to nurture young athletes’ passion for alpine skiing and competition.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this event’s success. We look forward to seeing you in April—if not sooner!
Michael Dingle Race Chair & Chief of Race
All photos courtesy of: Independent Sports News (ISN), photographer Paul M. Williams
With near-perfect ski racing conditions and a gorgeous backdrop at Panorama Mountain Resort, the Teck season got started in the Kootenays, with U12, U14 and U16 skiers blasting through slalom, GS and Kombi events over three days.
[See photos and results below]
With temps reaching nearly -20C over the weekend and very little snow fall the Old Timer run again did its part to give the racers a good ride. With over 60 volunteers (!) and two ROC’s, the courses held up well.
Racers fought through cold fingers and toes, with U12 starting with slalom, with both genders running at the same time. The first run used the random bib order, and then best of four continuous runs. The U12s then raced on day two on a GS course.
The U14 and U16 skiers ran two GS races back-to-back on the first day and slalom the next.
Another highlight of the event was when the Windermere Valley Ski Club hosted the traditional athlete and coach dinner … a huge thank you goes to the Food and Beverage team at Panorama Mountain Resort for a super yummy dinner!
On the final day of racing, the U12 completed a best of two-run Kombi course and the U14 & U16s completed their third slalom of the weekend.
The WVSC and BC Alpine thank all of the incredible volunteers, as well as the Panorama Mountain Resort staff!
Another massively successful race series in Apex in the books. The four-day technical (GS and slalom) series last weekend had the weather and visibility mostly on its side, while racers age 15 to 18 raced against the clock and each other on both the legendary Old Mill Run and Okanagan Runs at Apex Mountain Resort.
One of the highlights of the event was the continuation of the Random Start Order, a relatively new approach to seeding races which is being tested across Canada. The seeding method includes a randomized approach to bib numbers – as opposed to the traditional method where athletes start based on their national points ranking.
“It’s been hugely successful so far,” said Johnny Crichton, BC Alpine VP. “It’s making the races more exciting and more importantly it replicates race environments that they will encounter as they transition into FIS-level competitions. It gives all athletes a fairer chance at better course conditions.”
Crichton mentioned the recent World Cup top 10 finish by BC Ski Team alumni Brodie Seger at Beaver Creek last month, when he started with bib 49 to finish 10th … and Cameron Alexander in 2023 when he started 63rd and finished 7th at Val Gardena, Italy, on one of the toughest World Cup super-G tracks.
“The system we used in the past has favoured early developers and top performers by allowing them to start on a fresh, well-groomed course, which typically offers better conditions,” Crichton said. “As the race progresses, the course deteriorates, and with limited maintenance after the initial group, it becomes harder, and potentially less safe, for later starters to secure a fair chance at a top 30 result.”
As for the actual racing, Tylee Carr of the Okanagan Ski Team (OST), won both slalom races and finished in second in the first girl’s GS. Upstart U16 racer Elana Deda, of the Windermere Valley Ski Club, had a phenomenal race series, winning both GS races and finishing second in the first slalom.
On the boy’s side, Rowan Smith – also of the OST – won both GS races and finished second behind teammate Takoka Ito in the first slalom race. U16 skier Aksel Larsen, of Grouse-Tyee claimed a slalom win and finished second in the second GS race.
[Link to the full results below]
In the season’s overall standings – which ranks the skier’s best 4 points total with maximum of 3 points from any single discipline – shows clubs from across the province challenging for the lead. Currently Elana Deda leads the girl’s standings, ahed of Valerie Chan, of Grouse-Tyee, and Maggie Cormack, of the Whistler Mountain Ski Club.
On the boy’s side, Hunter Kay, of the Big White Racers, leads the standings, ahead of Aksel Larsen who sits in second, and Bodie Ottem of Sun Peaks Alpine Club in third.
The volunteer crew worked tirelessly to once again deliver a fantastic ski racing series, with the leadership of the Race Organizing Committee:
Chief of Race: Jeff Ellis (SL)
Chief of Race: David Warriner (GS)
Chief of Gates: Michael Johncox
Chief of Course: Martin Parilak and Tom Evans
Chief of Timing: Wally James
Race Administrator: Jenafor Lansel
Chief of Volunteers: Dave Gill
The Apex Ski Club, along with BC Alpine, thanks the Apex Mountain Resort for continuing to be an incredible partner of ski racing in the Okanagan and the province.
It was a beautiful clear day Red Mountain Resort as the Red Mountain Racers hosted the first NG race of the season in the West Kootenays, last Sunday.
A keen and eager large group of youngsters (120!) hit the slopes with big smiles, and some great skiing and ski racing. Teams from Whitewater, Summit Lake, Phoenix and Red Mountain were in attendance for the ever-popular dual GS down Back Trail on Red.
A big thank you to Red Mountain Resort for their assistance with this event and their continued support of the Red Mountain Racers and ski racing in the province!
