Canadians invited to take part in special events and community celebrations

Calgary, Alta. (July 18, 2019) – With only 100 days to go before the FIS alpine season-opening World Cup races in Soelden, Austria, Alpine Canada is unveiling its plans to celebrate 100 years of Canadian ski racing history through the 2019-20 season.

Canadian ski racing officially began under the umbrella of the Canadian Amateur Ski Association, which was incorporated on Dec. 20, 1920.  The 100th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the country’s rich history and tradition of excellence in ski racing during both the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.

“We wanted to create very special opportunities that allow the nation and the Canadian ski community to come together to recognize the past as well as honour our current generation of athletes who are representing the Maple Leaf in alpine, para-alpine, and ski cross competitions around the world,” said Vania Grandi, Alpine Canada’s CEO. “We’re inviting all Canadians, and the international ski community to join us in these celebrations.”

The 100th Anniversary celebrations will kick off in November with an opportunity for fans to meet this year’s national team athletes in person at fundraising galas in Toronto (Nov. 6) and Montreal (Nov. 7), where some of the sport’s most recognizable names will gather alongside the new crop of alpine, para-alpine, and ski cross athletes for an unforgettable evening that allows attendees to mingle with the best of the past and present of Canadian ski racing. Celebrating both high-performance and grassroots ski racing, the 2019 winners of the Audi Canadian Ski Racing Awards presented by Helly Hansen will be presented at the galas.

Canadian Alpine Ski Team alumnus and artist Patrick Biggs of Ottawa, Ont., is already hard at work to create a painting that will be auctioned at the November gala in Toronto. Pulling from his experience as a two-time Olympian and nine-year member of the national team, as well as his family’s deep roots in the sport, high-quality reprints of Biggs’ final piece will also be available for online purchase in limited quantities.

“I’m very honoured. Skiing has been such an important part of my life, and it runs deep through multiple generations of my family that have developed this love for skiing,” said Biggs who traces his family’s passion for the sport back to his grandparents. “I think skiing is so important and being able to celebrate that and contribute by bringing a spotlight on some of these incredible people who were part of shaping that history is really cool.”

In Western Canada, exclusive VIP ski experiences are being developed to allow Canadians an opportunity to get an up-close and unique view of the World Cup race action at the Lake Louise Winterstart Audi FIS Alpine speed races, and at the Audi FIS Freestyle Ski Cross World Cup’s Canadian stop at Nakiska.

Commemorating both Canada’s ski racing centennial and the 10th Anniversary of the last Olympic and Paralympic Games hosted on Canadian snow, Whistler, B.C., will play host to a celebration with 2010 medallists such as Ashleigh McIvor and Lauren Woolstencroft.

Packages will be developed for this season’s combined alpine and ski cross Canadian championships in Panorama, B.C., in the spring of 2020. Canada’s national team alpine and ski cross athletes will head to Beautiful British Columbia to close out the 2019-20 season and vie for national titles alongside the up-and-coming crop of provincial racers looking to make their mark on the nation’s ski racing community, providing an excellent opportunity for fans to see this year’s World Cup heroes in action and catch a glimpse at the nation’s prospects in the sport. 

All net proceeds from the two gala events, artwork sales, and all VIP packages will go towards supporting Canada’s national team programs.

Apparel line developed to celebrate 100th

Canadians don’t have to wait for the fall to get in on the 100th Anniversary celebrations. A special line of anniversary apparel is available now at Alpine Canada’s online store. The retro collection’s items give a nod to tradition without compromising on today’s fashion and comfort, with new pieces set to be added throughout the next few months.

Similar nods to tradition – including a return of the yellow on the Alpine Canada emblem – will be spotted on national alpine, para-alpine, and ski cross athletes when they hit the start gate for the 2019-20 season.

“We expect the exclusive and limited retro collection will appeal to many ski enthusiasts across the country,” said Steve Wallace, Alpine Canada’s chief commercial officer, of the first wave of anniversary merchandise. “With today’s unveiling of the 100th Anniversary logo, we encourage fans to keep an eye on our online shop for more apparel options throughout the season.”

To learn more about the opportunities to take part in the 100th Anniversary events and support Canada’s national team racers, please visit AlpineCanada.org/events. More information on how to contribute to the organization’s quest to raise one million Aeroplan Miles can also be found on the site.

100th Anniversary Launch Video

Follow Alpine Canada on social media for the latest news and information on athletes and more: 

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, AlpineCanada.org.

ABOUT ALPINE CANADA

Alpine Canada is the governing body for alpine, para-alpine and ski cross racing in Canada, as well as for Canadian ski coaches, providing education, certification, insurance and compliance with the coaching code of conduct. With the support of valued corporate partners and donors, along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Coaching Association of Canada, Alpine Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic, World Championship and World Cup athletes to stimulate visibility, inspiration and growth in the ski community. In 2020, Alpine Canada will celebrate 100 years of rich tradition in competitive skiing in Canada.