The ACA Podium Pathway is our integrated roadmap for building world champions. Based on ACA's Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model, this system defines a clear trajectory to success at the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, and World Championships.
The pathway is driven by the Gold Medal Profile (GMP), a framework that ensures a consistent, fair, and transparent path to victory. The GMP builds champions by:
- Setting Clear Targets: Defining the essential qualities and non-negotiable performance standards for a champion.
- Evaluating Performance: Measuring athletes against objective benchmarks.
- Identifying Talent: Pinpointing emerging athletes for the National Team.
- Guiding Selection: Providing a clear basis for team selection.
Athletes who meet the rigorous benchmarks set by the Podium Results Track (PRT) and the GMP are identified as having Podium Potential, confirming they are on a proven track for elite success at the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, and World Championships.
Alpine Canada's Gold Medal Profile is founded on five pillars that strike a balance between high performance and athlete health and well-being. The entire framework reflects the organization's commitment to "Winning Well," which involves achieving success while protecting the health, integrity, and passion of its athletes.
- Competition Performance: Delivering results that meet world-class standards.
- Technical | Tactical Performance: Mastering skiing skills and on-course decision-making.
- Physical Performance: Encompassing an athlete's strength, power, stamina, and resilience.
- Mental Performance: Focusing on mindset, confidence, adaptability, and overall mental health to sustain well-being and performance.
- Lifestyle Performance: Balancing the demands of sport with academics, health, and integrity.
Competition Performance
Excel Under Pressure
This pillar builds the race-day awareness and mental resilience required to perform consistently when the stakes are highest—from the NorAm Cup to the Olympic Winter Games. We train ski racers to excel under pressure while upholding the highest standards of sportsmanship and integrity.
Measuring the Path to Victory
An athlete's progression is measured against clear, world-class benchmarks to ensure they are prepared for the rigorous demands of international racing.
ACA's Major Games Curves illustrate the progression of results and rankings that are directly connected to an athlete's podium potential. This tool is used to evaluate competition performance and establish clear standards for advancement along ACA's Podium Pathway.
Project Excel Major Games Curves - Performance Results Tracking (PRT)
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A Guide, Not a Guarantee
We recognize that every athlete’s journey to the podium is unique. The Major Games Curves serve as a guide to encourage excellence, not a rigid guarantee of success. Athletes who fall short at one stage have the opportunity to re-align through focused training, strategic adjustments, and perseverance.
Technical | Tactical Performance
Success in ski racing demands precision, adaptability, and strategic awareness. This pillar focuses on mastering skiing techniques and strategies to excel in varied race conditions. Athletes are trained to combine core technique mastery with smart tactical decisions, allowing them to adapt to changing courses, conditions, and terrain at major international competitions.
Defining Excellence
Athletes are assessed on their ability to:
- Execute technical skills with efficiency and consistency.
- Adjust tactical approaches to meet the demands of different competition environments.
- Perform confidently under pressure at the highest levels of the sport.
These skills are formally assessed starting at the U14 and U16 levels using the ACA Skills Combine before athletes transition to FIS competition.
The Competitive Edge
Photo: Mat LoyolaPurposeful, innovative training enables athletes to deliver performances on demand while minimizing the risks of overexertion and burnout. By mastering technical and tactical skills, ski racers are equipped to adapt, excel, and compete with confidence on the international stage.
Physical Performance
Ski racing places significant internal and external forces on the body , and a strong physical foundation is essential to tolerate the high training loads required for achieving international success. This pillar focuses on building the strength, endurance, and resilience athletes need to perform consistently and safely at the highest level. The goal is to follow a periodized training plan that maintains stamina throughout demanding ski seasons.
Measuring What Matters
Athlete development is tracked using the ACA Fitness Combine Performance Standards, a nationwide testing system that monitors ski-specific fitness at all stages of the pathway. This data helps identify strengths, performance gaps, and long-term trends by assessing:
- Aerobic Endurance (VO2Max and stamina)
- Muscular Strength (dynamic function)
- Muscular Endurance (the ability to sustain performance under load)
- Power, agility, balance, and coordination
The Foundation for Success
Physical literacy and strong movement patterns developed from a young age are critical for both acquiring technical skills and preventing injuries. An athlete’s fitness level directly influences their ability to handle training volumes and progress successfully. By standardizing testing and emphasizing year-round preparation—including complementary sports—Alpine Canada ensures athletes build the robust physical foundation needed for lifelong success.
Mental Performance
This pillar cultivates the self-discipline, focus, and mental resilience needed to meet the challenges of high-stakes competition. We equip athletes with the tools for self-regulation and performance under pressure, while safeguarding their psychological well-being, recognizing that mental health is a critical foundation for both elite performance and quality of life.
A Framework for Excellence
Alpine Canada utilizes the Gold Medal Profile for Sport Psychology (GMP-SP), a research-based framework that identifies 11 key mental performance competencies across three core areas:
- Fundamental Competencies: Building motivation, confidence, and resilience.
- Self-Regulation Competencies: Mastering self-awareness, stress management, emotional control, and attention.
- Interpersonal Competencies: Fostering leadership, teamwork, communication, and strong athlete-coach relationships.
The Winning Difference
Strong mental performance empowers athletes to stay composed in high-pressure environments, such as World Cup finals, effectively manage stress and emotions, build trusting relationships with coaches and teammates, and protect their mental health throughout their careers.
By developing these skills, ski racers are empowered to thrive not just in competition but in all aspects of their athletic journey.
Lifestyle Performance
Performance Beyond the Slopes
This pillar supports a balanced and healthy approach to life, enabling athletes to meet the demands of elite sport while maintaining their well-being and integrity. The objective is to cultivate a strong work ethic while maintaining a healthy balance between athletic, academic, and personal life. Athletes are encouraged to manage their time and energy effectively while promoting ethical conduct and individual accountability.
A Champion's Habits
Lifestyle performance is measured by an athlete’s ability to:
- Balance training, competition, academics, and personal life.
- Prioritize nutrition, recovery, and rest to sustain long-term health.
- Uphold ethical standards and integrity in all aspects of sport and life.
- Demonstrate responsibility and strong work habits in daily routines.
The Foundation for Sustainable Success
A well-balanced lifestyle provides the foundation for sustainable performance. Athletes who integrate healthy habits are more resilient, motivated, and prepared to handle the challenges of high-performance sport.
By supporting athletes both on and off the hill, Alpine Canada ensures that success is achieved in a way that fosters well-being, ethical conduct, and a lifelong passion for ski racing.