Roadmap to Success
The Podium Pathway serves as Alpine Canada's comprehensive roadmap for elite athlete development, guiding ski racers from their first time on snow to the world stage. It is founded on the principles of Alpine Canada's Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD), emphasizing gradual growth and skill mastery with a core philosophy that ski racing is an early-exposure, late-specialization sport.
Alpine Canada's Podium Pathway is divided into three distinct phases, each with specific goals to guide athletes on their path to the podium.
Phase 1: Building the Foundation
GOAL: To foster a lifelong love for the sport of ski racing.
This initial stage focuses on sparking a passion for ski racing in a fun, supportive environment. The primary goal is to develop physical literacy and fundamental skiing techniques, fostering a lifelong love for the sport.
Phase 2: Training to Excel
GOAL: To develop the technical skill, physical power, and mental toughness required to win at the next level.
As athletes progress, the focus shifts to dedicated training and competition to build consistent, high-level performance. This phase focuses on refining technical and tactical skills, with progress monitored through engagement in ACA Project Excel initiatives, Individual Performance Plans (IPPs) and FIS points, ultimately preparing athletes for the next level.
Phase 3: Racing for the Podium
GOAL: To win at the highest level of ski racing.
GEPAThe final phase prepares athletes to compete for medals at elite events, like the Olympics and World Championships. This stage requires total dedication and focuses on refining skills to achieve peak performance, emphasizing Gold Medal Profile attributes like power, agility, and rapid decision-making.
Our Guiding Principles for Success
GEPATo build champions, we believe in a holistic and athlete-centred approach that avoids common pitfalls, such as burnout and injury.
- Prioritize Long-Term Growth: We focus on an athlete's entire career, not just short-term wins.
- Skill Development First: Mastering technique is the foundation of success; winning comes after skills are consolidated.
- Balance is Key: We support both athletic and academic goals, by utilizing intelligent scheduling to balance training, competition, and rest.
- Foster Motivation: We encourage positive experiences and a focus on growth to build resilience and a true passion for excellence.
Alpine Canada's Podium Pathway provides the necessary structure and support for the years of deliberate practice and dedication it takes for an athlete to become a world champion.