In the past few months readers of the Fitzhugh may have noticed some mention of alpine ski racing here and there, and also mention of the local freestyle skiing team. Please take note that while these sports share the commonalities of skis and skiing on a general level, they are two distinct and separate clubs, sports and cultures.

Both are great ambassadors of the ski culture, competition and sport on many levels. But each of these local clubs works very hard within their chosen disciplines to cultivate and promote skiing, sport and healthy competition and therefore deserve credit and distinction on their own.
Our little town of Jasper is stamping its mark in alpine racing in Alberta. In the past few years, the Jasper Ski Team (which is solely an alpine racing club) has been growing, in both numbers and program success. This season has been our most successful to date.

The two major factors in the success of our young racers this year has been quality coaching and the eagerness of our athletes to try, every day.

Other clubs are complimenting our program, success and improvement, and that is a definite feather in the cap for all involved.

 I strongly feel we cultivate a healthy balance between competition and fun. The Jasper Ski Team promotes fun first but also strives to ensure healthy competition and sportsmanship. We want to generate a competitive and supportive atmosphere here and I have seen firsthand our kids as happy for their friend’s successes as for themselves at races and at training.

As a child athlete, I saw the dark side of children’s sports. The yelling parents, angry coaches and the burn out that too much pressure can cause in a child athlete. That is not what we are about. Sure we want to generate success, but on a level where we are dealing with personal bests. It’s just that now, some of our athletes’ personal bests are top ten and podium finishes.

In a sport like Alpine Racing where hundredths of seconds can be the difference between 1st and 5th, there can be some hard lessons. We are talking inches here, and that builds character and an understanding of personal goals and achievement. It’s just you and the clock...

Alex Rayner is the president of the Jasper Ski Team.