The Vancouver Ski Team kicked off the new year with a strong start as they dove headfirst into the thick of the ski season. With several events, from an Apex training camp to races in Norquay, Kimberly and Nakiska, the first one and a half months of 2023 provided no shortage of highlights and opportunities to work.  

Perhaps most exciting was the 11 days spent at Kimberley. There, the first years made their first foray into Downhill racing, while the second years built on the skills fostered from the previous season. Despite the smooth track, the course was initially daunting; there was a jump, and that they were still trying to get used to their 210-cm skis did not make it any easier. However, as the week progressed and athletes were able to lay more runs down, they quickly became comfortable and confident over their boards and could charge down the course. They also had the opportunity to race a nighttime slalom and two Super-Gs.  

Shortly after, the team moved from the -20°C weather to a far more temperate -5°C as they took on the gently rolling slopes of Nakiska. In a productive, four-day event, athletes were able to get in two GS and 3 SG races while facing a diverse slew of weather conditions. Sun would quickly give way to clouds or even snow tornados, which would rip through the start chorale. Yet despite the erratic weather, the snow was anything but; it was hard, grippy, and the perfect canvas for the open, winding sets. Athletes also enjoyed the atunning backdrop of the Rockies and the DNF candy bags from the volunteers at the finish.  

Finally, the team returned home for the U16 Enquist slalom race. In true Seymour fashion, the mountain embraced them with fog, rain, and soft snow, but after coming off an exhausting slew of intense training camps and series, the nostalgic and low-pressure environment was just what the athletes needed. It was also fun to race with the younger athletes and relive U16 sets. To cap off the weekend, two VST members also took home overall gold medals – Erica Zander and Thomas Hung. Congratulations! 

The team would like to thank all the volunteers from Norquay, Kimberly, Nakiska, and Seymour, who helped make each event a success. Stay tuned for Whistler’s BC Cup next week and Mission Ridge’s speed race the week after!