Kinosoo Blizzards kick off season with mountain training in Lake Louise

Image provided by Kinosoo Blizzards Alpine Ski Team

The Kinosoo Blizzards ski racing team held their first mountain training camp at Lake Louise from December 6^th to 8^th.  Although skiing in the Rocky Mountains is always a thrill for local racers, the highlight of the weekend was when the Blizzards were given the opportunity to be flag bearers for the opening ceremonies of the World Cup women’s downhill.

Blizzard racers were excited to cheer on and elated to meet US alpine racer Michaela Shiffrin, who is currently considered the world’s best women’s racer.

The Blizzards’ ski season officially started at the end of November when they took to the hill at Kinosoo Ridge Snow Resort, however the club has been training for a couple months already. “We train every Sunday and will begin Wednesday evening training in the new year,” explained Andrea Woods, spokesperson for the club. “Our dryland training sessions ran from September 29th until November 17th.”

The club has 45 registered members heading into the 2019-20 season, with racers from 4-17 years old.

“We partake in several Nancy Greene and Regional competitions throughout the year within our zone (Alberta Alpine North Zone).” Woods explains the Nancy Greene series takes place in the Edmonton region, Red Deer, Cold Lake, and Jasper. There is also a stop on the series at Kinosoo Ridge.

“Our competitions begin in December until the end of March,” Woods adds.

The club has produced some very talented racers, “We continue to watch the success of former Kinosoo Blizzard, Nathan Sylvestre, as he continues his training with the Sunshine Alpine Racers Ski Team.”

Nathan will be competing at a National level this March in Sun Peaks, BC for the U16 Canadian Alpine Nationals.

“This past weekend the Kinosoo Blizzards had the pleasure of being accompanied by Nathan, while training in Lake Louise,” Woods said.