Windermere Valley Ski Club is one of Canada’s most accomplished Alpine Ski Racing Clubs based out of Panorama Mountain Village in British Columbia’s Kootenay Zone. Our club draws athletes from throughout the Columbia Valley and beyond, has a culture of excellence coupled with a history of achievement.

WVSC boasts some pretty impressive Alumni over the years from Provincial Team to National, World Cup winning racers to Olympians. We are incredibly proud to have two amazing Alumni athletes in the 2023 Canadian National Team, Amelia Smart and Courtney Hoffos

Family volunteering is required for all members. Families with children in our progressive racing programs are required to participate in the following;

1 Lodge Parent Slot per Season
Lusti Cup once per month
Fundraising
Sell 50/50 Raffle Tickets
Complete the ACA Officials Level 1+ course (one adult family member minimum, provided by a level 3 official - fee applies)
Set courses/fences as required
Volunteer at home races 2-4 days minimum per hosted race ( TECK Zone Race & Spring Series)

Full details are on the Volunteer Page.

competitive Racing programs

U8/10

Children aged 6-9 (as of December 31, 5 athletes minimum required)

The program is the stepping stone and provides a great bridge from the Sunday NGSL to the more intensive competitive race programs. It follows the NGSL Learn to Train Program. Young athletes will ski a minimum of 30 days of the season on snow (two days per week) and participate in up to 3 races. Athletes will ski Saturday and Sunday 8.45am – 3.30pm with a one hour lunch break. This program INCLUDES Full access to the Dryland Program as well as Christmas and Spring Break Camp.

U12

Children aged 10 – 11 (as of December 31)

U12 athletes will start as soon as the Panorama Mountain Resort season opens, December 6th 2024.

The program is following Nancy Green Ski League Learn to Train AIM Model with at least 3 days a week on snow. The program will be running Friday afternoon 1.30-3.30pm, Saturday and Sunday whole day 8.45am to 3.30pm, and an additional 2 hour program will be offered Tuesday evening 7-9pm at COP in Calgary. The program is focused on developing skills and developing the passion for skiing. Athletes will have opportunity to participate in more race simulated environments.

Athletes participating in this program are also able to participate in the preseason training program beginning November 7th 2024. (regular season pass does not apply, separate lift pass required)

This means children in this program will ski 70+ days per season

Athletes will attend a minimum of 2 races plus Lusti Cup races during the season

This program INCLUDES Full access to the Dryland Program as well as Christmas and Spring Break Camp.

U14

Competitors aged 12–13 (as of December 31)

U14 athletes will start their snow season as soon as the Panorama Mountain Resort season opens, usually in early December dates TBD

The U14 series transitions skiers from the Learn to Train to the Learn to Race stages of the AIM model, designed to give young racers an opportunity to develop their racing and skiing skills and progress according with their ability. Emphasis is placed on providing strong coaches so that these young racers receive a strong technical foundation from which to progress to higher levels.

The Snow Stars program – introduced in the Nancy Greene Ski League – is an excellent teaching tool for the U14 level, and clubs are encouraged to pursue the goal of having a high percentage of U14 skiers achieve Level 7.

Program will be running in Panorama and COP in Calgary. This program will be offered Friday afternoon 1.30-3.30pm, Saturday and Sunday whole day in Panorama 8.45am-3.30pm, additional 2 hour program will be offered Tuesday evening at COP in Calgary from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

Athletes participating in this program are also able to participate in the preseason training program beginning November 7th 2024. (regular season pass does not apply, separate lift pass required)

Athletes in this program will have the opportunity to ski 70+ days per season

Athletes will attend a minimum of 2 zone races plus one provincial and Lusti Cup races during the season

This program INCLUDES Full access to the Dryland Program as well as Christmas and Spring Break Camp.

U16

Competitors aged 14–15 (as of December 31)

U16 athletes will start as soon as the Panorama Mountain Resort season opens, usually in the Mid November. All information will be posted on the U16 Calendar.

The U16 series prepares skiers to perform in the Learn to Race stage and are introduced to more intensive training and competition. The program provides a competitive series for 14 and 15 years – with benchmarking at the CanAm level (Western Canada and Western USA) – allowing them to test their skills against their peers at a regional level. The U16 program also develops ski specific physical and mental skills and continues to develop the athlete's technical and tactical skills.

Athletes participating in this program are also able to participate in the preseason training program beginning November 7th 2024. (regular season pass does not apply, separate lift pass required)

Athletes in this program will have the opportunity to ski 70+ days per season

Zone Races: U16 athletes will have minimum of three Kootenay Zone races throughout the year. These races can be anywhere in the east Kootenay Zone. Participation is optional but strongly encouraged for those who wish to pursue competitive skiing at a high level.

BC Provincial Finals: The final for the U16 culminates in the U16 Provincials in March, which rotates yearly throughout B.C.

Western Championships: A show-down for BC and Alberta U14 & U16 athletes.

Whistler Cup: This international FIS-sanctioned event is held the first weekend of April every year for U14 and U16 athletes. Qualification criteria for U16 athletes can be downloaded from B.C. Alpine.

This program INCLUDES Full access to the Dryland Program as well as Christmas and Spring Break Camp.

U18/FIS

Competitors aged 16 + (as of December 31)

WVSC runs a comprehensive, full time, year round FIS Program

The U18 series involves racing in the BC Cup Series and AB GM Cup and for 2024 the opportunity for Noram participation. It is designed to advance skiers to the highest performance stages of the sport. Training programs provide a progression from the Learn to Race & Train to Race phases of the Long Term Skier Development Model and offer intensive technical, tactical, physical, and mental training in order to prepare athletes to compete at this level.

Panorama Mountain Resort is well known as a premier pre season race training destination, as our home mountain our skiers have a huge advantage in the number of on snow training days through November. Expected days on snow for the season are a minimum of 100 with 20-30 race starts

Pre Season on snow portion commences 7th November 2024

Dryland Training is mandatory and runs throughout the off season, with intensive strength, cardio, agility and team building. Our Program Director Dusan Grasic, brings his extensive knowledge and expertise to oversee athlete development and is joined by experts to ensure our athletes are at the top of their physical and mental fitness for the competitive season. All training takes place in Invermere and the surrounding Columbia Valley

This intensive program will be offered Wednesday-Sunday with race travel as required.

The Columbia Valley is home and been a home away from home for elite skiers and world class coaches for decades. We have a beautiful community rooting for us, with good options for continuing education and overall great lifestyle.

Whichever program you choose, rest assured your child will feel like part of a team and with the technical know-how that will see them develop a life long love of skiing!