ATHABASCA - One of Alberta's best up-and-coming skiers is competing to be labelled the Youth Athlete of the Year in a North American contest featuring athletes from all kinds of sports.
Ty Kargus is one of four freestyle skiers on Alberta's youth team, based out of Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, and he's currently competing in a multi-stage contest, with the winner earning themselves $25,000 and a shout-out in Sports Illustrated.
"It's been awesome so far; I'm so fortunate to come from a small town where everyone is so good around their community and so helpful," Kargus said. "The support has been amazing."
The contestants are split off into groups, with supporters voting each day through the contest's website, linked to a Facebook account. Currently, Kargus needs to finish in the top 20 of his group — voting for this section closes on Aug. 7 — at which point the process will repeat itself until one athlete remains later this October.
Like many kids in the area, Kargus got his start skiing at Tawatinaw Valley, where he joined the Tawatinaw Valley Freeriders. From there, he fell in love with the sport, which he described as a combination of ski jumping and ski ballet.
"I enjoy the individualism of the sport; although I do compete on a team, and I love my team members, when it comes to game day it's up to me. It's not in anyone else's hands," he said.
After a childhood spent travelling from Athabasca to the Rocky Mountains and beyond, Kargus relocated to Calgary to be closer to his training and the Team Alberta infrastructure. Once winter rolls around, he'll be competing against skiers from Canada and the United States as he looks to make the jump to the national team in the coming years.
"The goal is to qualify for the Canadian national team, as well as get on the World Cup circuit. From there on its the Olympics, the X Games, and all that."
For the Karguses, who still reside in Athabasca, the contest has been a reminder of how support a small town community can be.
"We've seen lots of support from our local community where Ty was born and raised," said Ty's mother Janene Kargus.
"It's awesome to see people, even if they've never met him, rally behind him."
To cast a vote in the contest, visit Kargus's page at athleteoftheyear.org/2025/ty-b044. Round one of four ends Aug. 7.
