The slopes at Tawatinaw Valley Alpine resort were plastered with fresh pow, sunshine, classic rock ‘n’ roll and a stream of children wearing neon coloured snowsuits last weekend.
Over 100 people came out to compete and support the Tawatinaw Valley Freeriders Club Competition at Tawatinaw. The two-day competition included a mogul course on Saturday and slopestyle event Sunday.
“The moguls are great and the parents are great,” Edmonton-based coach Troy Minogue said, while gazing up at the course.
“Tawatinaw really did a lot here — it’s obvious they spent a lot of hours out here to make it a great course.”
And it was clear the event was a hit right away.
While people applauded the outstanding spirit and determination being exuded from each skier, it was clear each youth would be greeted with support and admiration from friends and family alike, as well as from their coaches and the visiting judges.
“It’s very cool to be in a race,” 10-year-old Tawatinaw racer Travis Punko said.
When asked what his favourite part of the competition was early on Saturday afternoon, Punko simply replied “well, going crazy.”
He added, “there’s no rights and wrongs in skiing.”
The club level event was sanctioned by Alberta Freestyle and it’s essentially the first level of competition children on freestyle skiing teams can take part in, said Freeriders president Toni Siegle.
In addition, she noted it was the first time the competition has been totally independent.
“We provided a bunch of volunteers last year but we didn’t actually host the event,” Siegle said.
“We’ve been getting some great feedback, but I think you’re always anxious the first year — mostly because the other clubs who put on events do such a good job, it’s a pretty a high standard to meet.”
But if success could be based on enrolment numbers, there would be no doubts it took off. Siegle said the event attracted freestyle ski clubs from Red Deer, Jasper, Edmonton and Grande Prairie as well as athletes from the local club this year.
“We’re really excited to get to share our beloved Tawatinaw with our freestyle friends from around the province, and at the same time we’re also excited people from the community are getting the opportunity to see some really high calibre athletes come to their local hill and show off their skills,” Siegle said. “It’s been great.”
