It was a bluebird day to kick off the first day of the Jasper Junior Olympics on Saturday 28th February. 414 kids from across northern Alberta  came out to Marmot Basin to race in one of the largest junior ski races in the world. Jasper Ski Team had 29 athletes competing in the event from ages 5 through to 11. The 4 and 5 year olds spent a fun filled day flying down a course on School House. The young athletes were all clad in pyjamas to support the local charity, Find The Common Thread. The older athletes took part in Giant Slalom events on Dromedary. There were some excellent results from Jasper Nancy Greene athletes with top 10 finishes and plenty of smiles to go with. Especially impressive was the huge improvement in the athletes performances as the day went on showing a real desire to improve and challenge themselves. 

The team arrived at the mountain for another early start on Sunday morning, accompanied by some impressive goggle tans from the day before. The Sunday Team Event consisted of a dual slalom where the athletes earned points for their club. It was a very long and technical course but the Jasper team rose to the challenge and chalked up a good tally of points for their team. Spirits were high at the end of the day, and the athletes enjoyed some fun skiing around the mountain to cap off an extremely positive weekend.

The JJO performances bode well for this weekend when the Jasper Ski Team will travel to Panorama for the Linda Putnam invitational race. 

The Jasper Ski Team would like to thank the parents, coaches, race organisers and Marmot Basin for all their support in making the race so successful, and a special thank you to the athletes for their hard work and fantastic spirit.

The ski team shack underwent a facelift yesterday (Thurs 25th Sept) on a sunny day in Parking Lot 1 at Marmot Basin! Needed repairs were made to the building, a new shelf installed, benches painted and the inside swept and washed. The outside was painted and signs will be replaced with the most recent logos soon to complete the new look! Well done, thank you and awesome job to Rick, Patrice, Mike K, Magda and Dan F for all your hard work! 

The Jasper Ski Team is actively seeking the following volunteer positions from their membership - if you can please help with any of the positions contact Louise Knight at louk@telus.net!

Social Committee

We need 2-4 people to help organize social events during the season, and also manage the uniform and hoodie orders.

 

Pizza Fund- Raising Committee

We need 2 -4 people to organize and manage the Pizza Fundraiser. This includes distributing order forms, managing the order, and arranging pick up and delivery of pizzas.

Fund Raising Committee

We need a Fund Raising Coordinator for the Jasper Ski Team, and also volunteers for the Fund Raising Committee

 Treasurer in Training-

Sylvie Schleppe has been the JST Treasusrer for many years and is stepping down at the end of this season. We are looking for someone to shadow her this season and then take over this position next year.

Parent Coordinators

Each group  (i.e. – U10, 12,14,16) requires a parent coordinator to manage accommodations for races and camps, and also be a liaison between the executive and their group.    

We hope that everyone has had a fantastic summer, and that you are all looking forward to another exciting season with the Jasper Ski Team.

In the next few days we will be sending out the 2014/2015 registration information to existing club members, which we hope you can read over closely and complete the necessary forms.

We will also be doing a general registration for both new and existing members at the Activity Center, where completed forms and payment can be handed in.  Time and date to follow.

 As the new Jasper Ski Team Executive, we wish to thank the past Executive Members for their many years of hard work and dedication towards the Jasper Ski Team.   We are equally as committed to supporting the Jasper Ski Team and its members, and kindly offer our assistance and support throughout the upcoming season.

Please feel free to contact any one of us with your questions, concerns or comments!

2014/2015 Jasper Ski Team Executive

Dean Boese - President
780-865-0356
jd.boese@shaw.ca

Landon Shepherd - Vice President
780-852-9650
landon.shepherd@gmail.com

Sylvie Schleppe - Treasurer
780-723-4076
sschlepp@telus.net

Louise Knight - Secretary
780-852-5858
louk@telus.net

Rick Ralf - Alpine Chairman
780-931-2485
hpurves@telus.net

We also want to remind everyone that the Jasper Ski Team Web-site www.jasperskiteam.org will be offering up to date information regarding all current ski team events.

Volunteer Opportunities

 As we are a volunteer executive, and a non- profit organization, we need parents to volunteer for different activities throughout the fall and winter. We hope you will closely review the information below, and help out whenever possible.

Jasper Ski Swap

Coming soon, is the Jasper Ski Swap on Oct 18th.  It is the one event that we ask all members to help with, as it is our main fund-raiser for the Jasper Ski Team. We ask that everyone be available for a volunteer shift on Oct 17th  (set-up) or on Oct18th  (for the actual ski swap) and that everyone also provide a silent auction item worth $75.00.  We will send out more detailed information on how to sign up for your shift and where to drop off your Silent Auction items soon. 

If you are able to help out with the organization of the Ski Swap please contact our Ski Swap Coordinator- Lucie Beauchamp at 780-852-4605.

At present, we are also still in need of a Silent Auction Coordinator.  Please let Lucie know if you are able to  coordinate this part of the Ski Swap.

Jasper Ski Team Positions

The Jasper Ski Team is also looking for volunteers for the following positions;  Treasurer – in training,  Registrar- in Training,  Fund Raising Coordinator and Social Committee Members. If you are able to help out with any of the above, please let us know!

Enjoy the last days of summer and be ready for registration information to follow in the next few days…

Sincerely,

The Jasper Ski Team Executive   

2014/2015  Jasper Ski Team Executive

Dean Boese- President

Landon Sheperd- Vice President

Sylvie Schleppe- Treasurer

Louise Knight- Secretary

Rick Ralf- Alpine chair

The Jasper U10 racers battled the elements  over the past 2 weekends, overcoming freezing cold temperatures and highway closures , to compete in the Jasper Junior Olympics on  March 1st and 2nd , and the Linda Putnam Memorial Race in Panorama on March 8.

At the JJO’s, parents were sensational in offering  support and encouragement to the young skiers; carrying coats and hand warmers,  buying endless rounds of hot chocolate, and cheering from the sides! As well, many thanks to the parents who volunteered on the course in –30 temperatures!  From a racing perspective, the coaches  did an outstanding job of managing the kids in the cold, and the kids had great results that they should be very proud of,  with many top ten finishes, and a couple of 3rd place podiums!!  The Jasper Team also secured an incredible 2nd place in the team Event!  Well done Jasper U10’s

Louise Knight

Congratulations to Nate Boese who was recently awarded the Totem Ski Shop Award for his positive attitude towards training and performing at a high level during his Races in the U12 Alpine Insurance Race at Marmot Basin. Nate was nominated by his Peers, Team Parents, Coach and Totem staff! 

Nate had a fantastic race at Marmot. It was the first race of the year and he rose to the occasion with great team spirit and some really solid runs, particularly in the GS on Sunday. Alberta racer Jan Hudec is Nate's skiing hero and with continued dedication and hard work perhaps we will see Nate following his footsteps to the Olympic podium! 

Thanks Totem's for all your support to the club!

Tor Begg

Saje Rayner was representing Jasper Ski Team at the Alberta Winter Games at a freezing cold weekend in Banff. Saje rose to the challenge and finished 13th after his first Slalom run and 18th overall. In GS he came 12th and in Slalom he finished 11th. A great set of results, especially his 12th place finish in GS, which is a race he can be proud of. Well done Saje!