LAKE LOUISE – Dates for a Lake Louise world cup have tentatively appeared on the 2023-24 world cup ski calendar, with a big asterisk next to it.
FIS released its men’s and women’s calendars on May 24, which has a men’s speed event pencilled in at the Lake Louise Ski Resort on Nov. 25-26, but with a “to be confirmed” indication.
The Lake Louise date is the only event on the calendar not confirmed.
Rev your engines 🏁
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Set up your phones 🗓️
Buy tickets 🎟️
Start planning ✈️🚗🚝
Sharpen your ski edges 🎿
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2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣ Calendars Are Released!!! #fisalpine pic.twitter.com/79ijcSfsjd
In an April 2023 statement to the Outlook, governing body Alpine Canada Alpin (ACA) said it was “focusing on Lake Louise, but have not yet been able to confirm any solutions at this time.”
ACA also mentioned other venues in western Canada were under consideration to host the men’s downhill and super-G events.
In a previous article with The Canadian Press, ACA CEO Therese Brisson said the cost to run world cups in Lake Louise was expensive and exceeds $1 million, including $400,000 for snow-making at the resort.
The Lake Louise Ski Resort won’t provide further updates at this time.
In an April 2023 statement to the Outlook, the ski resort said it hopes to continue hosting for future years.
"We support Alpine Canada’s efforts to align all of the various stakeholders required to host a World Cup race,” said the Lake Louise Ski Resort in a statement. “We continue to meet with members of their team and hope to continue the legacy of alpine racing in Lake Louise this fall."
Since last summer, speculation has risen that Alpine Canada Alpin (ACA) and FIS would be moving away from the iconic ski hill in Banff National Park.
Last year’s women’s speed event in Lake Louise was the final one for the foreseeable future. It was replaced with a women’s technical event on the other side of the country in Mont Tremblant, Quebec.
Lake Louise hosted its first world cup in March 1980. From 1994 onward, the race has been a staple on the ski world cup circuit at the Lake Louise Ski Resort and featured star athletes such as Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin.
Closer to home, Canadian athletes who race “The Lake” include world championship bronze medallist and Canmore’s Jeff Read and Olympic bronze medallist Jack Crawford.
As the alpine ski world cup is still being decided, it’s confirmed that Nakiska ski hill in Kananaskis Country will host the ski cross world cup Jan. 20-21, featuring local national team athletes Kris Mahler and Zach Belczyk.
FIS, which has alpine skiing, snowboarding, and nordic skiing all under its banner, stated it will be taking a closer look at North America in the coming years.
Canada and the US were identified as markets FIS “needs to tap into,” according to the international governing body’s latest strategic plan that was released at the end of May.
“Developing an effective event, media and sponsorship strategy here that balances existing viewers with new audience development, building events, awareness and utilising the athlete’s profile, appeal and following will be key,” FIS’ statement said.
FIS also identified Asia, Balkans, South America, and Australia and New Zealand, as other demographics being targeted.
