The Junior Freeski Competition scheduled at Fernie Alpine Resort (FAR) was moved to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden due to unfavourable conditions.
The International Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association (IFSA) confirmed the relocation of the national qualifying event in a release.
“Although Fernie Alpine Resort is 100 per cent open, due to our freeski venue locations being north facing, they do not have a chance to soften up during the day and therefore will be too firm to hold a safe competition at this time,” said IFSA, adding, “This is a very unique and unusual situation for us and we are confident we will be back in Fernie for the event in 2016.”
“Due to the snow not being able to thaw enough for the competition, we had to think about what was best for the kids taking part in this competition,” said Matt Mosteller, Senior VP Marketing & Resort Experience for Resorts of the Canadian Rockies. “We try tremendously hard to host this event every year. It means a lot to us. But we did not want to put the kids and the youth competing at risk.”
At the Kicking Horse event over the weekend, Fernie competitor Robyn Anderson came in third in the Girls 15-18 category.
The event itself is meant to provide youth skiers aged 7-18 a chance to develop and showcase their skiing skills and is part of the Resort of the Canadian Rockies commitment to provide active pursuits for youth.
Competitors were judged in five categories including line choice, control, fluidity, technique and style/energy.