LAKE LOUISE WORLD CUP EVENTS

World Cup skiing comes to Lake Louise Nov. 26 – Dec. 4, 2011

by Jim Barr

LAKE LOUISE, AB – The next time you’re driving down the highway I want you to consider what it would be like to be outside your vehicle travelling at 110 km/h. Then imagine strapping on a pair of skis and pointing them straight down the side of a mountain at this same speed. Now add another 50 km and you’ll be have an idea of just how fast the world’s best ski racers are.  

When traveling at 160 km/h the world can zip by in pretty quick fashion, but for Canadian Alpine Ski champion Erik Guay, it’s just a day at the office. For nearly 30 years, the Canadian Alpine Ski Team has played host to the world’s first FIS alpine event of the year – the kick off to a season of ski racing. It’s all happening in the Bow Valley, on the slopes of the world-famous Lake Louise Ski Area Nov. 26 to December 4, 2011. 

Come watch the best in the world

John Cassels, Bombardier Lake Louise World Cup Chairman, has been with the event for 17 years. I asked him why someone should take interest in the race and get out to experience it. “If you were passionate about hockey wouldn’t you want to get in on a Stanley Cup game?” Cassels said. “Well if you are passionate about skiing you should be out to Lake Louise, to catch the best in the world competing for a spot on the podium.”

Having been to Lake Louise a few times before, I know what Cassels is talking about. People from around the world flock to Lake Louise to get in on the action; cow bells are ringing, the racers are buzzing. and the energy can be comparable to a super bowl (especially if Canada takes gold, as it did only four seasons ago with Jan Hudec’s gold-medal downhill finish). 

The Vancouver Olympics was a time where Canadians celebrated winter sport like never before, and it opened the floodgates on Canadian pride. “I certainly never expected to experience that wealth of pride. And now we can continue this legacy by cheering on our athletes in Lake Louise,” said Percy.

For more on the World Cup and the events that make up this spectacular event, stay tuned to FestivalSeekers.com, and our affiliate site, SnowSeekers.ca. Keep checking as the event nears, as we'll have a host of updates, schedules, photos, videos, and more.