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| Canadian Luger Justin Snith Jenaya Launstein photos |
“How was your experience in Sochi?” I asked Michelle.
“Oh it was amazing—such an incredible experience! The games were really put together well. I was actually the only female there for Canada in Para-Snowboard, and it was the first time snowboarding has ever been in the Paralympics, which was pretty cool.” She replied.
“Do you have any advice for young athletes?” I asked.
“Just stick with it. If you are passionate about something, then just continue pushing yourself, and big things will hopefully come out of it!” Michelle shared.
Pretty good advice if you ask me!
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| Canadian Alpine skier Brad Spence |
Alpine Slalom Skier Brad Spence, also from Calgary, added his thoughts: “My advice is to just follow your heart. I actually got into skiing in the first place because when the Olympics were in Calgary in 1988 I was 4 years old, and I just remember watching the opening ceremonies on TV. I don’t remember anything else besides that, but that was the moment I knew I wanted to go to the Olympics, I just didn’t know in what sport!”
Brad said his path led him into skiing after his brother wanted to take up the sport and he decided to get into it as well. “I came from a family of figure skaters: both my parents and grandparents. So it was a little different avenue, but the whole time I was passionate about it, and I loved it and stuck with it. I was ultimately able to live my dream not once, but twice at the Olympics!” He said.
Brad competed in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver as well, and said Sochi was an unreal experience. When asked about the difference between the two competitions, he said: “To compare those two was kind of like apples and oranges. It was my first time going to Russia, and I think going in we had been briefed on the area and what to expect, but actually going there I was really blown away with the infrastructure and how good of a job they actually did putting everything together. The mountains were huge; the ski resorts were expansive. It wasn’t what I was expecting—it was a lot more! So I think the Russians really surprised me and a lot of people, and put on an incredible event.” Brad explained.
Once I was done the interviews, it was time to head out! We took the ski lift up the mountain, and then waited for the ski cat. Once it was ready, the athletes loaded up their skis and snowboards, and then squished into the ski cat to head up into the back country.
In the meantime, I interviewed Donna Murray-Clark from Castle Mountain Resort, who shared that the resort wanted to do something to welcome the Olympians back from Sochi after being approached about the opportunity. They jumped at the chance, wanting them to experience all the resort offers, and thanking them for representing the country.
Donna told me that the resort has had a fantastic season, with numerous people coming out to experience Castle for the first time. They have had a lot of snow this season, and temperatures even dipped to -35C at times, but that didn’t stop people from coming!
I also asked about their cat skiing. This is the 5th year they’ve been offering this service, and it has been very popular. The good thing about Castle’s cat skiing is that it’s lift assisted, and is more of an introduction to more advanced terrain. You head up on the Huckleberry lift and then take the cat further up the mountain before skiing back down into the resort where you can grab a break or refreshments before your next run.
This weekend is the resort’s Spring Fest, which is like a closing of the season party. Amongst other activities, there will be a cardboard canoe race, where people have to build a boat out of cardboard and duct tape. You have to pre-register, but it’s always a fantastic event. Donna assured me there are lots of things for the whole family at Spring Fest, so be sure to come by and celebrate with them and take advantage of their current sale on 2014/2015 Season Passes.
The season ends this Sunday, so get out there before it’s too late!
Brad said his path led him into skiing after his brother wanted to take up the sport and he decided to get into it as well. “I came from a family of figure skaters: both my parents and grandparents. So it was a little different avenue, but the whole time I was passionate about it, and I loved it and stuck with it. I was ultimately able to live my dream not once, but twice at the Olympics!” He said.
Brad competed in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver as well, and said Sochi was an unreal experience. When asked about the difference between the two competitions, he said: “To compare those two was kind of like apples and oranges. It was my first time going to Russia, and I think going in we had been briefed on the area and what to expect, but actually going there I was really blown away with the infrastructure and how good of a job they actually did putting everything together. The mountains were huge; the ski resorts were expansive. It wasn’t what I was expecting—it was a lot more! So I think the Russians really surprised me and a lot of people, and put on an incredible event.” Brad explained.
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| Athletes walking to the ski cat |
In the meantime, I interviewed Donna Murray-Clark from Castle Mountain Resort, who shared that the resort wanted to do something to welcome the Olympians back from Sochi after being approached about the opportunity. They jumped at the chance, wanting them to experience all the resort offers, and thanking them for representing the country.
Donna told me that the resort has had a fantastic season, with numerous people coming out to experience Castle for the first time. They have had a lot of snow this season, and temperatures even dipped to -35C at times, but that didn’t stop people from coming!
I also asked about their cat skiing. This is the 5th year they’ve been offering this service, and it has been very popular. The good thing about Castle’s cat skiing is that it’s lift assisted, and is more of an introduction to more advanced terrain. You head up on the Huckleberry lift and then take the cat further up the mountain before skiing back down into the resort where you can grab a break or refreshments before your next run.
This weekend is the resort’s Spring Fest, which is like a closing of the season party. Amongst other activities, there will be a cardboard canoe race, where people have to build a boat out of cardboard and duct tape. You have to pre-register, but it’s always a fantastic event. Donna assured me there are lots of things for the whole family at Spring Fest, so be sure to come by and celebrate with them and take advantage of their current sale on 2014/2015 Season Passes.
The season ends this Sunday, so get out there before it’s too late!
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