Kiersten Vincett, is just one athlete out of many, who have put Valley Ski Hill on the map. Starting her ski career at the mere age of two and a half, she was whizzing down the hill in races by the time she was five. She progressed in the Nancy Greene River Valley Series until she was 10 and only …
Arne Peterson says he “still enjoys skiing” at the age of 92. He started skiing when he was about 10-years old on homemade skis in his homeland, Denmark. There was no ski lift, so he was pulled uphill by a horse. In 1950 he arrived in Canada and he moved to Worsley, Alberta in 1960 where he was employed within …
Daniel Masur, was born and raised in Slave Lake, Alberta. For a large portion of his childhood, Daniel worked his way up to a very high level of hockey, but when it came down to the decision to take it all the way, he decided that his heart was truly on the ski hill, rather than on the ice. He …
Our shining star is a family. The Prazak family has been involved with Tawatinaw from day 1. Wesley Prazak was the first operator of the hill, along with Joe Moser. Irene Prazak, Wesley’s wife, ran the kitchen. At some point George Prazak and Perry Prazak (Wes’ sons) took over operation of the rental shop. Perry took over operations of the …
Skiing is one of the many sports that is incredibly inclusive to those with disabilities, especially here at Valley Ski Hill. Car accident survivor, Hanna Chilson, was left in a wheelchair at a very young age, but she hasn’t let that stop her. She began on our hill and now skis with Rocky Mountain Adaptive and has her sights set …
Not only new to the ski hill, but new to Canada, Natalia Banket and Nafiseh Zamarrodi decided to hit the slopes with their very first ski lesson. They didn’t make it through the day without a few spills, which is to be expected, and even encouraged, but they most definitely had fun. See their #SnowProud moment and watch them as …
Going the extra mile is what Canadian Ski Patrol Leader, Camille Ducharme is known for in the Northern region of Alberta. From helping new riders on the lift and showing them how they can seek help from the hill’s staff, to teaching students, young and old, how to be a collaborative team member, and always recognizing the efforts of her …
Written by: Jeremy Derksen EDMONTON, AB – Boots click, people chatter as the enthusiasm grows for an evening of skiing at Edmonton Ski Club. Ticket lines, food lines and rental lines snake around the chalet. There’s a bustle of noise and movement everywhere. In the midst of the down-jacket filled room, a caped superhero drifts from family to family. But …
Generations have answered the clang of the bell at Valley Ski Club Written by: Jeremy Derksen ALLIANCE, AB – A bell rings through the frosty air. I half doubt my ears but as I pull ski gear out of the van I hear it again — the unmistakable clang of a large bell, the kind you imagine at an old …
Instructor sees a new sense of confidence in people who learn to ski Doc Pow I recently watched a couple of videos that inspired me, both of which you will find within this story. The first showcases a recent TED talk featuring life stories from one of the world’s most powerful people in the entertainment industry, the other showcases a …
Before coming to Canada from India, Chaitanya and Tejas Gautam had never seen snow, much less played in it. Their first winter in Toronto was miserable and cold. But the boys were singing a new tune after taking their first ski lesson in Edmonton, AB. this winter. “I felt like I was flying, on land,” says Chaitanya, the older brother …
Blame the kids. Before they came along you were a fantastic skier. You had great equipment, and could handle bumps, glades, steeps and looked pretty damn good après ski. But after a few years of schlepping babies on one hip, chasing toddlers and dragging preschoolers to lessons, you have lost touch with the ski babe you once were. Yes, you …
School-age boys are a common sight tucking down ski runs and blazing paths through the trees at Alberta resorts. But the fact my son Bennett, 8, can do these things is in many ways extraordinary. Bennett has autism, and it’s been a long and slippery trail getting him on skis. He’s now on his way to sliding on snow with …