The future of the Lake Louise World Cups is, at best uncertain. Most likely, the women will not return to Lake Louise in the foreseeable future. Also, the ACA has been forced to consider alternatives for men. 

Ski Racing Media spoke to a few athletes to gather opinions about the event.

Odermatt

2021-22 World Cup overall champion, Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt skied well in this season’s edition. Odermatt finished third in the downhill and first in the Super-G.

Odermatt says, “I would be really sad actually if the race doesn’t continue. I really like this place and it’s a great downhill to start the season. I guess most of us like to be here. The atmosphere is just very nice. It’s a calm place to start, and we are all in the same hotel. Most of us hope the race will return here.”

Dressen

Germany’s Tomas Dressen won one of the two 2019 editions of the Lake Louise downhill.

Dressen comments, “Lake Louise has always been in my heart. When I won here, it was also my comeback race after injury, so I hoped a little bit for the same results today (Nov. 26).” Dressen finished 8^th. He continues, “If you ask me, Lake Louise should always be the start of the downhill World Cup season because it’s a great slope, it’s a nice venue, and it’s always fun in the hotel with all the teams together. We get to talk (to each other). It’s always nice to be here.”

Mayer

Two-time downhill and Super-G Olympic medalist Austria’s Matthias Mayer has also won twice at “The Lake.” Additionally, he was third in this year’s edition of the Lake Louise Super-G. 

Mayer will miss Lake Louise. He comments, “There are two points that are sad if this is the last time: It’s a great race. It’s one of the highest-speed downhill races of the season and it’s always our season kick-off. It’s great to ski here. The other very sad thing is, of course, the scenery here in Lake Louise in the middle of a national park in Canada, so it’s great to be here.”

Kilde

Reigning World Cup Super-G and downhill globe holder Norway’s Aleksander Aamodt Kilde hopes they find a way to continue to race in Lake Louise. Notably, Kilde experienced his first two Lake Louise podiums this year. He was able to win the downhill and place 2nd in the Super-G.

Kilde thinks, “That would be a pity [if it is the final year]. It’s one of the most beautiful places we go during the season and staying at Chateau Lake Louise and the whole thing around it is beautiful. I would like to keep it.”

Hudec

Western Canadian-Czech Republic retired World Cup athlete Jan Hudec is the 2007 Lake Louise downhill winner. 

Hudec speaks to his experiences with the event. “Lake Louise, in general, had a big impact on my life. It was a special treat to race in Lake Louise and it made a huge impression on me as a skier. I think that one thing that was always really special about that race is we got to connect [with the race volunteers]. I think that always tied it all together because we had a great relationship with the volunteers, the Sled Dogs of Lake Louise.”

Read

25-year-old Canadian Jeff Read started his 2022-23 season by finishing in the top 30 in both the downhill and the Super-G. It was the first year he scored World Cup points in his home race. 

The hometown athlete remarked, “I have so many memories here. I’m not 100 percent sure about this, but I think this is where I first clicked on skis even. All the feelings from all the years – I really hope it doesn’t get taken off the calendar, but you never know. I’m going to make my last run down there tomorrow (Nov. 27), make it count, and hopefully have something to remember if this is it.”

Bennett

US speed skier Bryce Bennett, the winner of last season’s Italian Saslong downhill, sees the value of Lake Louise.

He shares, “Yeah, it is pretty wild that it could be the last one. I think Lake Louise is a perfect start of the season because it is high speed, but it’s not crazy steep or technical. It is a good first race. It’s perfect. The Chateau is also great. It is the one place where everyone can participate in the celebrations. Usually, you only see them in the finish, and that is it. But you can see the real celebrations with everyone at the Chateau.” Bennett concludes, “Lake Louise is such a beautiful place.”

Nyman

American, three-time World Cup winner Steven Nyman has had many successes in Lake Louise. He is undoubtedly a highly respected veteran of the tour. 

Nyman reminisces, “Lake Louise was always tough on me growing up. NorAms were just brutal. I got there for my first World Cup downhill and it was just a sheet of ice and I liked it. I like sheets of ice. Usually, for the NorAms, they groom, which is variable at best. And I never did well there. However, I went there during the 2005-06 season for my first World Cup and was 14th. And that just kind of set the precedence. From there, I went to Beaver Creek and was 25th in the Super-G and 23rd in the downhill. I knew what the course was like, but for the first time, I had a surface that supported me and was realistic, it was so much fun and lit a fire under me. And I love it there.”