Featured Image: NSA FIS athletes. Credit: NSA
On January 18, 2025, Canada’s National Ski Academy (NSA) embarked on an unforgettable journey to Europe, marking a significant step in the Academy’s nearly 40-year history of international training. The largest group of NSA FIS athletes ever set off to compete in Europe. Eighteen FIS athletes and four staff headed overseas to train and compete in the heart of Europe’s ski racing region Sud-Tyrol. The team traveled to Dobbiaco, Italy, where they immersed themselves in world-class training, elite competition, and the electric atmosphere of European ski racing culture.
World-Class training – Rienz
The NSA athletes trained at the renowned Private Rienz Training Center, a facility known for hosting top World Cup racers, including Mikaela Shiffrin. With long, steep, and perfectly prepared slopes, it provided an elite-level environment that far surpassed what’s available in Ontario. Athletes focused on refining their giant slalom (GS) skills alongside national teams from Norway, Italy, and Poland. They even had the unique opportunity to train beside Swiss ski star Lara Gut-Behrami the day before she raced in the Kronplatz World Cup GS.
World Cup Racing Up Close – Kronplatz
One of the most inspiring moments of the trip came when the team traveled to Kronplatz to witness the FIS World Cup GS on the iconic Erta race track. The atmosphere was electric as the world’s best battled on the steep, technical course. New Zealand’s Alice Robinson delivered a dominant victory, while the U.S.’s Paula Moltzan secured her first-ever GS podium finish. Coach Jones summed up the experience: “I’ve been to many World Cup races in North America, and they’re great events… but this, watching a race live in Italy where the crowd is so into it—a place where World Cup athletes have superstar status and fan clubs cheering them on, this is another level altogether.”
Competing in Europe – Cortina d’Ampezzo
Fueled by the excitement of watching the World Cup, NSA athletes took to the slopes of Cortina d’Ampezzo—host of the 2026 Winter Olympic alpine events—to compete in two GS races and one super-G against a deep international field. The competition was fierce, featuring top European racers, but the NSA athletes held their own, with eight NSA athletes earning personal best results in SG. “It’s breathtaking—I never imagined I would have the opportunity to race here in Cortina,” one athlete shared.
Experiencing European Culture
NSA athletes didn’t just race in Europe—they lived its mountain culture. In Cortina d’Ampezzo, Kronplatz, and Lienz, they wandered alpine villages, soaked in breathtaking mountain views, and felt the deep-rooted passion for ski racing in every corner.
A fun team cultural experience was, after training, hitting the 5km sledding run at Croda Rossa, boasting a staggering 600m vertical drop, speeds over 45kph. As the athletes launched down the winding course. The high-speed twists and turns demanded balance and control, making it feel almost like a downhill race. It was also the first time they had ever been required to wear helmets while sledding—a testament to the sheer speed of the descent on the Rodelbahn.
A Dream Realized
Racing and training in Europe isn’t just an incredible opportunity—it’s a dream realized. “It’s amazing to be here, racing on the same slopes as the world’s best,” one athlete shared. “The atmosphere, the competition, and the experience have pushed me beyond what I thought was possible.”
This trip sharpened their skills and deepened their love for European ski racing’s legacy. With experiences like these, the National Ski Academy continues to provide its student-athletes with the foundation needed to succeed at the highest levels of the sport. Thanks to NSA’s ability to modify its academic schedule, student-athletes can pursue these invaluable European race and training opportunities without sacrificing their education. Competing in Europe was the next step—lining up with prime World Cup races and offering peak-season conditions. Based on the success of this project, NSA sees a bright future with even more European training and racing experiences on the horizon. For more information on how NSA supports its athletes in balancing academics and elite skiing, visit www.nsa.on.ca.
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