Whistler (BC), Canada – Momentum Ski Camps are celebrating their 20th anniversary this summer when their camps kick off on Friday. What started out as a small mogul program of under 30 skiers, called Smart Mogul Skiing back in 1992, has now grown into one of the largest summer ski training camps in the world.
Each summer Olympic, World and X Games Champions congregate in Whistler to help inspire, teach and mentor the next generation of skiers. Many of these champions were young Momentum campers themselves just a few years ago. Former camper and Olympic Gold medalist Alex Bilodeau, will be back to coach moguls this summer, along with two-time World Championship medalist Mikhael Kingsbury and Olympians Tami Bradley and Shelley Robertson.
The Freeride crew includes most of the Canadian National Halfpipe Team – World Champions Mike Riddle and Roz Groenewoud and multiple X Games Champion Sarah Burke, along with pipe stars Simon Dumont and Justin Dorey. With Halfpipe now the newest Olympic discipline, Momentum is poised to help inspire the next generation of champions.
Slopestyle also stands on the threshold of Olympic acceptance and World Champions Kaya Turski of Montréal and Park City, Utah’s Alex Schlopy will be on the coaching roster. Other top male pros include Colby West, Alexis Godbout, Paul Bergeron, Rory Bushfield, Mike Henitiuk and national team coach Trennon Paynter.
“It’s been a fulfilling experience to watch the young campers over the years be inspired by the coaches we bring in and see some of them go on to achieve great things in the sport themselves,” explains Camp Director and founder John Smart, himself a two-time Olympian and long time Whistler resident. “Our focus has always been on providing the best quality coaching by bringing in the top names in the sport, along with terrain that is dialled for progression. We use trampolines, water ramp, airbags and a structured coaching system to make sure the campers learn quickly and safely.
“Looking back it’s been amazing to play a big part in the evolution of the sport,” Smart adds. “We started the camp the very first year moguls was an Olympic event, and have been at the forefront of the new school movement from the beginning, encouraging the energy and innovation of the next generation. Our terrain park is constantly evolving to help fuel this progression.”
This year Momentum will be adding a new 22-foot halfpipe with airbag, which the Canadian National Team will be using for training when not coaching. The pipe will be sculpted by World Championship pipe builder Tyson Goodrich. There will also be a second giant airbag in the “Jump Zone” and Momentum’s park will be designed and crafted by local pro skier Chris Turpin.
Momentum will again be offering a special Girls Week from July 1-9, which runs alongside the regular camp session, when they bring in some of the top female skiers in the world to mentor the girls, with added activities with a female focus.
Helping to celebrate their 20th year with a splash, they will again be hosting the “Momentum Splashdown” at the Whistler water ramp on July 5, from 4 to 6 p.m. This is a fun water ramp event, showcasing some of the world’s top pros and is a great spectacle for the community and visitors to watch.
Camps begin this Friday, June 17 with five sessions through to July 25, each session spanning seven to nine days. Accommodating both recreational and competitive youth or adult campers, Momentum Ski Camps is geared exclusively for skiers and offers either moguls, freeride (terrain park/slopestyle skiing) or the hybrid option, which provides three days of coaching in each discipline. Momentum’s terrain features are designed by skiers, for skiers providing an exclusive training ground built for the purpose of progressing their campers.
Momentum Ski Camps includes all inclusive packages with accommodation at the Blackcomb Lodge in Whistler Village, airport transfers to Whistler, lift tickets and three meals a day, including a “dine-around” dinner program so campers can experience Whistler’s cuisine. Skiing-only packages are also available. Off-snow activities include pro-level trampoline sessions, access to water ramp and foam pit training, as well as a host of other Whistler summer activities. For full details check out www.momentumcamps.com or call (800) 949-7949.