Budding Bow Valley alpine superstars Trevor Philp and Erik Read spent the week working on slalom turns at Sunshine Village, and were also on hand at Mount Norquay as part of a new run announcement.
The Banff Alpine Racers alumni will form an integral part of Canada’s technical team next season, and took advantage of the Sunshine camp to lay the groundwork for a push to the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
“At this point in the season, after a year of racing, you are at your best. I feel like I am at a high level right now. To train at that level really pays off. It’s very effective,” Philp said, a part-time Canmore resident.
“This is one of the resorts I grew up at. The spring skiing is amazing. The morning is a great time to work on everything because the snow is so responsive. As the snow changes through the day, it’s a good chance to work on equipment and balance,” said Read, who is back on the national team and was recently named NCAA male skier of the year.
Slicing through slalom and giant slalom turns, both men are painstakingly precise in their movements. Even though they are eight months away from world cup action, the level of focus in training the two exhibit is very strong
“It’s important to be so deliberate every day on snow. Trevor and I take that approach into every camp. You absolutely have to make the best of it,” Read said.
“This is a good time to step back and focus on technical things,” Philp said. “The morning snow is quite hard, which is my strength, but by the end of the morning, it is quite soft.”
The duo is usually left hunting for snow in Chile or Argentina in summer, so home camps are always a bonus. Philp spent three weeks training in the Bow Valley, while Read shuffled back and forth between Banff and Colorado. Read spent some time off hiking mountains in Kananaskis, while Philp hit the gym.
“Being able to go home on days off, that’s huge. To go home and relax and turn the brain off is a big deal,” Read said.
While in town, they both were able to visit Mount Norquay to assist with the naming of a new run – Silver Legacy. The run is partially a tribute to their own career, as well as that of Banff’s Jan Hudec. Read and Philp said they love to give back to the community whenever they are in town, as the Bow Valley has helped them during their career.
“It’s awesome what they have done there. Having the full slope that works around the public is great. When we grew up, we had Thomas Grandi to look up to, and raced on the run ‘Giver Grandi.’ Hopefully, we can have the same legacy,” Read said.
“To have this recognition is more of an honour,” Philp said.
Both skiers said BAR has helped them out considerably, as has the greater Bow Valley ski community. Both are in touch with Grandi through the year, and Read said when he was left off the team, it was local families who helped him out.
The pair hope to pass that on, and are already helping out speedy younger siblings, who are hot on their tails and charging hard for national team starts. Noah Philp is one of Canada’s top prospects, while Kevyn Read is charging up the college ranks. Both older siblings said it’s important for young skiers to keep everything in perspective.
“Enjoy it, but keep the big picture in mind. When it comes down to it, you won’t get better unless you’re having a good time. Set your goals – that is where motivation comes day in, day out,” Read said.
“Remember, it’s all a step by step process. Right now, when you’re six, eight or 10 years old it seems like a big step to be on the national team, but it’s actually just one step at a time,” Philp said.
