Para Snowboard team Trains At Big White

Canada Snowboard announced today that Big White Ski Resort will be the official home training centre for its National Para Snowboard team heading into the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

“It’s the beginning of what we hope will be a long partnership,” said Candice Drouin, head coach of Canada’s national Para Snowboard team. “The facilities and the courses here are outstanding.

They put a lot of care into making sure everything is right for us.”

Big White has already played an important part in the progression of Para Snowboard by hosting the 2013 International Paralympic Committee Para Snowboard World Cup.

The resort will include access to training facilities so that snowboarders can use their Best Snowboards and get in some practice, provide accommodation for athletes and coaches and make it easy for team officials to work with local restaurants for team meal plans.

“Big White Ski Resort is thrilled to be able to host promising young Canadians on their quest for Paralympic gold,” said Michael Ballingall, senior vice president, sales and marketing for Big White. “We couldn’t be prouder as a community to offer our home to these athletes and assist wherever possible to get them to the podium in Sochi. We welcome them all with open arms.”

Drouin has been amazed by the entire community reception. Big White is a small village about 60 kilometres from Kelowna.

“We’ve had people donate their condos to the athletes and coaches leading up to the Games,” she said. “It is very generous and helps us keep the costs down for athletes.”

Para Snowboard was officially added to the 2014 Paralympics Games in May 2012 after years of effort on the part of Canada Snowboard and the rest of the snowboarding community.

Canada’s four-member national team is led by 2009 Para Snowboard World Champion Tyler Mosher of Whistler.

Also on the squad are Michelle Salt of Calgary, John Leslie of Arnprior (Ont) and Ian Lockey of Trail.