Canmore set the standards with a Para World Cup stop powered by volunteers and community outreach

Canmore has long been a cornerstone of winter sport, an affinity that dates back to 1988 when it was selected for the Winter Olympics. Along with Calgary, it quickly became the heart of the sporting spectacle and soon one of the most sought-after venues for FIS disciplines.

More recently, it has been integral to the Para World Cup, particularly for Cross-Country events. The Nordic Center there has become increasingly popular for attending athletes who – in their end of season surveys – picked it as their favorite stop of the campaign.

It is the kind of recognition that wouldn’t be possible without the help of volunteers, whose efforts in the planning and delivering this World Cup stop were invaluable. 353 volunteers helped bring events – including in the Biathlon – to life at Canmore, 186 of whom specifically focused on Cross-Country supported by 20 volunteer managers.

39 of those lent a helping hand for the very first time, already eager to return for future stops, while 19 dedicated helpers self-identified as having worked at 10 or more World Cups. Undeterred by an unseasonably warm November, roughly 230 volunteers accumulated around 4,530 hours of work between them, a show of real commitment to the sport and its athletes.

It is a particularly special stop for Canadian competitors, who relish the chance to compete on home snow. It shows, too, with 20 of the medals on offer won by Team Canada.

“Racing at home is one of the most special and unique experiences,” said four-time Paralympic medalist Brittany Hudak, in the venue’s impact report. “I love when we have an opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd because it feels advantageous to have that extra support from our community.

“I feel more energized and excited to race at home knowing that we have friends and family there rooting for us. It means a lot to be able to share a part of our ski community with the other nations competing and it puts me at ease to be home.

“I am so grateful for the event organizers and the amazing volunteers we have in Canmore that truly make home events so much fun.”

What has been achieved at Canmore over the last season, and further back, goes far beyond the courses forged. The impact it has had is measured in a few ways, though community outreach is undoubtedly at the heart of it.

Through specific initiatives, volunteers and officials at the venue were able to mobilize almost 8,000 hours of community dedication and inspire over 800 local school students through inclusive outreach activities.

A reach of 400,000+ across digital and social media shows the global impact of the events, bringing the best moments to fans across the world.

The team at Canmore also showcased their commitment to sustainability, working towards their zero-waste initiative which served as a flagship of the event’s environmental strategy. Overall, they achieved a 96% landfill diversion rate, way beyond their 85% target, making a 10% improvement on their previous events – thanks once again to the efforts of volunteers.

Waste-management stations were deployed daily across three high-traffic areas, with volunteers actively educating participants, spectators, and suppliers on waste separation to maximize the diversion.

“The success of Para snow sports is measured not only by athletic excellence, but by the positive impact it creates for society, our communities, and the future of winter sport,” said Dimitrije Lazarovski, FIS Director for Development Programs.

“An integral part of FIS, Para snow sports continue to demonstrate that inclusion, innovation, and high performance go hand in hand.

“The FIS Para Cross-Country World Cup in Canmore set a new benchmark for the delivery of [these events], showcasing how world-class competition can generate meaningful economic value, strengthen local communities, and leave a lasting social legacy.”

The stop at Canmore has also demonstrated the kind of economic value that Para snow sports can bring to host regions.

Between both Cross-Country and Biathlon, the numbers behind these events exceeded initial projections, providing a notable boost during what is typically a quieter season for tourism and local businesses.

After generating significant commercial activity, the overall impact figure reached $4.9M, driving $3.7M in Alberta and – crucially – $3.2M directly back into the Canmore community. Success on the snow validated the $27.1M worth of infrastructure upgrades and investment in the new Biathlon building.  

Much of what was reinvested into the community was possible due to just over 1,500 out-of-town visitors who were drawn to Canmore for these events, helping not only local restaurants and grocery stores, but retail and recreational businesses too. Each event also contributed to employment, making 15 local jobs across Alberta.

“Canmore has proven once again that Para snow sports can have a positive economic impact,” said Urs Lehmann, interim Secretary General at FIS. “These events have shown how inclusion, community engagement, and high-level sport can strengthen our local economies.

“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with local organizing committees like Canmore to ensure that this positive impact becomes the standard for future Para World Cup stops.”

Canmore is a stop that has continuously gone above and beyond for the growth of Para snow sports, with the promise of even more successful World Cup stops soon.