Back in the Snow Rodeo saddle

It’s time to break out those (snow) boots!

As the holiday break concludes and a new year is ushered in, the sixth annual Snow Rodeo will make it a Wild West weekend at WinSport.

Freeski and snowboard athletes will be taking to the recently constructed halfpipe during this FIS World Cup event.

Spectators are welcome to attend at no cost. Training for both disciplines continues Wednesday (Dec. 31), with freeski qualifications taking place on Thursday (Jan 1) followed by snowboard qualifications on Friday. The finals for both freeski and snowboard will take place on Saturday.

Among Canada’s top snow sport athletes on display, eight of the 12 Canadians will be competing in front of a hometown crowd. Plus, this year’s Snow Rodeo is especially significant considering accumulated points will be used to qualify for February’s Winter Olympic Games in Italy.

Felicity Geremia, an 18-year-old snowboarding star, is no stranger to the WinSport halfpipe. Not only has she been riding it since she was eight years old, but it’s also where she was crowned 2025 Nor-Am Cup Champion.

Geremia will have her high school best friend, cousins, and other family members here to cheer her on towards her Olympic dream.

“Gotta do my best to try to get there,” says Geremia. “It’s unreal. You dream of (getting to the Olympics) for so long. It’s surreal. It would mean the world.”

Another local snowboarder looking for a strong start out of the chute is Ryan Vo. The 21-year-old finished in the top 25 at the 2025 World Championships.

This will be the third Snow Rodeo for Vo, who is also looking for a strong performance to help propel him into the upcoming Olympic Games.

“A lot of excitement,” says Vo. “I’m always happy and excited to compete here at home. I’m a big (Calgary) Flames fan, so I might be rocking a Flames jersey. I’m hoping for good conditions.”

Previous World Cup circuit stops this season for both Geremia and Vo were in China and Denver, and two more will soon follow in Aspen, Colo., and Laax, Switzerland.

Among the other Canadians in snowboarding are: Brooke D’Hondt (Calgary); Liam Gill (Calgary) and Elizabeth Hosking (Mille-Isles, QC).

On the ski side, Canada is represented by Andrew Longino (Calgary), Brendan MacKay (Calgary); Amy Fraser (Calgary); Dylan Marineau (Calgary); Rachel Karker (Guelph, Ont.), Cassie Sharpe (Comox, B.C.) and Dillan Glennie (Courtenay, B.C.).

As the remainder of the winter hill will still be open for public use, and with spaces needed for WinSport’s operational requirements, parking will be limited. However, free parking will be available in the Day Lodge parking lot, and parking will also up for grabs beside Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and in the West Overflow lot. Both additional options offer a complimentary shuttle service.

Once parked, anyone coming to check out the Snow Rodeo action can gather in the viewing area at bottom of the halfpipe. A beer garden will be located within, and an adjacent Market Village will feature multiple sponsor activations with complimentary hot drinks and swag giveaways.

For more Snow Rodeo information, including the complete schedule, please click here.