'Everyone is so stoked': WinSport invests in freestyle programming with new airbag

As you learn to stick the landing, you appreciate a soft landing.

One of the most exciting additions at WinSport this summer has been the arrival of a brand-new flat airbag for our off-season freestyle training facility.  

This is an important investment in athlete development and an essential tool for skiers and snowboarders looking to build skills, grow their confidence and practise the tricks they could eventually be executing in competitions.  

And the results from the judges are in …

“Everyone is so stoked,” said Jake Niwa, a shift lead in WinSport’s Sport department. “Even just awaiting its arrival, we were so happy.” 

WinSport is the only facility in Calgary with a flat airbag of this scale.  

That has long been the case, but the previous bag was due to be replaced.  

The new arrival was inflated for the first time in early July. It’s more durable, thanks to a thicker material, and has a raised bumper to enhance safety. The exit ramp is also an improvement. 

The measurements are similar to the old airbag — 50 x 50 feet — so it has been a seamless transition for athletes and coaches. 

“If we didn’t upgrade this bag, that training opportunity in Calgary could have been totally lost,” said Calvin Lovenuik, WinSport’s Manager, Clubs and Mountain Bike. “Anyone who used our site last year and has used our site this year, I imagine they would be incredibly excited about this. It’s quite a big upgrade.” 

It’s an upgrade that further strengthens WinSport’s position as a year-round hub for freestyle skiing and snowboarding. 

“The WinSport summer freestyle centre is a cornerstone of freestyle skiing in Alberta,” said Jeremy Cooper, Director of Sport and Development for Freestyle Alberta. “Athletes and coaches travel from across the province to access its world-class trampolines, dryslope features, and airbag training facilities. It provides a safe, progressive environment where athletes can learn, coaches can develop, and families can be part of the journey. Its impact on athlete development, community growth, and the future of freestyle skiing in Alberta cannot be overstated.” 

During a visit to WinSport in late July, Canada’s Secretary of State for Sport, Adam van Koeverden, toured the off-season freestyle training facility, which includes a rail park, twin-string trampolines and a super trampoline. 

Secretary of State van Koeverden, a four-time Olympic medallist during his competitive kayak career, was greeted by national-team freestyle skiers Elena Gaskell and Andrew Longino and even clipped in for a few runs of his own on the dryslope. 

He then watched as Gaskell and Longino — both represented Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy — hit the brand-new airbag. 

While it’s always amazing to see high-performance athletes doing their thing, this investment will be especially impactful for those at the developmental level, like camp and club participants. WinSport's fall and winter freestyle programs are now on sale and always fill up fast. 

“It’s perfect for any ski or snowboard athlete who just wants to keep up with their sport in the summer, and they don’t want that rust to build up,” Niwa said of the value of WinSport's off-season training facility. “The progression from going from trampoline right to airbag is exactly what any athlete should do. If they’re trying any new trick, any new flip or spin or anything like that, you can really build the progression from the absolute bottom on the trampoline, build, build, build, and then take it to the airbag. 

“It allows athletes to progress quickly but also progress safely.” 

Because until they can stick the landing, it’s nice to have a soft landing.