Dear Members,

In light of the abrupt announced closure of WB for the remainder of the season, we want to ensure you that we are reviewing all opportunities available to engage with our racers.

Over the last couple of days Dale, Richard, the coaching team and I have been taking down all the nets on the training center and readying it for next season. Certainly not how any one of us had planned on ending the ski season!

As you all know the current Covid numbers in Whistler are not good. We want to support the community during this period and will therefore pause our activities for the weekend ahead. During this pause the Lead Coaches, Richard and I will spend the time to develop a game plan going forward for April.

We will have a program and each Lead coach will send out a communique early next week in their weekly update.

We appreciate your patience as we determine the best plan for our athletes going forward.

Regards,

Bob

Unfortunately we have just been informed that WB is closed for the season. Rest assured the Board and I will be working on the impact this will have on the Club. Once we have a plan defined, we will be back to you with details.

Thank you again for your support and patience throughout the entire season; this was not the way we had envisioned the season ending.

Regards,

Bob

Due to the closure of Whistler Blackcomb Mountain, we are cancelling the EL and Plan a Practice course.

All fees will be refunded and the course will be rescheduled for a later date.

By now you all have seen the news regarding WB closing until April 19th. We are in touch with the Mountain to determine what programming may be possible post April 19th. There is no doubt that WB will need some time to formulate their plans going forward. Once we are made aware of the plan we will communicate back to the membership.

Regards,

Bob

p>. March 25, 2021

​Dear WMSC Members, Athletes, Alumni, Coaches and Staff:

Mike Janyk Appointed Executive Director

The Board of Directors of Whistler Mountain Ski Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Janyk to succeed Bob Armstrong as the club’s Executive Director effective May 15th, 2021.

​Mike is well known in the Whistler, BC, Canadian and International ski racing community. Mike is a three-time Olympian and spent nine years racing on the World Cup circuit as a member of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team.

​For the past 5 years, Mike has been Program Director of the Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club where he successfully managed the ski racing program for over 300 U8 to FIS athletes with a staff of over 50 coaches. During this time Mike has also worked as a performance coach with the BC Alpine Ski Team.

Prior to running the Tyee program, Mike was a co-founder of the Mike and Manny Foundation, which provided an annual four day ski camp with all expenses covered for 10-15 young ski racers from across Canada. From 2011 to 2015, he was also a member of the FIS Athlete Commission which represented and advocated for the athletes within the international FIS organization.

​The WMSC Board was quite excited when the opportunity presented itself to have Mike take on the Executive Director role at WMSC. Mike’s World Cup experience speaks for itself, however, it is Mike’s five years as Tyee’s Program Director, proving his ability to manage a ski racing development program to the highest standards that makes Mike the perfect candidate for this role at WMSC. Taking on the Executive Director role at WMSC is a natural progression for Mike and it positions the Club with a leader who can take the Club to the next level in the decade ahead. Particularly as we come out of the challenging global pandemic period, it’s exciting to look forward with renewed excitement to next season.

​Contemplating his return to WMSC, Mike said “When I retired from my racing career, I spent time reflecting on the power of sport and the potential of using a well-being centered approach. Tyee was such a great opportunity to practice these theories, routinely using reflection, recognition and sharing to improve how we coach, what we coach and why we coach. As a kid coming through the WMSC, I was given an outlet, framework and sense of community which had an overwhelming positive effect on me. Now being in a position to return these gifts, feels humbling, exciting and one to take with care. It feels pretty cool to come home.”

Lastly, on behalf of the Board of Directors and everyone at WMSC, we would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Bob Armstrong for his leadership and guidance as Executive Director over this very difficult past year. The challenges the Club faced this past year were unprecedented and Bob has guided the Club with his wisdom, hard work and his unique warmth and humour, in what has been a very difficult period in all of our lives. This is the second time Bob has stepped in as Executive Director and Bob wants everyone to know he is not going anywhere; he will be happily going back to his role as sponsorship manager and coach. We encourage all members and athletes to take a moment to thank Bob personally for all his efforts and commitment to the Club over the years.

​Please join me in welcoming Mike Janyk as the new Executive Director of Whistler Mountain Ski Club!

On Behalf of the Board
WHISTLER MOUNTAIN SKI CLUB

Robert Toole
Chair