Alberta Youth Championships
XCBC’s annual Alberta Youth Championships take place at West Bragg Creek trails. This is the premiere event for youth skiers, providing an opportunity for them to stay in camp over the weekend, meet new skiers from other clubs and compete for club pride in three different ski events. AYC is often the highlight of youth skiers’ involvement in cross country skiing!
Details
Skiers will arrive at Camp Horizon on Friday night, and be bussed out to West Bragg Creek Trails Day Use Area to compete in a classic Kings Court sprint race and dress-up relay on Saturday followed by a banquet, DJ and guest speaker back at camp. Sunday features a wave start skate distance race and presentation of Club banners. Prizes are given for the top 10 finishers in each year of birth and every racer scores points for the Club aggregate awards (Small and Large Club banners up for grabs!). We want to see as many XCBC skiers take on this challenge!
Friday, March 1, 2024
- 5:00pm Race Course Closes
- 6:30pm – move in to Camp Horizon (Hwy 22 south of Bragg Creek, AB) https://easterseals.ab.ca/camp-horizon/
- 8:00pm – Team welcomes and introductions, snack, athlete social time
- 8:30pm – Team captains/coaches meeting; distribution of race bibs, start lists, course maps
Saturday, March 2, 2024
- 6:30-7:30am – breakfast at Camp Horizon
- 8:15am – first departure of two buses for West Bragg Creek ski trails; buses return to Camp Horizon for second load of athletes and coaches
- 9:15am – second (and final) departure of two buses for West Bragg Creek ski trails
- 10:00am – King’s Court classic race, AYC categories
- 1:30pm –team relays (with costumes)
- 2:45pm – end of competition, return to Camp Horizon by bus
- 4:30pm – coaches meeting
- 5:45pm – AYC banquet at Camp Horizon: meal and awards
- 8:00 pm – DJ and dance, coaches social
- 9:30pm – end of program
Sunday, March 3, 2024
- 6:30-7:30am – breakfast at Camp Horizon
- 8:00am – move out of camp
- 8:30am – departure for West Bragg Creek ski trails (no buses on Sunday)
- 8:45-9:00am – arrival at West Bragg Creek ski trails
- 9:30am – seeded wave freestyle race (groups of 6 athletes; 30-second intervals – based on Saturday’s results from King’s Court classic race)
- 12:00pm – individual awards
- 1:00pm – departure from West Bragg Creek for home
Download Packing List PDF
Packing List for Skiers at Alberta Youth Champs 2023
All items should be clearly marked with the skier’s name.
- Sleeping bag o Pillow o Bottom sheet for mattress (optional)
- Pajamas, change of underwear, change of socks (no cotton if possible)
- Favourite stuffie (optional �)
- Toiletries – toothbrush and toothpaste, etc.
- Towel
- Headlamp
- Earplugs if you have trouble sleeping in group environments(especially useful for chaperones)
- Swimsuit (optional – for showers)
- Ski clothes:
- Long underwear
- Middle layer
- Club jacket
- Gloves and/or mitts
- Socks (cotton-free)
- Hat/toque (bring several)
- Race suit (if you have one)
- Buff/neck tube (bring several)
- Warm-up pants
- Skis
- Ski boots
- Ski poles
- Water bottle
- Watch
- Hand and toe warmers (optional)
- “Street clothes” (non-ski clothes for the dance on Saturday night)
- Warm ski jacket
- Small backpack to transport snacks, water, boots and additional clothing layers to race site (such as dry socks and sparetuque)
- Reusable mug for hot chocolate
- Relay costume
We suggest that you leave pocket knives, electronics, money and other valuables at home. (Note: There is very limited cell service in West Bragg Creek at the trail system).
Camp Horizon is strictly nut-free. Please DO NOT send any snacks or foods containing peanuts or nuts with your skier.
To Camp Horizon/Camp Easter Seals
From highway 1
Turn south at Hwy 22 exit and follow road 7km to traffic circle, continue past traffic circle and follow highway 22 for 14km, turn right on Highway 66, drive 7km, turn left on Camp Horizon road for 500 metres.
From Hwy 8
Take Hwy 8 west until traffic circle, take Hwy #22 (Bragg Creek/Cowboy trail), and follow highway 22 for 14km, turn right on Highway 66, drive 7km, turn left on Camp Horizon road for 500 metres.
From Hwy 22x
Take Hwy 22X (it will turn into 22, then turns into Highway 66) at the 22/22x intersection continue West/straight for 7km on Highway 66, turn left on Camp Horizon road for 500 metres.
Registration
Registration Now Closed
**Please note**
- It is expected that skiers will stay overnight at Camp Horizon and participate in all 3 races.
- Single-day registration is not available.
- There is no prorated fee if your child does not want to stay in camp.
- Skiers must have access to both classic and skate equipment. The club does not provide equipment.
- The skier or their club is responsible for waxing their own skis.
- Registration is open to any member of a club who is born in the years listed below. Skiers do not have to be in a competitive program, but racing experience is helpful.
- Racing up is not allowed. Younger skiers will get their turn in the years to come.
Eligible age groups for males and females are:
- 2010 (U14)
- 2011 (U14)
- 2012 (U12)
- 2013 (U12)
AYC Event Hoody
For those who missed the option to buy a 2024 Alberta Youth Championships hoodie, there is now a link to Zone4 2024 AYC Hoody Order. We have added adult sizes for the older kids—designed by Lily Sundholm.
They come in ten colours and cost $39 each.
Want to Get Involved?
Running this event involves a huge number of volunteers. There’s a role for everyone to shine in on this list. Online sign-up will be available closer to event date.
Event Sponsors
Best Little Wordhouse in the West
Hooked on Bragg
Degraff’s Hat Store
Stone Willow
Salomon
Redwood Meadows
XC Bragg Creek
XC Bragg Creek is a family oriented cross country ski and cross country mountain biking club serving the Greater Bragg Creek community. XC Bragg Creek is built on the following beliefs:
Contact Us
Join Our Club!
Register for the XC Program
Register for the Biathlon Program
Purchase an XCBC Club Membership
Please note that our program registrations are a tiered sign up process allowing previous members priority registration to ensure that they can continue their growth & commitment in our program. New members are welcome to join the club and attend group rides (REC bike) if program classes are full, allowing fun for all.
Please email the program director to be put on a mailing list for future programs and make note of which program you are interested in (x-country ski youth/adult and/or youth mountain bike).