Andrew Baker is set to take the helm as the upcoming president and CEO of Alpine Canada, succeeding Therese Brisson, who has moved on to lead Skate Canada after a six-year tenure. With a background spanning 21 years at the Canadian Olympic Committee, Baker most recently served as the COC’s chief external affairs officer before joining Alpine Canada in September.
Alpine Canada’s responsibilities encompass overseeing alpine and Para alpine racing, as well as ski cross, with a network of approximately 15,000 registered racers and 5,500 coaches across 200 clubs nationwide, as outlined in the organization’s 2025 annual report. Additionally, Alpine Canada hosts international World Cup races in Canada.
Upcoming events on the Alpine Canada calendar include women’s giant slaloms in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, and a World Cup ski cross at Craigleith, Ontario, scheduled for December and March, respectively. Baker’s arrival at Alpine Canada coincides with the beginning of preparations for the 2030 Winter Games in the French Alps.
Having played a key role in lobbying for increased core funding for national sport organizations during his time at the COC, Baker expressed enthusiasm for the future of sports in Canada, particularly within alpine, ski cross, and Para alpine disciplines. He highlighted the recent injection of $755 million by the federal government into high-performance sports over the next five years, with a commitment of $660 million allocated directly to national sport organizations like Alpine Canada.
Looking ahead, Baker emphasized the need to capitalize on the government funding to support athletes and inspire the next generation. While ski cross falls under the freestyle ski umbrella globally, Alpine Canada manages the sport domestically as a speed discipline.
Despite meeting its world championship and Olympic/Paralympic medal targets, Canada experienced a medal drought in alpine skiing and ski cross at the recent Milan Cortina Games. Para alpine athletes secured a silver and four bronze medals in Italy, showcasing a strong performance.
As Canada aims to build towards the 2030 Winter Games, discussions are ongoing regarding the hosting of men’s speed races on the West Coast, following the conclusion of the longstanding downhill races in Lake Louise. The federal government’s commitment to investing in international sports events, coupled with recent funding for alpine training center upgrades, positions Canadian athletes on a promising pathway towards success at the upcoming Winter Games.