For Sara Hempen, a dedicated volunteer with the Edmonton Freestyle Ski Club, skill building and community bonding are two major byproducts of a successful club and are driving forces for Edmonton’s only freestyle club.
The EFSC club was founded in 1994 – first as the Northern Alberta Freestyle Club and then rebranded in 2012 as the Edmonton Freestyle Ski Club – and welcomes skiers of all abilities, ages 6 to 18.
“Many of our athletes start as young kids and grow with us through the program … some go on to specialize in specific freestyle disciplines while others choose to spend their entire skiing journey with us,” she said.
We asked Sara a few questions prior to the 2024-25 season:
Mission & Values: What is the club’s main mission or philosophy when it comes to skiing & community?
Our mission is to provide engaging and challenging freestyle skiing programs that inspire athletes of all levels to surpass their personal goals. We’re committed to developing competitive athletes and equipping them with the skills and confidence to succeed at every level of competition.
Activities & Events: What regular events or activities does the club organize?
EFSC hosts a club-level freestyle competition every other year, alternating with our sister team, Twatinaw Valley Freeskierz. In 2025, it’s our turn to host, and we’re thrilled to bring the “Showdown at the Ridge” to life this March. Additionally, we organize a fun, internal competition to help younger or newer athletes experience their first taste of competing in a supportive environment.
Skill Development: How does the club support the development of skiing skills?
EFSC has historically attracted younger and beginner-intermediate athletes, but we’re expanding our programs to support athletes at every stage of their freestyle skiing journey. Our goal is to create opportunities for athletes to stay with EFSC until they’re ready to transition to provincial teams. This includes traveling to train at diverse venues, enhancing our coaching programs, and investing in infrastructure like our brand-new on-snow progression airbag debuting for the 2024/2025 season.
Community Involvement: How does the club engage with the local community or contribute to winter sports awareness?
As Edmonton’s only freestyle ski team, we actively collaborate with local businesses like The Skiers Sportshop to promote winter sports. We’ve also built strong ties with teams in Northern Alberta, sharing resources like coaches with the Tawatinaw Valley Freeriderz and participating in training at Evolution Freestyle. Many of our parents volunteer there, helping build accessible summer training opportunities for athletes.
Memorable Moments: Can you share one of the most memorable experiences the club has had during a ski trip?
Our spring and fall mountain camps are unforgettable highlights for our athletes and families. Beyond the thrill of mountain skiing and daring cliff jumps, athletes often talk about the fun they have swimming in hotel pools and gathering for pizza parties, making these camps a perfect mix of skill-building and community bonding.
Thank you Sara for all your hard work. Good luck this season to the Edmonton Freestyle Ski Club!
EFSC Website