Andrew Baker is set to take on the role of president and CEO of Alpine Canada, succeeding Therese Brisson, who has moved on to lead Skate Canada after a six-year tenure. With 21 years of experience at the Canadian Olympic Committee, most recently as the COC’s chief external affairs officer, Baker will join Alpine Canada in September.
Alpine Canada manages alpine and Para alpine racing as well as ski cross, overseeing approximately 15,000 registered racers and 5,500 coaches in 200 clubs nationwide, as per the organization’s 2025 annual report. The organization also hosts international World Cup races in Canada.
Upcoming events include women’s giant slaloms in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, in December, and a World Cup ski cross at Craigleith in Ontario in March. Baker’s appointment coincides with the start of preparations for the 2030 Winter Games in the French Alps.
The 43-year-old from Montreal played a key role in lobbying for increased core funding for national sport organizations during his time at the COC. The federal government recently announced a $755 million injection into high-performance sport over the next five years, with a subsequent annual funding of $118 million.
Expressing enthusiasm for the future of Canadian sports, Baker highlighted the tradition of excellence in alpine sports and the current high standards in alpine, ski cross, and Para alpine disciplines. He emphasized the importance of funding and support for athletes to inspire the next generation.
While ski cross falls under the freestyle ski category globally, Alpine Canada oversees it domestically as a speed discipline. The organization achieved its world championship and Olympic/Paralympic medal targets outlined in its 2021-26 strategic plan, despite not securing any Olympic medals in alpine skiing or ski cross at the recent Milan Cortina Games.
Looking ahead to 2030, Alpine Canada aims to regain its hosting status for World Cup downhill and super-G races, with potential venues in Whistler or Panorama, British Columbia. The federal government’s additional funding for hosting international sports events and upgrading training centers bodes well for Canadian athletes’ preparation for future competitions.