Andrew Baker is set to assume the role of president and CEO of Alpine Canada, aiming to lead the organization to success in the future. He will be taking over from Therese Brisson, who has moved on to become the CEO of Skate Canada after a six-year tenure. Baker, who previously held various positions at the Canadian Olympic Committee for over two decades, most recently serving as the COC’s chief external affairs officer, will officially join Alpine Canada in September.
Alpine Canada is responsible for overseeing alpine and Para alpine racing as well as ski cross in the country. With around 15,000 registered racers and 5,500 coaches in 200 clubs nationwide, as indicated in the organization’s 2025 annual report, Alpine Canada plays a pivotal role in the Canadian skiing landscape. Additionally, Alpine Canada hosts international World Cup races within Canada.
Notable upcoming events on the Alpine Canada calendar include two women’s giant slaloms scheduled for Mont-Tremblant, Que., in December and a World Cup ski cross event set for March at Craigleith in Ontario. As Baker joins Alpine Canada, the organization is gearing up for a new Olympic cycle leading to the 2030 Winter Games in the French Alps.
Baker, a 43-year-old from Montreal, was actively involved in advocating for increased core funding for national sport organizations during his time at the COC. The federal government recently announced a significant boost of $755 million in funding for high-performance sport over the next five years, with a subsequent annual allocation of $118 million.
Expressing his enthusiasm for his new role, Baker highlighted the rich history and current excellence within the sport of skiing in Canada, particularly praising the achievements in alpine, ski cross, and Para alpine disciplines. He emphasized the importance of funding and support for athletes to drive performance and inspire future generations.
Looking ahead, Alpine Canada aims to build on its successes outlined in the 2021-26 strategic plan, despite falling short of Olympic medals in alpine skiing and ski cross at the recent Milan Cortina Games. While Canadian Para alpine athletes secured a silver and four bronze medals in Italy, there is a continued focus on enhancing performance and achieving podium finishes in future competitions.
With an eye on the 2030 Winter Games, Alpine Canada is exploring opportunities to reintroduce men’s speed races following the conclusion of three decades of World Cup downhill and super-G events in Lake Louise, Alta. The organization is also set to benefit from additional government funding earmarked for hosting international sports events and upgrading training facilities across key locations in Canada.
Baker expressed confidence in the pipeline of talented athletes preparing for the 2030 Winter Games, emphasizing the importance of the recent government funding announcements in providing necessary resources for athlete development and infrastructure upgrades at national training centers.