Andrew Baker is set to take the helm as the next president and chief executive officer of Alpine Canada, aiming to capitalize on his past contributions. He will succeed Therese Brisson, who recently transitioned to the role of CEO at Skate Canada after six years with Alpine Canada.
Having served various roles at the Canadian Olympic Committee for over two decades, Baker most recently held the position of the COC’s chief external affairs officer. He is scheduled to commence his role at Alpine Canada in September.
Alpine Canada is responsible for overseeing alpine and Para alpine racing as well as ski cross activities. The organization manages approximately 15,000 registered racers and 5,500 coaches across 200 clubs nationwide, as outlined in its 2025 annual report. Additionally, Alpine Canada hosts international World Cup races in Canada.
Noteworthy events on the horizon include two women’s giant slaloms in Mont-Tremblant, Que., scheduled for December, and a World Cup ski cross event planned for March at Craigleith in Ontario. Baker’s appointment comes at the onset of a new Olympic cycle leading up to the 2030 Winter Games in the French Alps.
A key focus of Baker’s previous work at the COC involved lobbying for increased core funding for national sport organizations. The federal government recently announced a substantial investment of $755 million in high-performance sport over the next five years, followed by $118 million annually thereafter. A significant portion of this funding, amounting to $660 million over five years and $110 million annually afterward, is earmarked for organizations like Alpine Canada.
Reflecting on his new role, Baker expressed enthusiasm for the sport’s rich history of excellence and its potential for future success. He highlighted the importance of adequately funding and supporting athletes to inspire the next generation, a mission he is eager to pursue at Alpine Canada.
While ski cross falls under the freestyle ski umbrella internationally, Alpine Canada manages the sport domestically as a speed discipline. The organization met its targets for world championships and Olympic and Paralympic medals outlined in its 2021-26 strategic plan. However, Canada did not secure any Olympic medals in alpine skiing or ski cross at the recent Milan Cortina Games, marking a departure from previous Games where Canadians had consistently performed well in ski cross.
Looking ahead to 2030, Alpine Canada is exploring new opportunities following the conclusion of World Cup downhill and super-G races in Canada. The federal government’s additional investment in hosting international sports events, along with funding for training center upgrades, bodes well for Canadian athletes preparing for the upcoming Winter Games. Baker emphasized the importance of providing resources and infrastructure to support athletes on their journey to success in 2030.