MY SUMMER SKI CAMP: PART ONE

12th July 2018 | Kirsty Muir, Whistler, BC

Last modified on January 26th, 2023

Young freestyle skier Kirsty Muir has arrived in Canada for a training camp at Whistler. She’s keeping a diary for PlanetSKI.

The 14-year-old from Aberdeen is on the camp after winning a scholarship in memory of the Canadian freestyle skier, Sarah Burke, who died after a crash in training in 2012.

PlanetSKI had already identified her as one to watch and has been keeping a close eye on her achievements:

Two Of The Best

The first part of Kirsty’s diary begins as the excitement builds after her selection as the winner of the Spirit Of Sarah scholarship at Momentum Camps……

Winning this scholarship is an incredible honour.

Sarah Burke was such an inspirational person and to celebrate her legacy in a scholarship is amazing.

When I found out I had won the scholarship I was very shocked but also super excited for what was to come.

It was pretty busy getting ready to leave for Canada.

I finished up school for the summer on Friday and flew out to Canada early Monday.

I had an extra helper to pack but I think she hoped to come too.

Can I come too? Image © Kirsty Muir

Mum and I began our long journey from Aberdeen airport.

On my way. Image © Kirsty Muir

Our first stop was Amsterdam where we had a few hours between flights.

A few hours to kill. Image © Kirsty Muir

I have never been on a long haul flight before and I wondered how the hours would pass.

A great selection of films certainly helped.

The view from the plane was absolutely amazing.

Seat with a view. Image © Kirsty Muir

We stayed in Vancouver for one night before heading back to the airport to transfer up to Whistler.

We got a couple of hours sightseeing before we got the transfer on Tuesday, taking in the Waterfront area.

Sightseeing in Vancouver. Image © Kirsty Muir

We got a front seat on the Canada line sky train through Vancouver and it felt like a rollercoaster.

As everyone arrived for the transfer, I have never seen so many Douchebag ski and travel bags in one place before.

The weather was sunny and we were told the forecast for the week ahead was bluebird.

It was a stunningly beautiful transfer to Whistler, passing the entrance to Stanley Park as we left Vancouver, along the sea to sky highway, past Squamish and on up to Whistler.

Coming off the bus everyone was met by Julia Smart of Momentum Ski Camp and we were assigned our rooms.

We had some time to explore before the welcome meeting in the evening.

I even got to see the Olympic rings from the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Kirsty Muir with the Olympic rings at Whistler

The welcome meeting was hosted by John Smart and was full of famous freestyle faces who would be our coaches in the week ahead: Cassie Sharpe, Taylor Lundquist, Joss Christensen, Magnus Granér, to name a few.

Sadly Woodsy (GB’s James Woods) left that morning but had been here for 3 weeks.

Kelly and Henri Sildaru and Jenni Lee Burmanson are also at Momentum Ski Camp this week and I hope to see them skiing.

After the meeting it was off to get organised for the first day on the hill and then time for bed.

Although tired, I was much too excited about the day ahead to sleep.