Introducing Rising Alpine Canada Ski Team Star Britt Richardson

Post Hotel & Spa is thrilled to announce its sponsorship of the talented Canadian skier, Britt Richardson. At just 20 years old, Richardson has already made a significant mark in the world of alpine skiing, showcasing exceptional skill and determination. As she embarks on her third season on the World Cup stage, Post Hotel & Spa is excited to support her journey and witness her continued success.

In the 2021-22 season, Richardson participated in three World Cup races and achieved an impressive second-place ranking in the Nor-Am Cup standings. Notably, she earned her first World Cup points with a 22nd-place giant slalom finish in Kranjska Gora, SLO. Her sophomore World Cup season saw further advancement, with Richardson finishing second in the Nor-Am GS standings and securing points in Kranjska Gora with a 24th-place finish. The highlight of her career so far came at the 2023 World Championships, where she won a bronze medal with Team Canada in the team parallel event in Courchevel-Meribel, FRA.

Preceding her third season in 2023-24, Richardson spent time in South America, winning an August downhill on the South American Cup in La Parva, Chile. Her goal for the upcoming season is to achieve more regular Top 30 World Cup finishes.

Amidst the whirlwind of her achievements, we sat down with Britt Richardson to delve into the roots of her passion and her unique connection to Post Hotel & Spa.

“I was born and raised in Canmore, Alberta. I’m lucky to call this place home and live surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. It’s a really lovely place to live. Having access to so many different ski hills and mountains right in my backyard and being able to go out just half an hour away or an hour away to be able to ski is so awesome.”

For Richardson, the mountains have been more than a backdrop; they've been sculptors of her character. Growing up in the shadows of these colossal peaks, she found joy in the simple, yet profound pleasures of outdoor pursuits.

“Growing up in the mountains and going hiking, biking, skiing, anything in the outdoors, is what I really enjoy and it’s kind of where I get to find happiness every day. So being so close to this and having access to all of it, every day, is just super special.”

Her love affair with skiing began at an astonishingly young age. At 18 months old, she was already gliding on snow, setting the stage for a lifelong passion.

“I started skiing when I was 18 months old, I’m pretty sure it was before I could even talk or walk but my parents threw me on skis and said ‘Good Luck’!”

The transition from a recreational skier to a competitive racer happened at the age of nine when Richardson joined the Lake Louise Ski Club.

“One of my first races was the Doug Meyers Invitational right here at Lake Louise. Right from then I just loved pushing out of the gate and going as hard as I could and trying to go from point A to point B as fast as I could. I fell in love with ski racing right from then.”

Despite the rigorous demands of ski racing, Richardson finds beauty in every aspect of skiing

“I love everything about skiing. Even on the tough days, there’s so many good things about it and there’s just such an enjoyment from every day I get to spend doing it.”

Lake Louise, with its diverse terrain and breathtaking vistas, holds a special place in Richardson's heart.

“Some of my favourite memories at Lake Louise are just ripping around following my friends in the trees and laughing as we’re skiing down. It amazes me every time I’m here with the views. It’s just such a special place to ski, they’ve got amazing runs and a good variety of everything. It’s good for beginners, good for powder skiing, good for tree skiing, park, everything! I spent every weekend here skiing around with my friends and family and just enjoying the powder, skiing the backside, hitting ER 3 as soon as the lift opened until right when it closed and just loving every second of it.”

In the midst of snowy adventures, Post Hotel & Spa became more than just a luxury accommodation—it became a part of Richardson's cherished memories

“I remember when I was younger coming to Post Hotel and having dinner here with my friends and family after a long day of skiing and enjoying a nice burger and the incredible food that they have here. It was a really good way to finish off a perfect day of skiing. We also had a family reunion here a couple of summers ago. So my grandma and grandpa and my cousins and my aunts and uncle all came here and spent four days doing things locally around Lake Louise like hiking and walking around as well as spending a lot of time right here in the hotel. It was just such a great experience."

The sponsorship from Post Hotel & Spa holds profound significance for Richardson, creating a bridge between her roots in Lake Louise and the global stage where she now competes.

“I’m so grateful to have the support from Post Hotel this year, knowing that where I grew up and so much time that I spent was right here at Lake Louise, being able to have that with me while I’m traveling the world and the support is really special. It’s one of the most beautiful hotels I’ve been to, and I’ve spent a lot of time in hotels around the world. The people are also so welcoming and so nice, and it’s just such a cozy place to come right after skiing.”

One of here favourite achievements, a bronze medal victory with Team Canada in the team parallel event at the 2023 World Championships in Courchevel-Meribel, Franc, is a source of immense pride for the young athlete.

"One of my biggest achievements was coming third at the World Championships in the team event. I think it was just a really cool experience where we kind of saw that Canada can be the best in the world in skiing. All the work that we’ve put in year and year is paying off, and we’re able to compete at the highest level."

Transitioning from achievements to aspirations, Britt Richardson shared her ambitions while being on the Alpine Canada Ski Team.

"My goal is to be an Olympic Medalist and to be an overall Crystal Globe winner. An overall Crystal Globe winner is the accumulation of all the races throughout the season added up, and then whoever gets the most points wins. I try to just push myself and find the limits every day.”

The experience of representing Canada on the world stage is profoundly meaningful for Britt.

"I love being in Europe and having the maple leaf on my back. Anyone that sees that we’re Canadian walking around, they’re like 'oh Canadians, you guys are so nice.' I feel really proud to be representing Canada on the World Cup stage. There’s such great support back home here, and I love making my supporters really proud when I’m out racing”.

For Richardson, success is not just measured by podium finishes but by the effort invested in each race.

"Going out and trying my absolute best is what I define as success because not every day is going to be a perfect day. Throughout my career, there’s going to be lots of ups and downs, but if I have done everything that I can, then to me, that’s success,"

In the realm of alpine skiing, where precision and speed intertwine, Britt Richardson stands as a beacon of Canadian excellence. As she carves her path, Richardson's story becomes not just a personal triumph but a testament to the indomitable spirit of Canadian athletes pursuing greatness on the world stage.

Britt’s passion fuels our collective pursuit of greatness here at Post Hotel and Spa, and we take pride in being a supportive backdrop to her journey.

Renee Stevens, Assistant General Manager of Post Hotel & Spa, reflects on Britt's impact, noting, "As one of the youngest skiers on the Alpine Canada team, Britt transcends being merely an athlete; she is an inspiration. Her journey, marked by resilience and determination, serves as a motivating force for our entire team. It exemplifies that the pursuit of our own dreams and passions with an unwavering spirit is not only possible but well within our reach."

Aligning with our belief that Post Hotel & Spa is so much more than a place to stay; it's a place where dreams and aspirations are nurtured, where excellence is celebrated, and where the unwavering commitment to greatness mirrors the spirit of athletes like Britt Richardson. As she continues to make Canada proud on the international stage, we eagerly anticipate witnessing her triumphs in the 2024 season and beyond.

For more information and updates on Britt Richardson, follow her journey on social media.

@_britt.richardson_ on Instagram