A Tremblant athlete ambassador since 2024 and a PwC Tremblant World Cup Youth Ambassador, Philip-Xavier Chagnon shares his passion for alpine skiing and his deep connection to the mountain where he grew as an athlete. Through his experience at the heart of this world-class event, he reflects on the highlights of his role as an ambassador, the importance of the World Cup to the Tremblant community, and its inspiring impact on the next generation of Canadian alpine skiers.
What Does It Mean to Be a Tremblant PwC World Cup Youth Ambassador?
The Youth Ambassador team is made up of eight young athletes who share a passion for alpine skiing and a common goal: to create a welcoming, dynamic, and inclusive atmosphere for the next generation of Quebec and Canadian alpine skiers during the Tremblant World Cup.Above all, our role is to bring young people closer to this world-class event and give them the opportunity to experience the World Cup as more than just spectators.
This year marks my second experience as a Youth Ambassador, and I can honestly say that the role goes far beyond what you might imagine. Our days start as early as 8 a.m. in the cold Quebec winter, but that certainly doesn’t stop us from keeping the excitement going! Between bringing the Youth Zone at the base of the racecourse to life, creating content for social media, giving interviews, and interacting with spectators, our days are packed! But what makes this experience truly exceptional is the incredible access we have to the event and the athletes. I’ve had the opportunity to meet some of the world’s top female skiers, talk with them, and experience moments I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid.
Being a Youth Ambassador means having a front-row seat to one of the greatest spectacles our sport has to offer, while also having the opportunity to contribute to its success. It’s hard to describe what it feels like to be at the heart of a World Cup event, surrounded by the world’s best athletes, on a mountain where I’ve spent so much of my life training and competing. There’s something truly magical about watching a place that’s so familiar to us transform, for one weekend, into a world-class stage showcasing the very best of alpine skiing.
Beyond all these experiences, what I find particularly rewarding is being able to share this passion with the young people who come to watch the races. As athletes, we know just how meaningful a simple encounter or a moment spent close to our idols can be. Our mission is to pass that magic on to the next generation, make them feel like they’re part of the event too, and who knows, perhaps inspire the future stars of Canadian alpine skiing.
What Impact Does an Event of This Magnitude Have on Our Community?
Hosting an event of the magnitude of the Alpine Ski World Cup at Tremblant is, above all, a tremendous recognition of our mountain and our community.It’s an incredible opportunity to showcase Tremblant’s facilities, expertise, and passion for hosting the world’s best female skiers as part of the most prestigious circuit in our sport. It’s a tremendous source of pride, not only for the resort but also for everyone who grew up skiing right here.
Beyond the international recognition, I believe the greatest impact of this event is felt by the next generation of skiers, the young athletes who get to witness it all firsthand, right here at home. For them, having the chance to watch the world’s best female skiers race down a trail where they train themselves is something truly special. Being able to see these athletes up close, interact with them, and witness their incredible level of performance suddenly makes a world that once seemed so far out of reach feel much more accessible.
I truly believe that this kind of experience can change the way a young athlete views their own ambitions. It helps them realize that the athletes they admire also started out in a ski club, with dreams and goals much like their own. The World Cup reminds us that reaching the highest level of our sport isn’t an unattainable dream, but rather a goal that requires tremendous hard work, determination, and sacrifice. And sometimes, watching these athletes compete right before our eyes, on our own mountain, is exactly what it takes to inspire us to push our limits and dream even bigger.
Why Is Station Mont Tremblant the Ideal Venue for an Event Like This?
I think there’s something truly unique about Mont-Tremblant that makes it an ideal place to host the Alpine Ski World Cup.First, there’s the iconic Flying Mile, a trail that’s as challenging as it is fun, presenting a real test even for the world’s best female skiers. What makes it particularly special is its exceptional location. From the start gate all the way to the finish line, skiers are treated to breathtaking views of the pedestrian village, Lake Tremblant, and, above all, the massive crowd waiting to cheer them on at the finish.
Personally, the Flying Mile holds a very special place in my journey as an athlete. I’ve been training regularly on this trail for seven years now, and despite all the mountains I’ve had the chance to discover through my races and travels, it remains my favourite trail to this day. I know its unique features, its challenges, and the thrills it offers, yet it still brings me just as much joy every time I ski down it. It’s an immense source of pride for me to know that this trail, where I’ve spent countless hours training and pushing my limits, has been recognized as a World Cup-calibre racecourse for the past three years.
But in my opinion, what truly sets Tremblant apart goes far beyond the Flying Mile or its breathtaking scenery. Above all, it’s a mountain where ski culture has been deeply rooted in its identity for generations. Here, skiing is part of our everyday lives. From young children putting on skis for the very first time to athletes pursuing their dreams on the international circuit, Tremblant is home to a passionate community that has lived and breathed the sport for decades. This passion is especially evident during events like the World Cup, when the entire mountain community comes together to celebrate alpine skiing at its highest level.
I also believe that the World Cup brings renewed energy to this already well-established ski culture. It helps showcase Station Mont Tremblant on the international stage, but above all, it allows us to pass this passion on to a new generation of skiers. For me, it’s the combination of the magnificent Flying Mile racecourse, the exceptional setting of our village, and a community deeply passionate about skiing that makes Mont-Tremblant such a special place to welcome the world’s best female skiers.
