Meet Ben Heldman, 24-year-old snowboard racer and Alpine member since 2017, now a Canadian Olympian who represented Canada on the world stage at Milano Cortina in 2026.
It’s the latest milestone in what has already been an impressive rise through the international snowboard racing circuit, marked by steady progression, breakthrough World Cup results, and a long-standing pursuit to compete at the highest level of sport.
The Journey to the World Stage
Snowboard racing is fast, fierce, and unforgiving. It’s a high-stakes dance of precision and power on steep slopes where hundredths of a second separate glory from disappointment. Unlike the freestyle side of snowboarding, racers don’t soar — they carve, charging through a maze of gates with calculated aggression, reading terrain at 80 km/h. It’s a sport that demands equal parts fearlessness, discipline, and instinct, and it’s exactly where Ben Heldman thrives.
Ben Heldman, Alpine member since 2017, hasn’t put his board down since the first moment he strapped in for a snowboard lesson, his only wish for his seventh birthday. A member of the Canada Snowboard National Team, Ben is now chasing his 2026 Olympic dream. Coming off a breakout year on the World Cup circuit in 2024-25, Ben is eager to build on his current momentum and push hard right out of the gate this December. His sights are set firmly on clinching his first World Cup podium, showing his competitors that he is one to watch.
At 15, Ben stepped onto the FIS circuit and into a pivotal stage of his snowboard career. He had the speed to match the best, but raw pace alone wouldn’t win races. The real breakthrough came in mastering the precision, confidence, and control needed to turn that speed into podium-worthy runs.
In a sport dominated by racers in their 30s and 40s, Ben is carving his path early. At just 23 years old, he’s chasing legends that are decades his senior. While that age gap may have been intimidating in his first years on the World Cup circuit, it also fast-tracked his growth. Gaining valuable experience shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s best, Ben has proven his place on the global stage, and he’s only just getting started.
For Ben, success isn’t just about speed — it’s about mental strength. Guided by his former coach, Jan, who taught him that “the brain is a muscle,” Ben has trained his mind as deliberately as his body. He’s learned to adapt, push beyond his comfort zone, and follow through on every goal he sets. That investment in mental fortitude has become a cornerstone of his path to the podium.
The discipline and work ethic required to reach this level of competition is nothing short of incredible and has been instilled in Ben from his early years in Alpine’s snowboard race program, learning from key coaches and mentors like Jonas Brook and Danielle Courchesne. The unique training environment provided at Alpine, with a strong balance between fun and competition, has made a lasting impact on Ben’s current success.
The other driving factor behind his achievements? A supportive family and network of friends. When reminiscing about all of the support that’s led him to where he is today, Ben says, “There is a lot of spotlight on me, but it’s a win for my entire family.” Theo Heldman, Ben’s Dad, says “It’s everything along the way that has contributed to this. The Club, the people that we know. It’s really been an entire community to get to this spot. To be able to see and be able to lift up this entire community, it’s pretty cool.”
What’s next for Ben?
While his immediate sights are set firmly on qualifying for the Olympic Games in February, this season really feels like a launching point for Ben and his long-term goals. He’s looking to solidify his place on the international stage as a consistent high-performing athlete and reach his ultimate goal of securing a Crystal Globe win in his career.
Watch Ben’s journey unfold in our four-part video series; Fast Lines, Big Dreams
Celebrating Ben’s Journey at Alpine
Back at Alpine, Ben’s Olympic debut was met with excitement and pride throughout the Club. In true Alpine fashion, members and staff gathered for an early-morning 3:00am watch party, coming together to cheer him on as he took to the start gate on the world stage.
Despite the early hour, the energy was unmistakable with members huddled around the screens, sharing in the anticipation and joy of watching one of their own represent Canada at the Olympic Games.
Following Ben’s return home, the celebration continued with a meet and greet at the Club, where members had the chance to connect with Ben in person, hear about his experience, and reflect on his journey from Club racer to Olympian.
It was a full-circle moment that highlighted not only Ben’s achievement, but also the community behind him that has followed his progression for years and continues to celebrate every step of the way.
