CANMORE, Alberta — Canada’s top biathletes are set to launch their 2025 season with a decisive round of competition in Canmore, Alberta, where the nation’s best will race for coveted spots on international teams heading into the Olympic year.
The Biathlon Canada Trials, taking place from November 4 to 8 at the Canmore Nordic Centre, will see more than 55 athletes compete across three high-stakes events. Performances at the trials will determine who earns selection for the opening World Cup Tour, as well as the IBU Cup and Junior IBU Cup Tours, which mark the beginning of the global competition season.
The event represents a major milestone in Canada’s winter sport calendar, as athletes seek to secure their places on the national team ahead of a year dominated by Olympic qualification pressures and the international spotlight that accompanies it.
High-level competition in Canmore
The Canmore Nordic Centre, one of North America’s premier biathlon venues, will host races that combine endurance, precision, and composure — all key to success in one of the most technically demanding winter disciplines.
The Biathlon Canada Trials Schedule is as follows:
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November 5 – 10 a.m.
Women’s 7.5-kilometre sprint
Men’s 10-kilometre sprint -
November 7 – 10 a.m.
Women’s 6-kilometre sprint (relay shooting)
Men’s 7.5-kilometre sprint (relay shooting) -
November 8 – 10 a.m.
Women’s 7.5-kilometre sprint
Men’s 10-kilometre sprint
These races will not only test physical stamina and skiing speed but also mental accuracy in shooting, with athletes required to demonstrate consistent performance across multiple formats over the five-day event.
Pathway to the world stage
For the competitors, the trials represent the culmination of months of preparation and a crucial opportunity to earn selection to compete internationally under the Canadian flag. The top performers will move on to represent Biathlon Canada in early-season events across Europe, where they will face the world’s leading athletes.
The World Cup Tour, which begins shortly after the trials, serves as the highest level of biathlon competition outside the Olympic Games, while the IBU and Junior IBU Cup circuits offer essential international experience and ranking points for Canada’s developing athletes.
Selection from the Canmore trials therefore plays a direct role in shaping Canada’s biathlon representation across multiple tiers of competition — and potentially its Olympic roster for 2026.
Significance for Canada’s Olympic ambitions
The timing of the trials underscores their importance. With the next Winter Olympic Games approaching, Biathlon Canada will use these events to identify athletes capable of delivering consistent performances on the world stage.
The trials will be watched closely by national selectors, coaches, and sporting officials, who view Canmore as both a proving ground and a showcase of the depth of talent within Canada’s biathlon system.
Canada’s biathletes have shown steady progress in international competition in recent seasons, with rising stars and established athletes alike seeking to make their mark ahead of the Olympic year. The Canmore event will therefore serve as both a selection race and a performance benchmark for the season to come.
Community and economic impact
Beyond its sporting implications, the Biathlon Canada Trials are expected to generate a boost for the local economy in Canmore, as athletes, support teams, and spectators gather in the mountain town. The event reinforces the Nordic Centre’s status as a key venue for international-standard winter sport, following its continued investment in facilities and hosting capabilities since its legacy role from the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.
As winter descends on Alberta, the trials offer a glimpse into Canada’s future prospects on snow and ice. The performances in Canmore will determine not just who represents the country on the world circuit this season, but also who might ultimately wear the maple leaf at the Olympic Games.
