Introducing the Peak Performance 2010 Team

With a mix of freeride phenoms, alpine elites, and ski culture ambassadors, Peak Performance Canada introduces its team roster for 2010 – athletes who ski and live the brand’s values day in and day out: Karla Rizzuto, Peter Velisek, Marie-Claude Larivee, Daniel Melançon, Dave Treadway, Kevin Hjertaas, Kelly Vanderbeek, Simon St-Arnaud, Tessa Treadway, and Marc-André Nadeau.

Freewill, downhill and endless thrills. These are a few of the common threads of culture our athletes share in their lives. Peak Performance Canada helps them achieve these passions with ski clothing and sport fashion that is as comfortable in the harsh elements as it is in the core beliefs of what we do: skiing and the outdoor lifestyle.

Karla Rizzuto

Growing up in Nelson, BC, Karla Rizzuto learned to ski hard and fast from a young age. After spending time competing in big mountain events, she moved in front of the lens to showcase her bold style on the pages of ski magazines. She’s also chasing a guiding dream at both Baldface and Retallack in the BC Interior.

Peter Velisek

From his early racing days to numerous podiums on the big mountain circuit to charging hard for the camera, one thing has been constant in Peter Velisek’s life: the endless pursuit of skiing. Whether it’s a win at the Canadian Open Freesking Championships or laying tracks in Kashmir, he strives for the simplicity and spirituality the sport provides.

Marie-Claude Larivee

Born and bred on the East Coast, Marie-Claude Larivee headed west to Whistler a decade ago to live the ski dream. Now settled in Nelson, BC, she divides her time between skiing the famous local powder the area is known for and trekking around the world in search for more.

Daniel Melançon

A Peak friend for over five years, Daniel Melançon is as entwined with the charm of Quebec’s ski scene as he is with the sport fashion of the brand. A Ski Quebec Alpin ambassador the last two seasons, he will be on the frontlines of the 2010 Games as part of the RDS broadcast team for the alpine ski competitions.

Dave Treadway

Following in the legendary pow tracks of his two older brothers, Dave Treadway has become a permanent fixture in magazine photo spreads and ski flicks alike. Living in Pemberton, BC, he scours the globe in search of deep lines to etch his fluid and technical style into.

Kevin Hjertaas

No one trick pony here—Kevin Hjertaas embraces many facets of ski culture from athlete and freeride mentor to patroller and ski journalist. Now he’s working to become a full-fledged guide, touring his way up into the mountains and turning on the big line soul to rip down its faces.

Kelly Vanderbeek

Hailing from Ontario, Kelly Vanderbeek has emerged as a world leader in alpine skiing, and is part of the trio dubbed the “Speed Queens” because of her skills in Downhill and Super G. After narrowly missing the bronze medal by just three one-hundredths of a second at the Winter Olympics in 2006, she went on to grab podium finishes at three World Cup events.

Simon St-Arnaud

A mainstay in the Tremblant area of Quebec’s Laurentians for over a decade, Simon St-Arnaud is equally known for his skiing talents, as he is in his role as a popular TV host with the RDS sports network, and as the brainchild behind the famous 24 hours of Tremblant event.

Tessa Treadway

Originally from the icy pistes of Quebec, Tessa Treadway migrated west to tackle the mountains of British Columbia and pursue the same life culture the Peak brand is based upon. No stranger to big mountain freeriding and shooting with photographers, she now lives in Pemberton where she hunts for fresh snow and unexplored zones.

Marc-André Nadeau

On the slopes as early as he could walk, Marc-André Nadeau lives for the mountain life and the positive vibes that come from a day skiing with friends. Having lived in Banff and Quebec, racing skiercross and later working for Ski Press magazine as ski test director for seven years, he is a genuine ski veteran who permeates the values of Peak Performance.