Jesse Kertesz-Knight
My name is Jesse Kertesz-Knight, and I am an athlete on the Canadian National Alpine Ski Team, proudly representing my hometown of Jasper, Alberta.
Skiing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I began skiing at the age of two at Marmot Basin, and by age eight, I was racing with the Jasper Ski Team. My earliest memories are of skiing with my family at our amazing hometown resort and racing down Dromedary with my brother Jake and my friends. Marmot has been a part of my family since long before I was born—my mom, Louise (a former Canadian National Alpine Ski Team athlete), and my grandparents all learnt how to ski at Marmot Basin and continue to enjoy the amazing terrain that Marmot has to offer!
I was born and raised in Jasper, and I am proud to call it my home. Growing up here, I was actively involved in a wide range of sports and activities—from baseball and golf, to hockey, mountain biking, and water sports—and I credit these experiences, along with the support of this incredible community, with shaping me into the person I am today.
Since my time as a young racer with the Jasper Ski Team, I’ve moved up the ski racing ranks with the Banff Alpine Racers and the Alberta Ski Team, eventually earning a spot on the National Team in 2024.
I finished the 2024/2025 ski racing season ranked as the #1 slalom skier in Canada, the #2 world-ranked slalom skier by age, and the #50 world-ranked slalom skier overall. During the NOR-AM Cup (North America’s top circuit) season, I claimed two major slalom victories—one at Panorama Resort in B.C. and the other at Mount Norquay Resort in Alberta—and finished 4th in the overall NOR-AM slalom standings. I can proudly say I am the defending 2024 and 2025 Canadian National Slalom Champion.
On the international stage, I made my World Cup debut in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, in March 2025—an unforgettable milestone in my career and a major motivator as I strive to become a regular on the World Cup circuit and achieve my dream of representing Canada at the Winter Olympics.
I’m really looking forward to this ski season and am proud to have Marmot Basin as my official home mountain, supporting me as I continue to chase my goals and and dreams!
Jake Kertesz Knight
I grew up skiing at Marmot Basin, first learning the sport at the age of two. By six, I was racing with the Jasper Ski Team, developing my skills and a love for competition on my hometown hill. Marmot was where I spent more than a decade of my ski racing journey, and it gave me the foundation that set me on the path to the national team.
At 16, my family and I began spending winters in the Bow Valley so I could take the next step in my career. I raced four seasons with the Banff Alpine Racers, gaining the training and experience I needed to compete at the top level. In spring 2025, I earned a spot on the Canadian Alpine Ski Team (CAST-D), becoming the youngest member of the men’s team and the only new addition this year. I finished last season as the #1 ranked Super-G skier in Canada for my age group and the top-ranked Canadian by age in the Nor-Am Cup.
This season, my main goal is to podium at the 2025 World Junior Championships in Norway. I know the level will be high, but I’m confident in the work I’ve put in and the support behind me. I’m proud to represent my hometown mountain, Marmot Basin, as I continue to chase my goals on the international stage.
