Sunshine Announces Partnership with Sochi Bound Canadian Racer Marie-Michele Gagnon

BANFF, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Jan. 8, 2014) - Dynamic Canadian alpine racer Marie-Michele Gagnon will become an ambassador for Sunshine Village where she trains as part of a new partnership agreement between the Rocky Mountain resort and the Olympic-bound athlete.

Considered a strong medal contender at the 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games, Gagnon is an exceptional all-round athlete, one of the few in the world to compete on the World Cup circuit in all five disciplines -- slalom, giant slalom, super-G, super combined, and downhill.

"I am so pleased to be part of Sunshine Village Ski Resort's Ambassador program," said Gagnon, a 24-year old native of Lac-Etchemin, Quebec, who has 10 Canadian titles and is the reigning national champion in slalom, giant slalom, and super-G.

"Nearby Canmore is my second home so I am very excited to be an ambassador for a great resort like Sunshine Village which offers some of the best and most varied skiable terrain in the world," added the six year veteran of Canada's national team. "With an extremely long season that stretches until the May long weekend, there is plenty of opportunity for training or just enjoying the spectacular scenery."

Dave Riley, Chief Operating Officer at Sunshine Village, said the resort is honoured to have the racer associated with Sunshine and to support her Olympic and World Cup goals.

"Marie-Michele is one of the best and most prolific women's alpine skiers in the world," said Riley. "This partnership allows her to showcase Sunshine around the world and provides additional resources that will help her achieve her goals."

Sunshine Village Ski Resort sits in the heart of Banff National Park, and features over 3,300 acres of skiable terrain across three mountain faces. Featuring the longest non-glacial ski season in Canada, with its mid-November to end of May run, the resort provides the idyllic winter conditions for many Canadian teams training in late spring.

For more information about Sunshine Village Ski Resort visit:

Web: www.skibanff.com

Twitter: @SunshineVillage

Facebook: Sunshine Village

For more information about Marie-Michele Gagnon visit:

Web: www.alpinecanada.org

Web: www.mariemichelegagnon.com

Twitter: @MarieMGagnon

Instagram: @mmgagnon

Follow the conversation on Twitter #ssvambassador #Sochi2014.