Trail-Rossland set to welcome province’s top young athletes for BC Winter Games
Over 1,500 of the British Columbia’s top young athletes, coaches, and officials are set to arrive in the West Kootenay region for the Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games and the chance to celebrate sport and community from February 25-March 1.
RESULTS & PARTICIPANT LIST | PHOTOS | SPECTATOR INFORMATION
“I extend my congratulations to all athletes competing in this year’s BC Winter Games as you showcase the hard work, dedication, and passion that brought you here,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “Your achievements highlight the power of sport to inspire confidence, leadership, and lifelong teamwork. We’re cheering you on every step of the way! I also want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of the Host Society, volunteers, and community for bringing the Trail‑Rossland Games to life and creating an unforgettable experience for these youth. Without you, these games wouldn’t be possible.”
A total of 974 athletes, who earned their entry to the BC Winter Games by participating in qualification events around British Columbia, are set to compete in 15 sports and represent 131 communities across the province. The athletes are supported by over 1,450 local volunteers and hundreds of coaches and officials, who volunteer their time to ensure that athletes have the best possible competitive experience at the Games.
The BC Winter and BC Summer Winter Games were established in 1978 to bring young people from every corner of the province together in a celebration of sport and friendship.
Quick Facts:
- These Games mark the 33rd BC Winter Games and the fourth time that the Games have been held in the area. The region successfully hosted the 1982 and 2006 BC Winter Games, as well as the 1996 BC Summer Games.
- To date, over 40 communities have hosted BC Winter and/or BC Summer Games.
- A combined total of 24 BC Games and Team BC alumni competed for Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy. Learn more at bcgames.org.
- Competitors represent eight geographic zones: Kootenays (Zone 1), Thompson-Okanagan (Zone 2), Fraser Valley (Zone 3), Fraser River (Zone 4), Vancouver-Coastal (Zone 5), Vancouver Island-Central Coast (Zone 6), North West (Zone 7) and Cariboo-North East (Zone 8).
- Participants at the 2026 BC Winter Games will compete in alpine skiing, archery, artistic gymnastics, badminton, biathlon, cross country skiing, curling, figure skating, freestyle, judo, karate, ringette, rhythmic Gymnastics, speed skating, speed skating-special olympics, and wheelchair basketball.
- More than 375,000 participants and volunteers have taken part in BC Winter and BC Summer Games since 1978.
Key Dates for the 2026 BC Winter Games
- Opening Ceremony: Thursday, February 26 – 7 p.m. PT @ Trail Memorial Centre (Livestream)
- Competitions: Thursday, February 26 through Saturday, February 28 (Sport Schedules)
- Departure Day: Sunday, March 1
More Resources
- For more information about the BC Winter Games, visit bcwintergames.ca.
- For more information about the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/organizational-structure/ministries- organizations/ministries/tourism-arts-culture
Contacts:
Andras Lukacs
Director of Marketing
Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games
andras@bcwintergames.ca
David Conlin
Senior Manager-Marketing and Communications
BC Games Society
davidc@bcgames.org
