The 2026 BC Winter Games hosted by Trail and Rossland wrapped up Saturday. We spoke to local president Brian Stefani about the event that drew over 900 athletes and 300 coaches to the area.
How did the Games go from your perspective?
We couldn’t ask for better conditions. Road conditions coming up [were] perfect. And then nice sunny weather while the kids were here. All the venues were great: Red Resort, the outdoor events, Blackjack, just fantastic.
Did you get to take the games in yourself or were you busy in the background?
Quite busy doing things, but my goal was to see all 15 sports and I got to see all 15.
What were some highlights?
I’ve never seen biathlon before, like the actual shooting aspect of it. Wheelchair basketball was my highest priority. I’d never seen that either. And rhythmic gymnastics, just the young ones dancing around, it was quite special.
Our head of ceremonies, Naomi Bain, and her team put together a fantastic athlete carnival night at the Cominco Arena on Friday night, but the interactive show over at the Bailey Theatre on Saturday was probably the most popular event for all the athletes. It was just so fun to watch. The feedback from athletes and coaches was just fantastic.
What event drew the most people?
I can’t pick out one. I haven’t seen the curling rink in Trail that packed in a long time. Wheelchair basketball had a lot of people. James Brotherhood, our sports chair, put together little passport books for the K to 7s in our school district. I saw a lot of young kids at the events getting their passports stamped and autographs from the athletes, so that was really nice.
How did things go from an organizational standpoint?
Great. I can’t say enough about my board of directors. Fourteen different directorates, very unique, and challenges within each. They were the backbone of the games. Their organizational skills were top-notch, and that’s why the games went off without a hitch.
A lot of planning that goes into it. A couple years worth or more for an event that goes by really quick.
Yes. But once we got the floor down in the arena for the opening ceremonies, the stress level sort of peeled away. Once the buses started to arrive on Wednesday night, it was just a joy. The kids were fantastic, so polite, smiling all the time. Once the game started, all that stress and all that planning was just so much worth it. And Betty Ann Marino and her group put together a great group of volunteers. We had a great appreciation event for them on Sunday and it was so nice to see so many people come out from all areas of our communities.
Now that the games are over, is there still work to do?
Yes. Our goal this week is to get all of our equipment and supplies off to Kelowna because they’re hosting the 2026 Summer Games in July. And we’ve got some legacy items to start getting out to our communities. We’re donating a balance beam to the Trail Gymnastics Club. There’ll be some equipment going to the local sports teams. And then we’ll have to start looking at our finances and any money left over from under budget directorates or donated cash funds we split with the BC Games Society in Victoria, and the remainder stays in our community. So we’ll have to decide how we’re going to be giving those out.
Anything else you would like to add?
I can’t say enough about the City of Trail and City of Rossland’s vision to have this. And then the support of their municipal staffs to make it happen, helping us out with all aspects. And to the Trail Smoke Eaters who actually changed their hockey schedule so we could use the arena for a whole week. We couldn’t have had a better opening ceremony so a shout out to the team and the organization for letting us use that.
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