Our Story
Where Cold Meets Courage
Look, I didn't wake up one day and decide to build a gym. This place... it came from fifteen years of busting my ass on frozen peaks, training Olympic hopefuls who'd show up thinking they were ready for altitude work, only to realize their lungs weren't having it.
Back in 2010, I was coaching national-level snowboarders out of a cramped space that barely had proper ventilation, let alone cryotherapy chambers. We'd drive athletes two hours down the mountain just to get decent recovery work done. That's when it hit me - Whistler needed something different. Something that understood winter sports aren't just about muscle, they're about adapting your entire system to perform when it's brutal outside.
Started small in 2013 with borrowed equipment and a handful of athletes who trusted my vision. Now? We've got pro skiers, mountaineers, and everyday people who just want to train like their life depends on it - because sometimes, up on those mountains, it kinda does.
Marcus Reinhardt
Founder & Head Performance Coach
Former National Alpine Training Coordinator | Exercise Physiology MSc
Evolution Timeline
We didn't just grow - we adapted, learned, and kept pushing the boundaries of what training could be in extreme conditions.
The Beginning
Opened our first 2,000 sq ft facility with basic Olympic lifting platforms and a makeshift altitude simulation area. Had six clients and a dream that people were ready for training that didn't coddle them. Turns out, they were.
Cryotherapy Integration
Added our first cryo chamber after seeing too many athletes drive down to Vancouver for recovery. Cold exposure wasn't just trendy BS - it actually worked when combined with proper training protocols. Game changer for our winter sports crowd.
Performance Lab Launch
Partnered with sports scientists from UBC to build out a proper performance assessment lab. VO2 max testing, lactate threshold analysis, biomechanics eval - the whole deal. Finally could give athletes real data instead of just gut feelings about their training.
Expansion & Altitude Sim
Doubled our space to 4,500 sq ft. Built a dedicated high-altitude simulation room that could replicate conditions up to 5,000 meters. Watched climbers prep for Everest attempts right here in Whistler. Pretty surreal, honestly.
Olympic Partnerships
Became an official training partner for Team Canada's alpine and freestyle programs. Three of our athletes made it to Beijing. Still gives me chills thinking about watching them compete knowing they'd trained in our facility.
Where We Are Now
We're not the biggest facility, and we're definitely not the cheapest. But we're the place where serious athletes come when they need to push their limits safely and scientifically. We've trained everyone from weekend warriors prepping for backcountry tours to pros heading to World Cups. The mission hasn't changed - just help people become stronger, faster, and more resilient than they thought possible.
Our Mission
We exist to bridge the gap between traditional strength training and the brutal reality of performing in extreme conditions. Whether you're climbing frozen waterfalls or just want to train like you are, we're here to make you tougher.
No fancy corporate speak. No wellness buzzwords. Just honest-to-god hard training backed by science, delivered by coaches who've actually been there. We believe in cold exposure because it works, not because it's trendy. We use altitude simulation because preparing your body for low oxygen environments can't be faked. And we push you because comfort zones don't build champions.
What Drives Us
Evidence-Based Training
We don't chase trends. Every protocol we use has research backing it or comes from years of field testing with real athletes in real conditions.
Respect for the Mountain
Winter sports demand respect. Our training reflects that - we prepare you for the reality that nature doesn't care about your PR goals.
Community Over Competition
Yeah, we train competitive athletes, but everyone here supports each other. Your PR is our PR. Your summit is our summit.
Honest Assessment
We'll tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. If you're not ready for something, we'll say it. Safety isn't negotiable.
Ready to Train Different?
Come check out what we've built. First performance assessment is on us - let's see where you're at and where you could be.
Book Your Assessment