The Alpine Ski Association of Yukon had a special visitor last weekend when Canadian Olympian Shona Rubens came to work with the territory's athletes.

Rubens, who was born in Sydney, Australia but grew up in Calgary, qualified to compete for Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, after placing 18th in a world cup downhill in St. Moritz, Switzerland. She also represented Canada on home soil at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

She retired from skiing in 2010, but her passion has not waned since, and she has been keen to share her love of the sport with future generations of athletes.

Rubens arrived in the Yukon near the end of the season. Coach Urs Schirmer said they worked more on the mental side of the sport than technique.

"It was not too much technical training stuff," said Schirmer. "She inspired the kids and talked about mental preparation. That's almost like 50 per cent of races and it can be really important."

Rubens visit came at an opportune time for the skiers as the Arctic Winter Games quickly approach. Schirmer said she spoke to the athletes about her experiences competing.

"The kids got so much from her when she was talking about her experiences," said Schirmer. "In Vancouver, she said she was nervous about the atmosphere.

"She told the kids exactly what to expect when they are competing at Arctics. She said in Vancouver the whole crowd was upbeat and for her, and it made her faster, and spoke to the athletes about translating nerves into performance.

"An Olympian telling them that makes a big difference."

Rubens noted, listening to coaches, breathing right and visualizing the whole run as important facets of a good performance.

"It was a really important second opinion from an Olympian," said Schirmer.

While on the hill with the athletes, Schirmer said she did two runs for the team.

"The kids were inspired," said Schirmer. "They tried to copy what she did coming down the hill."

Schirmer said even for himself, having an Olympian work with him was inspiring.

"It was motivating for me that she saw the work we've been doing here," said Schirmer. "She thought the skiing technique of the athletes was really good."

The Alpine ski team has had success Outside this year and Schirmer said the whole program is on the ups. He said Rubens recognized that and wants to return to the Yukon, this time bringing more Olympians with her.

Schirmer said this season has been about preparing for the upcoming Arctic Winter Games.

"We have a good team right now," said Schirmer. "We've been focusing on Arctics and really want to do well there."

At Arctics, the team will compete in slalom, giant slalom and parallel slalom – a head-to-head race down the mountain.

Schirmer believes the Yukon team is poised to make a run at the podium.

"We have skiers that want to medal and have that expectation of themselves," said Schirmer. "I believe they can do it."

It won't be easy though. Schirmer said there will be tough competition from the other contingents.

"Northern Alberta and Alaska have strong teams and you can never count out Greenland," said Schirmer. "It's going to be tough competition."

Schirmer outlined what people can expect if they come to watch the AWG Alpine Skiing competitions, held March 16-18 at Mount Sima.

"They can expect really competitive races that are amazing to watch," said Schirmer. "They are going to be going fast. In giant slalom, skiers can go 80-100 clicks."

Schirmer said once the skiers are done competing, he hopes they embrace everything the Games have to offer. Rubens also echoed this sentiment to the athletes about enjoying the whole experience.

"They will have to focus on their races but after I want them to cheer on the team," said Schirmer. "They are ambassadors to the sport in the territory and representing the whole Yukon is a cool thing."

Eleven athletes will be representing the Yukon at the Games: Adelle Anderson, Ava Milner, Morgan Blower, Clayton Chapman, Thomas Vollmer, Tori Vollmer, Annie Heffner, Olivia Vangel, MacKenzie Jenner, Carson Nelson and Brandon Huffman.