The 54-year-old Austria-native (pictured top), who was promoted to President in September 2010, said he had planned to leave when his contract expires after Sochi 2014 but decided to announce his resignation early so that a new leader can be found for the important 2013-2014 season.

Gartner, a former professional soccer player, has worked with the organisation since 1982 working with both the men's and women's alpine teams.

He has worked with many of the nation's biggest stars, including Olympians Thomas Grandi, Cary Mullen and Ed Podivinsky, and was named Coach of the Year in 1991 by the Canadian Ski Coaches' Federation and took on the role of chief athletic officer in 2003 before succeeding Gary Allan as President.

"I am extremely proud of the achievements of our athletes and coaches over the years, and I am honoured to have supported this organisation in various roles for over 30 years," Gartner said.

"I believe now is the right time for a new leader, one with the energy and vision to shape the future of Alpine Canada's business operations, to lead our teams into a very important year.

"It has been a very challenging time for all winter sports organisations and it is my view that Alpine Canada needs to start preparing for any further changes in the sports landscape that are forthcoming after Sochi by putting in place long-term plans that will hopefully provide better support for all of our athletes.

"We have put together a world-class team of coaches and athletes and with just eight months to go until the Olympic Games, our racers are motivated, energised and ready to bring some medals home to Canada.

"I feel good about leaving the organisation in very good hands on the athletic side."


Safety was a big priority for Gartner during his time as President and chief executive of Alpine Canada, Gartner and in 2011 he hosted the first annual Ski Racing Safety Summit in Calgary.

A year later, a second summit was held with a special emphasis on safety in the sport of ski cross - a number of the recommendations announced at the event were later accepted and adopted by the International Ski Federation (FIS).

"Since being hired as an assistant coach for the Canadian alpine ski team in 1982, I have embraced ski racing in Canada wholeheartedly," Gartner, who is married to Olympic downhill gold medallist Kerrin Lee-Gartner, added.

"I have given my all both on and off the hill.

"It has been a lengthy but gratifying journey from my first job in 1982, to my first Olympic Games in 1984 in Sarajevo, to my personal highlight of watching John Kucera and Erik Guay win back-to-back World Championship downhill titles in 2009 and 2011.

"I am very proud of the successful integration of ski cross into Alpine Canada and the continued success of that programme - winning three medals at the Olympic test event in Sochi - as well as the outstanding results of our Para-alpine team and their record-breaking medal performances at this year's World Championships."

Alpine Canada chair Danny Minogue praised Gartner's "athlete-first approach" and his dedication to the sport.

"Max is a man of great integrity and professionalism who has always put Alpine Canada and its athletes first," he said.

"We are very sad that he is stepping down but I would like to offer our thanks for his many years of service and all that he has done for ski racing in Canada."

Minogue added that the search for a new President and chief executive would begin immediately.

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