SKI OR RIDE WITH AN OLYMPIAN

Sport: Ski Cross

 

Olympics: Vancouver 2010

 

Hometown: Whistler, BC

 

Ashleigh became the first Olympic Gold Medalist in the sport of skicross where skiers race head-to-head, over varying terrain - as it made it's debut in the 2010 Vancouver/Whistler Games. 

 

Born and raised in Whistler, Ashleigh was one of those kids who skipped gate training often to cruise around with her buddies and hit their secret pow stashes. Thus, it was only natural she would be a good skicross athlete – and an even better guide and Whistler Blackcomb host.

 

What a day on the mountain with me will be like: Skiing with Ashleigh promises to be an experience you won't forget - from the moment you meet until apres-ski wraps up! Ashleigh has just been voted 'Whistler's Favourite Winter Athlete' for the 5th year in a row by locals! Ashleigh is comfortable taking a group of any size or ability level, or taking kids for a ski.

 

Favorite Olympic Moment: Standing in the start gate, about to race my final - I somehow managed to channel the pressure and the nerves into excitement and optimism. I felt like the expectations from across the nation were high because I had been given every opportunity to put myself in a position to have success on that day -. and those high expectations actually alleviated the pressure, and instead instilled a sense of confidence. The rest is all a blur!

 

Why you love Whistler: My favorite aspect of our little town is the strength of character you’ll find in local personalities. Everyone has taken a big risk to pursue a passion for skiing, biking, or whatever it is about the Whistler lifestyle that is so fulfilling, and they are the happiest people you’ll find on the planet.

Sport: Slopestyle Skiing

Olympics attended: Sochi 2014

Hometown: Born in Melbourne, Australia, now living in Pemberton, BC

What a day on the mountain with me will be like: Fun, adventurous and playful. If it's a pow day, then we will definitely be looking for fresh stashes. But I also like mixing it up with groomers, moguls and trees. I think skiing and becoming comfortable on a variety of terrain is the best way to improve as a skier.

Favorite Olympic Moment: Seeing my whole family cheering for me in the spectator area at the bottom of the course.

Why you love Whistler: I love the community of active and outdoorsy people.

Sport: Freestyle Mogul Skiing

 

Olympics: Torino 2006, Vancouver 2010

 

Hometown: Summerland, BC

 

Favorite Olympic Moment: Both Olympics presented epic moments, and each moment was very profound in my life. At the 2006 Olympics I was the first woman out of the gate on contest day, on the first day of the Games. It felt like I was opening the Games. Everything came to a calm as I stood on top of the run… I could see my family in the crowd at the bottom, and I knew that i had nothing to lose. It was the moment that I had trained so hard for, I was already standing in the gate as an Olympian, and all of the hard work was behind me. The only thing left to do was ski. 2010 was very different… we had so many more factors to deal with, like the mass media frenzy, the pressure of the hometown crowd and the Cypress weather. I stood in the gate with the confidence from my preparation and a knowingness that I had a winning run up my sleeve. I have never felt so ready. I landed my first back flip on the top air and started gaining speed in the middle section. The rain saturated moguls started to just mush out underneath me and I caught an edge… in a split second I was down, and my dreams of Olympic Gold crushed. I decided that I still wanted to finish my run, as I had a jump to perform that no other woman had ever landed in the Olympics. As I collected my gear, it was the cheer and support from the crowd that lifted me to my feet and gave me the strength to perform the best trick of my life.

 

Why you love Whistler: The mountain is so versatile, giving lots of options in any condition. It was the big mountains that drew me to the coast from the Okanagan, and it is the big mountains that will make me stay

Sport: Alpine Skiing, Slalom

 

Olympics: Torino 2006, Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014

 

Hometown: Whistler

 

Favorite Olympic Moment: In 2006, going into athlete village for the first time, seeing one of my favourite NHL players, asking him for an autograph and being turned down. In 2010, finishing my race run, feeling disappointed, but as I walked through the crowd of fans and supporters, being stopped by a family with a young racer telling me I’m an inspiration to them beyond the results. It was one of the most powerful moments in my career. In 2014, spending hours alone in the “quiet and relaxation” room of the Canadian athlete’s residence going through books about Canada, letters from fans and supporters and reflecting on my whole journey that had brought me to this moment.

 

What a day on the mountain with me will be like: Enjoyable. I fell in love with this sport from the moment I put on skis at two years old and have been exploring this relationship ever since. If the day and your skill level calls for runs on the bunny hill or charging down every chute and face we can find or anywhere in between, my goal is to leave you with a desire to grow your own relationship with the sport. The mountains are a way to tap into the joy of life and this is what we’ll use them for.

Sport: Alpine Skiing - Super-G and Giant Slalom

 

Olympics: Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014

 

Hometown: St-Sauveur, Quebec

 

Favorite Olympic Moment:There is so many insane moments but one of them is the feeling I had when I walked into the stadium for the closing ceremony during the Vancouver Olympics. One of the coolest thing is staying in the Olympic village and meeting all the other Canadian athletes and cheering for one an other, If one of us wins a medal it feels like we all do. It’s a magical feeling. I will treasure these feelings and memories forever.

 

What a day on the mountain will look like: I love cruising around this mountain and showing all my favourite spots. Just have a fun time! I’m a ski racing coach in the off season so I can help with Technic. If you just want to ski around without thinking and get all the good powder turns, just follow me! I’m retired from ski racing but now I ski big mountain and backcountry skiing all winter so I love shredding all that good powder.

Sport: Freestyle Skiing, Moguls

 

Olympics: Nagano 1998 & Salt Lake City 2002

 

Hometown: Squamish, BC

 

Favorite Olympic Moment: The feeling of crossing the finish line after giving it my all!

 

What a day on the mountain with me will be like: I will guide you to areas of the mountain that are ideal for your skiing level and learning. I will show you around, show you a good time, and help you improve your skiing!