I just finished my Ashleigh McIvor interview a minute ago, even though it is midnight here in Finland. I got a change to chat with Ashleigh McIvor in Skype as she is promoting the The Great Mountain Giveaway. She is currently the world champion in ski cross, and she was elected to Canadian Olympic Freestyle team. Ski cross appearing for the first time at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

Roots in the mountains

Just like the legendary big mountain ski pioneer Eric Pehota and his close friend Kye Petersen, also Ashleigh McIvor grew up in Whistler. In places like Whistler it is more than natural to become a skier as they provide endless possibilities to challenge yourself in the mountains. Ashleigh McIvor started skiing when he was only two years old, and only few years later she found herself fighting for the victory in alpine ski races.

“It was just natural for me to start racing. I didn’t really plan it. I just loved to compete with others“, says Ashleigh McIvor.

Ashleigh McIvor did alpine ski racing until the age of sixteen. She toured around the world and was one of the best ones, but decided to step into ski cross, which is a relatively new type of skiing competition. In a time trial or qualification round, every competitor skis down the course, which is built to encompass both naturally occurring terrain and artificial features like jumps, rollers and banks. After the time trial, the fastest 16 (in women’s events) or 32 skiers (in men’s events) compete in a knockout (KO)-style series in rounds of four. A group of four skiers start simultaneously and attempt to reach the end of the course. The first two to cross the finish line will advance to the next round. At the end, the final and small final rounds determine 1st to 4th and 5th to 8th places, respectively.

“Ski cross is so fantastic! It’s so much fun. I love ski cross because of the adrenalin boost it gives me, and the close connection to other skiers on the track. It is such a cool sport!“, says Ashleigh McIvor when asked about her interest in ski cross.

When talking about big mountain skiing, Ashleigh McIvor prefers skiing right behind her own “backyard”. Nearby mountains of Whistler provide so much fun and challenges that she does not need to “go fishing overseas”.

“My dream day of skiing would be heli-skiing the BC mountains with a bunch of good skiers. No particular names or well-known skiers. Just a bunch of good riders and a helicopter.“

As a European I was interested in knowing where in Europe Ashleigh McIvor prefers skiing. According to her website she has visited at least Engelberg and Sweden, but where in Europe Ashleigh would enjoy the most?

“Well, I actually don’t have a reason to go to Europe as I have the best playground right behind my backyard.“

Come on, Ashleigh! Join us and we’ll take you to the backcountry of Chamonix. I bet you would be stoked in the north face of L’Aiguille du Midi or feeling like in powder heaven in Tyrol, Austria.

It is not all about snow skiing

Although Ashleigh McIvor is a pro athlete, she has time to do many other interesting things, such as surfing and mountain biking. Ashleigh is an avid surfer who can take mid-sized waves, but would be wiped out on big waves. Many people think that all great surfers hang around in Hawaii or such distant place, but how many knew that there is a great surf spot in Whistler?

When snow begins to melt, Ashleigh starts looking for her surf board and mountain bike. She is in perpetual motion. Constantly looking for feelings and kicks from outdoor activities.

Ashleigh McIvor and the Great Mountain Giveaway contest

Ashleigh McIvor is partnering together with Tourism British Columbia to tell skiers from across North America about their chance to one of the biggest skiing prizes ever offered, the Great Mountain Giveaway. One lucky winner will have the chance to bring 19 friends to share in a VIP skiing experience at one of 13 world class ski resorts across British Columbia. Winners will have the chance to pick their own prize: ranging from exclusive mountain access, to having no lift lines and their own mountain personal guides at Whistler Blackcomb. Each of the 13 mountains offers its own unique world class experience.

Make sure you participate in this contest, because you might get a change to ski side by side with the world champion.

“If possible, I will take my skis and join the winner’s group to ski BC. I can’t promise yet, but I hope I can make it“, said Ashleigh McIvor to Homeboy Ski blog.

Good deal? Yeah, not too shabby.