Name: Tess Critchlow
Hometown: Big White, BC
Position on the National Team: National Snowboardcross Athlete
Where did you learn to snowboard?: Big White, BC
Memorable moments on Big White: Looking back some of my favourite moments were getting to snowboard to school, I went to school up there for a couple of years that was really fun. Also being able to hang out with great friends up on the resort. Tons of events, slopestyle, boardercross and halfpipe. When I was young, I got to do all of them!
Memorable competitive moments on Big White: I think I was about 12 and it was the first time I beat my brother in a snowboardcross race!
Coaches/Staff that made an impression on you in Big White?: There’s so many amazing staff up at Big White and honestly they’ve become like my family, they’re my main community. I would say Michael J is my right-hand man, he has been super helpful and has done so much for me. The whole Schumann family have been really amazing.
How Big White shaped your career: Big White made my career! Learning to snowboard up there I went to lessons at the ski school. They’ve done so much for me, they’ve hosted all the events and given me all the opportunities and now that I’m up at a higher level they’re supporting me in a really big way.. They’ve just been really helpful in my career.
Memorable competitive moments in general: My most memorable competitive moment would be the Pyeongchang Olympics in 2018, it was a goal of mine since I was 14, that was when I really committed to it, and being able to achieve that was amazing, the experience was incredible.
What does it mean for you to have a SBX World Cup hosted in Big White: Having a snowboardcross at Big White is very exciting it means everything, it is where my career started and I did most of my snowboarding growing up. I have so many memories there, I think it is where my confidence really grew as a racer so being able to head home for a world cup is really exciting.
Where do you see yourself placed coming into the season and what is the goal going into an at home World Cup? I took last season off, so this will be a little bit of a different approach for me coming back more fresh and more ready. I am really excited to be back at Big White, so i think the game plan is similar but a bit of a different style for me
What are you hoping to accomplish this year at the Big White World Cup?
I want to show my friends and community how I can ride and do my best for them and hopefully make it on top of the podium!
Thanks Tess!
#shredthenorth