When Édouard Therriault drops in, everyone stops what they’re doing to watch what’s about to go down. Ed’s unique “swerve” style, combined with his deep bag of tricks, has put him on everyone’s radar as a top dog in the ski world. Not only is his style something to marvel at, but his positive energy, big smile, and charisma make him magnetic.
Born in 2003, Eddy-T hails from Quebec and grew up skiing at Mont-Tremblant. Ed is a professional skier, an artist, a lifelong learner, and a nature lover—but above all, he is a “normal dude trying to figure out how to do life.”
He has been competing at the highest level for a few years now, including the Olympics, X-Games, and SLVSH Cup tournaments. When asked about his favorite memory of skiing, Ed said the following:
“I don’t think it’s where you ride but who you ride with that makes the difference. I think my favorite memory of skiing was half an hour from where I grew up. It was with eCook, Db, Tom G, Jake Legault, and a few more. Just riding a backyard setup and living life, ahah. Not a big deal, but I get my joy from those little things.”
Ed is a creative, fun-loving guy. He’s not the type of skier who spends his winter dialing in a slopestyle routine. He’s more likely to spend a few weeks filming in the streets, then go to a random ski resort in Quebec to get creative in its tiny park, compete in X-Games, and then ski powder out west. Ed strongly believes in mixing things up and cross-pollinating between all aspects of skiing. He sees value in being a well-rounded skier—living proof that versatility leads to the most important aspect of professional skiing: style.
“I strongly believe that creativity and style should trump technicality, but if you were to ask the FIS judges, maybe they think differently.”
You’re a great example of a skier who is both stylish and highly technical. How do you balance your swervy with dub 1800s?
“If I do an 1800, immediately after, I start swerving. That’s how it works for me 🙂 Although the older I get, the less I see meaning in spinning an 1800 because there’s so much I want to learn on my skis. Doing a huge rotation like a 2160 doesn’t hype me up as much as a big 180. It’s good to know how to do those bigger rotations, but I believe there are so many ways to excel in skiing with axis, rotation blocks, grabs, different types of skis, carving, etc.”
Lifestyle
Ed does things differently than most people, and it’s obvious when you watch him ski. He takes the weirdest line through the park and still manages to make it look good. He modifies his clothing to reflect his personality. The approach he takes to his ski career is unlike most pro skiers.
“I don’t chase the pro skier lifestyle; I chase the underground/underdog lifestyle. I don’t do this to please people—I do it because it makes me feel good. I think people relate to authenticity. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so whenever I create or do something, I’ll often work on it until I’m satisfied. I admire people who trust their vision and accomplish it. That’s rare these days.”
His vibrant, positive energy and humble attitude have earned Ed a lot of respect in the ski community. Despite being only 21, he recognizes that skiing has given him much to be thankful for, and he feels a responsibility to give back to the community that has given him so much.
“Skiing can teach you so much about life and yourself in so many ways. Because of my ski career, I learned how to speak English, how to cook, how to take care of my body and so much more. The network of people I’ve met through this sport is priceless.”
“Balance is everything in life, and with skiing, it’s the same. That’s why I find it important for my personal development to give back to the community. I coach every year for a week or two. I love being involved with community-driven freeski events like Akamp at Mt. Avila. I give resources, like extra gear from my sponsors, to kids who can use it to keep progressing and staying hyped on skiing. I also work on several film projects that I am proud of. If I inspire even just one person with these films, I’m super stoked. In the future, I’ll be undertaking some bigger projects for the community. I’m passionate about passing on my love for skiing to the next generation.”
Ed loves learning and knows it’s unwise to put all your eggs in one basket, which is why he’s a strong proponent of lifelong learning.
“I like to try a lot of different stuff. It’s the best way for me to figure out what I like and don’t like. For example, I’ve been dabbling in various art mediums like photography, cinematography, video editing, graphic design, and more. I’ve also been taking some business courses and other traditional school-type stuff. I find that doing a lot of different things is the best path to personal development. I just throw spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks.”
The pro skier lifestyle is full of adventure and travel, and a big part of the job is capturing and documenting it. Being around photographers, videographers, and artistic travel companions has taught Ed to see the art in everyday moments.
“Art is life, and life is art.
I think of my skiing as a medium to present my art. I’ve spent a lot of time around cameras while chasing my dreams and doing what I love. I’ve steadily been learning how to film, shoot photos, and do all the pre/post-production. I’ve been playing behind a camera for the last four years, and it helped me find a taste in filmmaking and how I like to see skiing :)”
