Words by: Chris Dane German and Kelly Denison
Olivia Asselin is a rising star in the world of freeskiing. She’s become a style icon in her own right. Known for her creative, technical skiing and positive vibes, Olivia is all about having fun while doing what she loves—and it shows, both in her tricks and in her wardrobe.
Olivia was born and raised in Lévis, just across the St. Lawrence River from Québec City, where she learned to ski close by. “I grew up skiing in Stoneham for most of my childhood,” Olivia says. “My parents rented a ski condo there during the winter, and we’d be there every weekend.” At first, Olivia focused on mogul skiing through the Stoneham Ski Club. But it wasn’t long before her attention shifted to park skiing. By the age of 12, Olivia was fully converted to a park rat. She attended one of Quebec’s ubiquitous sports academies, a product of the province’s strong emphasis on balancing academics with elite sports training, and spent most of her afternoons honing her skills in the park at Le Relais, another ski hill 30 minutes north of Quebec City.
When asked if she’d always dreamed of going pro, Olivia laughed, “I didn’t know pro skiers were even a thing! I just loved skiing so much from the beginning and knew I really wanted to get good at it.”
Oli is carving out a remarkable career, earning a bronze medal at the 2022 Winter X Games and competing in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. In a field overflowing with immense talent, what sets Olivia apart? For her, it comes down to five simple letters: S-T-Y-L-E.
“Style is self-expression and individuality. Everyone has their own version of it, and it makes each person special. It’s totally subjective. In my opinion, style is the most interesting thing about skiing.”
Style is paramount. This mantra is apparent every time Olivia clicks in to her skis. From kit choice to trick choice, she’s always putting her individual style at the forefront. “Feel good, look good, and vice versa is so real. I find that the most fun ski days are when my skiing looks its best. And if I think what I wear looks cool, I’ll probably ski cooler too.”
Attention to detail is a cornerstone of her skiing. Olivia is meticulous about making tricks look effortless—even when they’re anything but. “I’m very picky about little details in the way I ski, which has made my style get better over the years.”
One of the personal highlights of Olivia’s skiing journey has been connecting with other women in a sport traditionally dominated by men. Growing up, she often found herself as the only girl in her ski circle. It wasn’t until she began traveling and competing that she experienced the camaraderie of skiing with other women.
“I think that’s why it feels so special when I get to ride with other girls that I can relate to and that are stoked on skiing. I’m so grateful to be able to ski around the world and experience this.”
For those looking to follow in her tracks, Olivia’s advice is as thoughtful as her approach to style.
“Surround yourself with people you love and that treat you with respect. Use your energy on just the things you have control over. Be nice to yourself and the people around you. Remember that you are doing it for yourself and no one else. Just do you.”
