Meet Soleil
Date of Birth: July 24th 1998
Hometown: Rossland, BC
Occupation: Kinesiology Student at University of Alaska Anchorage
Sponsors: In the market for sponsors
Accomplishments: 3rd in Lake Louise NorAm Downhill, 2nd in Canadian Nationals Downhill, 2017 U19 Overall National Champ.
Bio: I grew up in Rossland BC skiing at Red Mountain and racing with the ski club. After high school I moved on to elite racing with the BC Ski team, competing across North America for two years. After sustaining a few injuries I moved onto racing the NCAA circuit part of the University of Alaska Ski Team. In 2020 I was carded by the Canadian National development Ski Cross team. Due to unforeseen circumstances and injuries, I will be continuing my education and pushing my boundaries towards big mountain skiing while representing Rossland’s small town grittiness and Red’s laid-back vibe.”
How old were you when you started riding?
I started skiing at the age of 4 at RED Mountain
Who are your mentors/influencers?
As a ski racer many of my influencers were racers on the National teams including Lindsey Vonn on the US ski team. Although, my hometown hero was definitely Leah Evans because I admired her passion and her stoke for skiing. Another mentor was my mom Stephanie Gauvin, it was pretty cool to say that my mom was a sponsored free skier.
Any Nicknames?
Sunshine, or any variation of Soleil mispronounced.
What’s your favourite thing about RED?
Not having to wait in a liftline, and still being able to catch fresh tracks at 2:30pm.
What movie/video gets you most amped for the winter?
ALL IN. Matchstick Productions
What’s your favorite run at RED?
Coolers, Pale Face, and everything in between
Do you listen to music when you shred? (what’s your go-to?)
No music while I’m skiing, although I definitely listen to music on the way to the hill. Anything from Jimi Hendrix to Anderson Paak to Billie Eilish.
When not skiing/riding, what else do you like to do?
I am an avid mountain biker in the summer, and I love to paint and draw the beautiful landscapes that surround my town.
What’s the best trick name?
First one to the bottom wins? I don’t know I’m a ski racer.
Do you have any preseason rituals leading up to the winter?
Train hard in the gym and get stoked.
If you could be any animal, what would it be?
Falcon
What’s your favorite saying?
Do your thing, do it every day, and do it unapologetically.
Describe your perfect apres.
A Caesar in rafters, still rocking the ski boots, with friends I just spent all day skiing with.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Hopefully I will still be a kid at heart living that #vanlife with my skis and my bike searching for snow.
Gallery of shred!
