Big White Ski Resort Ambassador Team

Kelsey Serwa

Olympian

Having skied at Big White from a young age, she has always considered Big White a second home for herself – as her grandfather, Cliff Serwa, is a co-founder of Big White Ski Resort. She is a two-time Olympic medalist in women's ski cross, and has been a resilient force in her career, overcoming injuries and setbacks to achieve remarkable success. From winning gold at Pyeongchang in 2018 to standing on the podium at Sochi 2014 and Vancouver 2010, Serwa's Olympic journey showcases her determination and skill. In the 2010/11 season, she won gold at the Winter X Games despite sustaining spinal fractures, emphasizing her elite status, she even secured World Cup podiums amongst these injuries. Beyond her skiing prowess, Kelsey Serwa is actively involved in the Kelowna community, establishing the KSER scholarship fund and balancing her athletic pursuits with her interests. Currently studying human kinetics at UBC Okanagan, Serwa continues to inspire as a symbol of resilience and achievement in the world of ski cross.

2024/25 Season Highlights

Kelsey continues to be an inspiration on and off the slopes. The Olympic gold medalist and ski cross legend remains an active part of the Big White community, mentoring young athletes, women, and promoting the sport. Whether she’s coaching, working as a Physiotherapist, speaking at events, or enjoying turns at her home mountain, Kelsey is a role model for the next generation of skiers. See her in action during our Women’s Ski Day with Kelsey Serwa for International Women’s Day!

Tess Critchlow

Olympian

At the age of 6, she competed in her first race at Big White. By age 14, she joined the BC Snowboardcross team, and this became her top priority. After claiming the North American title, she joined the Canadian National Snowboardcross Team, earning herself several top ten results at the World Cup circuit and standing on the podium a number of times. In 2022, she placed 6th at the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, and in 2018 she earned an invitation to the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang where she placed at the top of all Canadians in her division. Recently, she was invited as an Athletic Role Model for the 2024 Gangwon Youth Olympics to open the ceremonies and cheer on young athletes. She continues to come back to her home at Big White, where she enjoys spending time with friends, family, and, of course, the Okanagan champagne powder.

2024/25 Season Highlights

Tess was just in Cortina, Italy for a World Cup event where she finished 11th overall! With her next competition set for Turkey, training and qualifiers are underway, with the race set to take place - the stoke is high! She recently took part in course testing, where selected athletes get to run the course before the main event. Before heading to Europe, she spent some bluebird days at Big White with family, soaking up the mountain magic.

Ian Deans

World Cup Athlete

From Lake Country, he began his skiing journey at Big White Ski Resort at the age of two. Initially involved in alpine racing with the Big White Ski Racers during his youth, Ian began ski cross while in college at a friend’s suggestion. After a remarkable debut, placing third in a ski cross race at Big White, Ian excelled on the Nor-Am circuit, earning the 2012 Nor-Am Cup Overall Championship title. This success propelled him to the World Cup and a spot on the Canada Alpine Ski Team. With multiple Nor-Am and European Cup podiums, as well as notable World Cup finishes, Ian has demonstrated his determination in ski cross. With a degree in kinesiology, Ian aspires to embark on a future professional career in physical therapy. Eagerly anticipating the upcoming season, Ian is focused on advancing his journey towards competing in the ski cross event at the next Olympic games.

2024/25 Season Highlights 

Ian has been charging hard this season, representing Big White as his home mountain after having many wins throughout Ski Cross World Cup events across the globe. Now he spends his time freeskiing and his focus remains on refining his race craft and maintaining top performance on the international and digital stage. Ian continues to share his passion for the sport and inspire the next generation of ski cross athletes.

Renée Seaman

Ski Athlete

Renée is a former Ski Instructor and Trainer at the Big White Ski and Board School, where she takes pride in holding the CSIA Level 4 certification. Her passion for skiing has led her from instructing in New Zealand to her current role in Japan. For Renée, Big White is more than just a workplace; it's her home. The diverse terrain provides an incredible backdrop for teaching, and on her days off, she explores hidden spots that make this mountain truly special. Inspired by her 85-year-old grandmother, her dream is to ski for life, continuing the legacy of a sport that has shaped her family for generations.

2024/25 Season Highlights

Renee has been kicking goals in Japan, running CSIA courses in Hakuba Valley while also stepping into the competitive freeride scene. She recently competed in her first-ever Freeride World Tour Qualifier event, a 2* in Yuzawa Nakazato, finishing an impressive 4th place! Next up, she’s heading to Arai for a 3* Qualifier at the end of February.

Samuel Peters

Adaptive Athlete

Our only adaptive sit-skier ambassador, Samuel started skiing with the resort in 2016, and has accomplished great feats since then. Beginning working with his parents and the Big White Powderhounds adaptive program, he was able to improve his skiing tremendously. He feels that Big White is his home, recognizing it as a very welcoming place to have fun and make memories. Since December 2022, he has been racing with the Big White Ski Club as the first-ever adaptive skier, and he has appreciated the support of the team and coaches. With many accomplishments to his name so far in his career, one that he is the proudest of is winning the bronze medal at the 2023 Canada Winter Games. You can find him on the slopes, training for his next goal of competing in the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Italy.

2024/25 Season Highlights

Sam has been dominating the competition circuit, recently securing three gold medals in Park City, officially qualifying for the World Cup Circuit and the 2026 Italy Olympic Games. While his spot on Team Canada is pending official selection, his results have been nothing short of incredible. Since the start of the new year, he has podiumed at every race, earning one gold, two silvers, and one bronze in Winter Park before his triple-gold performance in Park City. Up next, Sam will be competing in the European Cups from March 18 - April 4.

Finley Cashin

Ski Athlete

Raised on the slopes of Big White, Finley Cashin’s love for skiing began early. At just three years old, he started learning to carve under the guidance of his first coach, Cindy Helgeson, who recalls his impressive focus and quick learning. By nine, Finley’s natural talent and competitive spirit stood out to his U10 coach, Matt Haney, who described him as a natural leader with a bright future. Today, Finley is one of Canada’s top young ski cross athletes, recognized for his dedication, skill, and sportsmanship. His achievements include a gold medal at the Dreadnaught Downhill in Kimberley, BC, a silver at the Holeshot Ski Cross Series in Maine, and double bronze finishes at the BC Ski Cross Provincials. Finley’s journey inspires young skiers, showcasing how passion, perseverance, and hard work can lead to extraordinary success.

2024/25 Season Highlights

Finley is back on the racetrack after a tough trip to Europe and is already making big moves. He made the big finals on both days in Steamboat, just missing the podium with a 4th place finish on day one before battling hard to secure 3rd place on day two. Despite tricky course conditions, he made the most of the weekend and is now focused on the next Nor-Am event in Gore in late February. Before that, some well-earned rest is in order after nearly a month away from home.

Sacha Jirasek

Big White Ski Club

Sacha has been skiing since he was 2 years old. He began ski racing at the age of 6, raced with the Big White Ski Club through the U16 level, and is now a FIS athlete with the Okanagan Ski Team. In 2023, Sacha represented Big White Ski Club and BC at the Canada Winter Games in PEI.

Sacha spends well over 100 days a season on the road, training and racing across Western Canada. He is recently back from a training camp in Europe and is ready to tackle the upcoming season!

Sacha has a deep passion for ski racing. He is also a huge fan of getting in some good pow skiing when he can. His favourite spot on the mountain is Easter Chutes on a good pow day.

Outside of skiing, Sacha is a keen backpacker and mountain biker. Sacha loves music and is an avid collector of a wide variety of vinyl. He is also passionate about history and science

Cohen Gill

Big WHite Freestyle Club

Cohen Gill is a 13-year-old competitive freestyle skier with Big White Freestyle. His main focuses are slopestyle and big air. Cohen’s recent achievements include podium finishes at multiple competitions last season, which qualified him for the 2026 BC Winter Games. Cohen also looks forward to competing in all of the Timber Tour provincial freestyle competitions this coming winter.

The 2025/26 season will be Cohen’s 12th season skiing at Big White and 6th season with Big White Freestyle. Aside from his greatest passion, skiing, Cohen also loves fishing, mountain biking, wake surfing, and scuba diving.