Audrey McManiman Answers Our Questionnaire

Active on the international circuit, Audrey McManiman recently secured a spot on Canada’s Olympic team. She has drawn on her World Cup and Olympic experience to establish herself among the elite in snowboard cross.

Career at a Glance

Current discipline: Snowboard cross (SBX)

Former disciplines: Slopestyle, Big Air

Youth Olympic Games gold medalist in slopestyle (2012)

Overall Nor-Am Cup champion in snowboard cross (2017)

World Cup podium in snowboard cross (bronze, 2022)

Olympic Games: Beijing 2022 (11th overall)

To learn more about the person behind the racing results, we invited her to take part in our questionnaire.

What do you hope to experience or accomplish this season or at the next Olympics?

Above all, I’m hoping to truly experience the Olympic Games as they’re meant to be experienced. At the Beijing Games in 2022, there were still a lot of COVID-19 restrictions: my family couldn’t be there, I wasn’t able to attend the opening or closing ceremonies, and it just didn’t live up to what I had hoped. For me, the Olympics are a celebration of sport, athletes, and the passion for pushing beyond limits. I can’t wait to experience all that this time around, surrounded by my loved ones in a country I really love—Italy. 

What song, musician, band, visual artist, poet, or other artist best represents your style on snow?

The song “No Rain, No Flowers” by The Black Keys.

What word or phrase best describes your state of mind during competition?

“Work on training day—party on race day!” On race day, it’s time to have fun, put all the work you’ve done into practice on the snow, and show what you can do.

Is there a phrase or motto that has guided you throughout your career?

When I was 14 or 15, the first highlight video I made with a friend to help find sponsors was called “Never Give Up.” I didn’t really speak English at the time, but all the snowboard films I watched had [English] titles, and I thought it sounded good. But I also truly believed that if I didn’t give up, I’d be able to achieve my dreams. That phrase stayed with me throughout my entire career all the way to the Olympics—though injuries, obstacles, surgeries, lack of funding, the sport’s injustices, and even switching disciplines. I never give up.  

If you could spend a day on the mountain with anyone, living or deceased, who would it be?

Marie-France Roy, a pioneer in women’s snowboarding and my lifelong idol. She’s probably the reason I dedicated myself to snowboarding.

What’s the strangest training exercise you’ve ever done for your sport?

I’ve actually brought my snowboard boots into the gym to train jump landings. I’d stand on a box, jump down with both feet, and focus on stabilizing the landing on the floor. Thankfully, I was just wearing my boots and not full snowboard gear because after a while it got really hot. 

What’s your favourite place to ski (or ride) in Quebec? And in the world? Why? 

In Quebec, I’d have to say my local mountain, Val St-Côme. I always love going back. It brings up so many great memories and reminds me how grateful I am to have been introduced to snowboarding at a young age. As for my favourite place in the world, that’s a tougher call, but I’d say Austria for the sheer scale of its ski resorts.

 What’s your most magical moment on snow?

A bright, sunny day and sparkling fresh snow—that’s tough to beat!

What quality do you appreciate most in your friends? In your ski or snowboard partners?

People who are creative, bold, and adventurous. The ones who aren’t afraid to venture off-piste, hike to summits, or shovel jumps.

If you could be reincarnated after death, what being or object would you choose to become? Why?

An Arctic fox. I’d definitely want to be reincarnated as an animal that gets to play in the snow.

Do you have a hidden talent that would surprise us?

A talent? I’m not sure, but surprising, yes… I know how to milk a cow. Otherwise, I’m pretty good cook.