Jenn Heil. Perfect form. Photo Courtesy Heil Family
Contender
From the Prairies to the Podium
ML catches up with Jenn Heil, the reigning goddess of moguls
by Todd Lawson
There once was a tiny Albertan ski hill named Lake Eden. From the top of the highest peak, you could see nothing but farmland for miles in all directions. Little kids in wool mittens would clutch at one of the three rope tows creeping up the bunny hill and fall almost every time before getting stubbornly dragged to the top. The big kids would ski the two t-bars or, if they were really good, the lone chairlift. For flatlanders learning to slide on two planks it was a slice of heaven – Lake Eden had over 100 feet of vertical.
Not the kind of landscape you’d expect to produce an Olympic champion, but mogul masterchild Jennifer Heil learned to ski here, and has since become one of the world’s most decorated freestyle skiers of all time, with enough medals to make a pirate jealous – 25 gold and a total of 45 medals overall, and counting.
One of those was Canada’s first gold medal in the 2006 games in Turin, Italy. With just three weeks left before the 2010 Vancouver Games, her third winter Olympics, Mountain Life spoke with Jenn while she was competing in Lake Placid, New York.
Photo Courtesy Heil Family
Mountain Life – You grew up in Spruce Grove, Alberta and learned how to ski on a man-made ski hill when you were two years old. What are your memories of Lake Eden?
Jenn Heil – My main memory of Lake Eden is of riding the t-bar alone for the first time and being so proud. I remember the hill seemed really big to me at the time. I can also remember having competitions with my sister and other young skiers as to who could carry their speed the best and make it the furthest out onto the lake.
ML – Most people hate moguls. What do you love about them so much?
JH – I guess growing up I always loved the challenge. Once you commit to the moguls and build up the right amount of speed there is this incredible feeling that comes from having the flow.
ML – Do you have much time to free ski with your friends these days?
JH – I definitely don’t get to free ski much but I come from a family of skiers, so during Christmas and after my season in April we head to Marmot Basin in Jasper. I am looking forward to doing some backcountry skiing once I have the time.
ML – What is your ultimate ski day?
JH – Since I ski so many days a year my ultimate ski day is pretty precise. Nothing below -15°C, fresh snow, friends, steep terrain and the day ends in the hot tub.
ML – What are you going to enjoy most about Vancouver 2010?
JH – I want to leave myself completely open to the experience of 2010 but I think it is going to be pretty cool to see all of the Canadian flags at the bottom of the course at Cypress Mountain.
ML – You’re on a roll right now, winning the last four World Cup moguls events in a row. What is the most important aspect to keep on this roll heading into the Olympics?
JH – I have been really focused on my performance each race and what I need to do to improve it for the next one. I am approaching the Games in the same way, working to raise the bar even further.
Good luck, Jenn. Lake Eden would’ve been proud.
