PHOTO COURTESY Sam Ferguson
Medicine Hat raised freestyle skier Amy Fraser got her start at the Elkwater Ski Club and finished fourth in the women's freeski halfpipe final at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
sports@medicinehatnews.com
Alberta’s own Amy Fraser has, once again, captured the hearts of Canadians with her stellar performance at the Milan 2026 Winter Olympics.
The freestyle skier, who got her start at the Elkwater Ski Club in Medicine Hat, competed in the women’s halfpipe event, showcasing not only her athletic prowess but also her unyielding determination and love for the sport.
The athlete showcased her talent with impressive performances during the women’s freeski halfpipe final. Her first run earned her a score of 85.00, temporarily placing her in second position. She then surpassed that effort with an even stronger final run, scoring 88.00.
Despite her remarkable showing, Fraser fell just 4.5 points short of a podium finish, concluding her second Olympic Games in fourth place.
Reflecting on her performance, she noted, “That’s some of my best skiing. I think there’s always room for improvement, clearly, being [a few] points shy of the podium, but whatever.”
Fraser’s journey to the Olympics is nothing short of inspiring; she didn’t start freestyle skiing until the age of 21. Watching her friends on the national ski team and the TV show McMorris & McMorris sparked her interest. Her rise in the competitive skiing world was swift. Within a few years, Fraser was competing on the Nor-Am Cup circuit, earning her first podium finishes in 2019.
“I still remember the call when I made it onto the Next Gen National Halfpipe Team. I was overjoyed,” she says about her induction into Team Canada. “It felt like it justified my dream to ski all the time and I knew I would receive some funding/support to keep skiing, which was a huge benefit to being on the team.”
By 2022, she made her Olympic debut in Beijing, finishing eighth in the halfpipe event.
Fraser says, “The closing ceremonies were so cool. I still remember watching the Bird’s Nest during the Summer Olympics, and it was amazing to walk on the floor of that massive stadium.”
But the road to success wasn’t without its challenges.
“It’s a very expensive sport,” Fraser admitted. “I once worked four jobs one summer to pay for my season.”
She also noted the lack of female representation in coaching and leadership roles, which made her journey unique. Despite these hurdles, Fraser’s perseverance paid off.
Milan 2026 has been another highlight in Fraser’s career.
“The food has been amazing, and the halfpipe is one of the best we’ve got to ski,” she says. Her love for the sport and the camaraderie among her teammates have made her Olympic journey unforgettable.
What is it like to be an Olympian? She is happy to share, “It’s getting to live my dream every day. When I finished university, I knew I wanted to live out of a suitcase for a while. Skiing has let me travel the world with purpose, and I love the process of being a competitive athlete. I love it when hard work pays off.”
Her advice to aspiring athletes is, “Keep working hard. Half of life is just showing up. Show up to training and show up on contest days.”
Her story is a testament to the power of dedication and passion, and she continues to be a role model for young athletes across Canada.
