Big White Athlete and Olympian Tess Critchlow Announces Retirement

“This hunt for excellence in my SBX career has been such a crazy and fulfilling journey,” Critchlow said. “The constant challenges mentally and physically pushed me to grow in a way nothing else could have. And with each challenge there was also reward, whether it was the satisfaction of seeing progress on snow or having the opportunity to travel to some of the most epic mountain ranges around the world!”

At six years old, Tess competed in her first race ever at the annual Neil Edgeworth Memorial Banked Slalom, coming in second only to her brother. Eight years later, at age 14, she was picked up by the BC Snowboard team, and four years later she found herself on Team Canada’s roster. With three Canadian National Championship wins, multiple top-10 World Cup finishes, podium finishes in team events, a 9th overall placement in the Women's Snowboard Cross at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games, and 6th at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

“The Big White family, the owners, staff and those who call the mountain home, could not be more proud of Tess,” said Michael J. Ballingall, Senior Vice President, Big White Ski Resort Ltd. “We’ve had the amazing opportunity to witness Tess grow into not only an incredible athlete, but a kind and generous person – giving of her time, skill and knowledge to anyone who asked. We wish her the best of luck in this new chapter.”

And while Tess says she’s “retiring,” she adds she’s “in no way ready to set down my snowboard or love for sport! I hope in the coming years I’ll have more time to free ride and get back to the roots of why I fell in love with racing.”

All of us at Big White Ski Resort look forward to seeing you on the slopes, Tess!