Big White Ski Resort Ambassador Team – 23/24

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.
 

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.
 

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.
 

Tom van Steenbergen

Professional MTB Athlete

Tom started his biking career racing BMX in the Netherlands when he was 11 years old, alongside his brother, Bas. Tom moved to Canada in his teens, where he discovered his love for downhill mountain biking. After a couple of years focusing on downhill racing, Tom transitioned into a new-found passion in slopestyle which he is widely known for today. After winning Crank Worx’s Best Trick competition in 2012, Tom quickly learned his potential and true calling for the sport of slopestyle. Until 2021, Tom held the longest front flip ever landed on a dirt bike at 70 feet and continues to hold a reputation in the biking industry as someone who continues to push the limits. Keep up to date, and cheer on Tom at major competitions like Red Bull Rampage and Crankworx.
 

Bas van Steenbergen

Professional MTB Athlete

He learnt how to ride a bike at the age of two and has been pedalling ever since. Growing up in the Netherlands, this should come as no surprise. Once Bas and his family moved to Canada, he quickly picked up mountain biking and made his jump to the World Cup stage after only three years of racing. He made the switch to freeride biking shortly into his racing career, attending events like Fest Series, Red Bull Hardline, and Red Bull Rampage. In 2022, he claimed the title of being the first ever back-to-back King of Crankworx World Tour champion. Bas is passionate about creating more accessible trail access for everyone, starting here at Big White.
 

Mellen Jay

Snowboard Athlete

Mellen is a snowboard professional currently teaching and evaluating Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI) Level 4 in Hakuba, Japan, for the season before returning home to Big White. Growing up skiing in Quebec, she learned to snowboard at an early age, riding for fun and racing at a provincial level. She began teaching and eventually moved to become a CASI evaluator through university and continued excelling at the sport, which allowed her to propel her career over the past 25 years, teaching and evaluating in 10 different countries. Now, living at Big White year-round, she can access some of her favourite terrain by riding through the steep natural gullies and finding deep powder between the trees.

Takoda Ito

Ski Athlete

As an18-year-old alpine skier, Takoda has a hunger for spending as much time as he can up on the slopes at Big White Ski Resort. Spending every winter weekend strapped into his ski boots, he lives and breathes skiing. Currently part of the Okanagan Ski Team in his third-year skiing with the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), his dream is to join the BC Ski Team someday. During his first year on the FIS team, he was proud to earn the Most Improved title after completing a difficult slalom course. Takoda considers Big White his second home. Not just because of the excellent conditions and terrain, but also because of the supportive community of people he’s met through racing here. When he’s not flying down the slopes, you can find him hiking, skateboarding, or spending him with his dad.

Renée Seaman

Ski Athlete

Renée is currently a Ski Instructor and Trainer at the Big White Ski and Board School, where she takes pride in holding the CSIA Level 4 certification. Recently, she claimed her CSIA Park Certification through the BW Ambassador Program, showcasing her commitment to continuous improvement. Her passion for skiing has taken her from instructing in New Zealand, to upcoming plans to explore Australia in the summer. 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.

Talia Komaike

Snowboard Athlete

Talia moved out to Big White as a teenager to work here for a season – after only snowboarding three times before that – she felt drawn to continue enjoying and improving her snowboarding. Fast forward 10 years, and now she is living between Big White in the winter and Australia in the summers with her partner, who also worked at Big White! She has a following of almost 100K on Instagram, showing her followers how the sport has impacted her life in beautiful ways. As someone who used to hate the winter season, she is proud to have embraced it as an adult and has now been able to make a career out of it. Fun Fact: Talia and her current partner lived in houses next to each other while working at Big White 10 years before they met each other.

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.

Mia Serratore

Athlete/Coach

After moving out to Canmore, AB and working in a bike shop, she fell in love with the sport of mountain biking. After a lengthy ski racing career, she made the switch to going all in and started her mountain biking journey in 2021 at Big White. Living in the Okanagan, she connects with brands and feels at home on Kelowna's diverse terrain. Riding at Big White since 2021, she participated in Toonie races, gaining comfort in downhill. Mia's favourite trails include Black Slabbath and Dark Roast. Reflecting on Pinkbike Academy, she highlights the importance of personality and connections in the industry. For aspiring mountain bikers, Mia encourages confidence, fun, and not letting comparisons or gear hinder the joy of riding with friends.

Brayden Barrett Hay

Athlete/Coach

A notable Canadian figure in the mountain bike realm, continuing to push limits in the industry. Previously centred around Joyride, an impressive indoor facility near Toronto, Canada, Brayden's influence extends seamlessly onto the slopestyle course. Beyond competitions and film ventures, Brayden's impact reached the Cirque Du Soleil stage through FMB. In 2021, he relocated to British Columbia, tapping into the vibrant Big White mountain biking community, with not just his dirt jumper but also his downhill and trail bikes. During summers at Bike Big White, Brayden maximizes the diverse terrain, showcasing his skills. Catch him exploring the trails on opening day!
 

Anthony Evans

Athlete/Coach

Anthony, AKA Poppa Tony, claimed his nickname about a decade ago at a race in Port Angeles, Washington, while helping other riders at registration and in the pits. Fast forward over the years, he’s always tried to help people with spare parts and tips when he can and just “pay it forward.” He retired from competitive racing in 2018 after winning the BC Cup in front of a home crowd and attending the Croatia and La Bresse World Cup races that same year. Anthony is now in a career where he gets to help people in different ways, but he still loves to participate with the younger racers at a Downhill MTB race here and there! And coach when he can! Now, he has really grown into his nickname after having a son with his partner (who is also an avid mountain bike rider). He is looking forward to watching his son progress while training at Big White in the summers and enjoying skiing here in the winters. Catch him out on the trails with his family!

Liz Say

Sustainability Ambassador

Originally from the UK, Liz has been helping spearhead Big White Ski Resort’s sustainability initiatives, from managing our Protect Our Winters Resort Alliance Partnership to facilitating communication around refundable and other climate initiatives. Liz first came to Big White while coaching the Chinese Snowboard team towards the 2018 Pyeongchang Paralympic Games. She has taught snowboarding worldwide and has well over a decade of experience across the snow industry in Canada, New Zealand and Japan. Beyond her snowboarding expertise, Liz is always open for a conversation about fostering awareness and sustaining our mountain home here at Big White.

Mikalah Taylor

Elected position from the Big White Ski Club – Cliff Serwa Ambassadorship

Meet Mikalah, our youngest ambassador for the 2023/2024 season. Currently, attending ninth grade on Vancouver Island, Mikalah is an integral part of the Big White Ski Club U16 Alpine Race team. She demonstrates her commitment to the sport through her family's weekly commute from Vancouver Island to Big White. This journey began when Mikalah was just five years old, seeking snow beyond the local mountains' limitations. The decision to fully embrace mountain life came in the 2017/18 season, leading to her family's move to Big White and having her enrolled at the Big White Community School. Mikalah's passion for skiing persisted when school pulled her back home, prompting weekend travels back and forth. When she’s not alpine skiing Mikalah enjoys ski jumping, wake surfing, and barefooting with friends on Shawnigan Lake. She is most proud of ranking third overall in the province for U14 Alpine Ski Racing last season.

Eliza Bell

Elected position from Big White Freestyle Club – Doug Mervyn Ambassadorship

Growing up skiing here at Big White, it didn’t take her very long to start exploring her talents in the park. She’s been skiing competitively on the British Columbia Park and Pipe team for over five years now. Most recently, she was awarded 3rd place in Slopestyle Canada Cup Sun Peaks. Having been training with the Big White Freestyle Club alongside her talented brother, who is also an accomplished freestyle skier, for many years the club directors and president are very proud of her achievements. After winning gold in the 2022 BC Slopestyle Championships, earning a spot in the 2023/24 Canada Nor-Am Cup, and placing 6th in the Yukon Canada Cup Slopestyle competition, it's clear that Eliza has had a very successful early start to her career.