Reece Howden

At well over six feet Reece “Big Rig” Howden is the leading face of Canadian men’s ski cross. First bursting on the scene with a gold medal at the 2016 Youth Olympic Games, he has since claimed three Crystal Globe World Cup titles in 2020-21, 2022-23 and 2024-25.

His height and athleticism have helped him establish himself as one of the world’s best in the sport, as he heads into the 2025-26 season with 31 World Cup podiums, and 18 wins in 78 starts. Additionally, he helped secure a silver medal at the 2023 World Ski Cross Championships in Bakuriani, GEO in the team event.

Through the early stages of his career, he balanced life as a World Cup athlete while also continuing his studies. The Cultus Lake, BC native won his first World Cup race on home snow in Nakiska, AB, in 2020 and was the overall Crystal Globe winner and named FIS Freestyle Rookie of the Year in 2020-21 after hitting the podium a stunning six times.

While he faced challenges in his first Olympic season of 2021-22, Howden was back amongst the best in 2022-2023, winning his second Crystal Globe, with victories in Innichen, ITA, Idre Fjäll, SWE and Craigleith, ON. Throughout the season, he raced to the podium seven times.

For his third title in 2024-25, he won seven races in Arosa, SUI, Innichen, ITA, Val diFassa, ITA, Gudauri, GEO, Craiglieth, ON, and Idre Fjall, SWE, highlighting a year that saw him hit the podium eight times.

Looking to continue adding to his 31 World Cup podiums, the now 27-year-old is at the cutting edge of the sport and finding success as he continues in his prime years.