Calgary, Alta. (March 14, 2023) – Olympic gold medalist Brady Leman announced today that he is retiring from ski cross racing after 15 years on Canada’s national team. Leman’s last races will be this weekend at the 2023 World Cup Finals, on Canadian snow, in Collingwood, Ontario.

Leman joined Canada’s national team in 2008, represented Canada at three Olympics, winning gold at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, Korea, where he was the first Canadian man to win an Olympic ski cross medal.

“I am thankful for all that ski racing has shown me,” said a smiling Leman. “There’s been so much change in ski cross from when I started to today. I guess I’ve been doing this a long time, but the thrill of racing, and winning, never got old. There are so many people that played a role in supporting me, my family, friends, sponsors, teammates and coaches. I hope they all know how much I appreciate their support. And the biggest thank you of all goes to my parents who lit the spark that fueled this amazing ride.” 

Born in Calgary, Alberta, Leman began ski racing with Calgary Alpine Racing Club and early on established a relationship with Lake Louise that has lasted his entire racing career. Leman’s longevity and ability to reinvent himself is exemplified across his 15 year national team career and in his 142 World Cup starts, third most ever, his 31 World Cup podiums, second most ever, and his five World Cup wins, including three consecutive wins at Blue Mountain in Collingwood, Ontario.

Leman retires with seven world championship starts, where he accumulated four top 10’s and won a silver medal in 2019 at the world championships in Solitude (Utah, USA).

“It is never easy when an athlete retires,” said Ski Cross Head Coach Stanley Hayer. “I think for me, Brady’s retirement is going to be much more emotional. We spent a few years racing as teammates and the last eight years as coach and athlete. The experiences that we had together are unforgettable, both on and off the hill. His results speak for themselves and his contributions to our sport will be difficult to match”

“The best thing,” added Hayer “is that Brady has decided to retire on his own terms which is rare in any sport. I will forever be grateful that I am able to call him my teammate and my friend.”

Considered a true ski racer, Leman also topped the podium at the 2016 X Games winning gold and was part of the legendary 2010 X Games Canadian podium sweep where he won the bronze medal.

“I am so fortunate to have lived these experiences,” added Leman. “The successes were rewarding, but I will most remember the time with my teammates whether training, competing, or just hanging out. Those memories will always bring a smile to my face, and are probably what I’m going to miss the most about ski racing.”

Career Results: (as of March 12, 2023)

Olympic Winter Games

3 Olympic Winter Games: Sochi 2014, PyeongChang 2018, Beijing 2022

3 Olympic Winter Games starts

Gold PyeongChang 2018

FIS Alpine World Ski Championships

7 World Championships

5 top 10’s

Silver medal in Solitude (Utah, USA)

FIS World Cup

141 World Cup starts

31 podiums

5 wins: Blue Mountain, Ontario, 2012- ’17 – ’19, Innichen, Italy 2011 and Idre Fjall, Sweden 2017

X Games

Gold 2016

Bronze 2010 – part of Canadian podium sweep

Marielle Thompson, Canada Ski Cross Teammate 

"Looking back on many amazing shared memories with Brady it’s hard to pick just one, but the standout for me has to be when we both won the World Cup at Blue Mountain. It was a big day for our team to win 3 of the 6 podium places at home in Canada and the photo from that moment remains one of my favourites. We sang ‘O Canada’ with pride! He has always lead by example with fierce competitive spirit on the hill and proved hard work in the gym pays off. I’ll miss bouncing ski cross ideas off of him and our friendship off the slopes."

Brittany Phelan, Canada Ski Cross Teammate

"I always admired Brady’s work ethic on and off the hill. He always put the work in and left nothing up to chance, in our sport so many things you can’t control, but that you could. I admired his passion, his love for skiing and the emotion he put into success and failure. It showed how much he cared about skiing, about being his best every single day. I’ll never forget watching Brady win Gold in 2018, becoming Olympic champion. That moment that encompassed everything he’d worked for, sacrificed, and believed in. I was lucky to be a part of a few years leading up to it. Watching him win and knowing everything he’d gone through to get to that moment, the hard work and injuries, success, disappointment, and all the in between. Thanks for being a leader, a friend, and an amazing teammate. I owe a lot to Brady for all the help and everything he’s done for me in my life and ski career. Too many good times on hill and off. Memories I’ll cherish forever. Thank you for all you’ve done Brady and I’ll see you next year when you come out of retirement."

For more information or media inquiries please contact: 

Mark Halliday
Alpine Canada
403 777 3204
media@alpinecanada.org

About Alpine Canada 

Alpine Canada is the governing body for alpine, para-alpine, and ski cross racing in Canada, as well as for Canadian ski coaches, providing education, certification, insurance, and compliance with the coaching code of conduct. With the support of valued corporate partners and donors, along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee, and the Coaching Association of Canada, Alpine Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic, World Championship, and World Cup athletes to stimulate visibility, inspiration, and growth in the ski community.