Vernon's Elena Gaskell will represent Canada at the Slopestyle and Big Air ski events at the Milano Cortina games (photo courtesy of Team Canada)

By Liam Verster

Olympic Skier

Local skier named to Canada’s Olympic team

Jan 20, 2026 | 11:29 AM

A skier from Vernon is heading to Italy for the Olympics.

Vernon’s Elena Gaskell has been named to Canada’s Freestyle Skiing Slopestyle / Big Air team for the Milano Cortina games.

Gaskell was named to the same team for the 2022 Beijing games, but recorded a DNS (did not start) and ended up withdrawing before the events after suffering a knee injury during training.

The freestyle skier also reportedly suffered another injury in 2024, but was able to rehabilitate and get back into competitions.

“It was in October 2025 that Gaskell was finally able to compete for the first time since her Olympic debut was derailed,” Team Canada said in the local skiers profile.

Cultural Reconnection

Federal funds to support OKIB youth through cultural project to reduce crime, enhance public safety

Mar 03, 2026

Orchard Fire

Orchard fire sends plumes of smoke outside Vernon

Mar 03, 2026

International Conflict

Local gas stations not feeling effects of Iran attacks

Mar 02, 2026

“She broke into the top 10 in the first big air World Cup of her comeback in November. In January 2026, she got back onto a World Cup podium, finishing third in slopestyle in Aspen. She followed up with a fifth-place finish in slopestyle at the Laax Open.”

The 2026 Milano Cortina games will run from February 4 through 22. The Women’s Freeski Slopestyle qualifiers will go on Feb. 7 and the finals will go Feb. 9, while the Women’s Freeski Big Air qualifiers are scheduled for Feb. 14 and the finals going on Feb. 16.