Leslie McLaughlin

I took my first ski lessons in Moleson, Switzerland at age 8, while living in Lahr, Germany. Returning to Ottawa in 1987, I continued learning with my dad at Vorlage, and through school at Edelweiss until I was 16. After that, I moved to Winnipeg (where it's very flat), and then pursued my academic studies after returning to Ottawa, where I also became a fusion bellydance instructor. As a result, I skied only twice between 1994-2010, the second instance of this being to teach Danny Fresh of Bad Company (BC Recordings, UK) to ski during a 2001 Ottawa tour date! Once I'd completed most of my MA, I picked up right where I'd left off (with my Munari rear-entry boots and 1993 K2s!) at Camp Fortune, which became my beloved home mountain for many years. I skied nearly every day after work, and started travelling to other mountains. In 2012 I learned about Whistler's gaper weekend and my love of skiing and costuming came together (thanks for that, bad santa joe!)! I combined my love of skiing and bellydance and skied with Isis wings. In 2013 I switched to Kastle James XX90 twin tips and have never turned back. These days I'm recognizable by my signature orange hair and fluoro pink/orange collection of ski costuming (hey, not everyone can ski for sport!). I spend a lot of time skiing at Les Sommets family of mountains, in addition to Killington, Tremblant, Squaw Valley and Whistler, and have recently picked up snowboarding. As a ski fashionista and a raver who grew up in the 90s, my favourite influences are the heyday of fluro ski gear in the late 80s and early 90s and my favourite time of year to ski is in the spring!