Mike grew up in Sherwood Park, Alberta, and first put on skis at the age of two. His family was a ski family and spent many a weekend away from home chasing the snow in Jasper or Banff. Mike’s first foray into organized skiing was a racing program but after only a couple years decided to switch to freestyle. He quickly excelled at several disciplines, including moguls, slopestyle, big air as well as halfpipe. He made the Alberta Big Air team at age 15 and by his second year on the team Trennon Paynter became the head coach.
As Mike and the team started to achieve greater success at larger events, they eventually outgrew the Provincial program but at the time there was no national team for halfpipe or slopestyle. Thus, out of necessity they formed the ‘Unofficial Canadian Halfpipe Ski Team’; which was funded by the athletes themselves as well as some outside fundraising. Mike has been a driving force within the team from its humble beginnings through to the push to get Halfpipe skiing into the Olympic Games and now with his eye towards the 2018 Olympic Games and other high calibre events such as the X Games
In May 2011, halfpipe and slopestyle were included into the Olympic program and Mike was officially added to the newly created national team. Three years later, Mike would win silver at the inaugural halfpipe competition at the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. The silver medal adds to an impressive resume that also includes a 2011 FIS World Championship and the 2013 FIS Crystal Globe title among countless podiums on the pro circuit.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
2015 World Cup FInal and SFR Tour Winner in Tignes, France
2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games silver medallist
2013 FIS Crystal Globe champion
2011 FIS World Championship gold medallist
