Banff’s best big mountain snowboarder is a fighter.
Michelle Locke had the most consistent season of her career, as she landed on the podium in almost every competition she entered in the IFSA freeride North American tour, culminating with a four podium performance in one weekend. However, injuries held her back from claiming the overall title. A knee injury held her back this winter, but motivated her to keep chasing her goal of becoming the best free ride snowboarder in the world.
“With injuries, your comeback is always stronger than your setback. It gives you more drive to be where you want to be,” Locke said.
Her 2017-18 race resumé was impressive: a first place in Lake Louise and Washington State, second in Revelstoke and third at Kicking Horse, and several more top-three finishes across the United States. She caught big air in competition – landing a 20-foot jump in Washington to carry the day, defeating a field of 20 competitors in the process. She had a shot at taking first place overall, but couldn’t quite pull off a win.
“I had to step it up a bit. It was scary, but I had to commit,” Locke said.
Locke, 39, finished the tour ranked second behind Nicole Kelly of Golden, but was happy with how the season played out. Locke tied for the overall win last year with fellow Banff boarder Audrey Hebert, however Hebert was the one who was selected for the free tour. The tie was a heartbreaker for Locke, who had to rediscover her motivation and overcome pulled quad muscles to finish second this year.
She’s determined to get back to the top level, and knows where she can improve. Locke wants to spend the summer eliminating her weaknesses to prepare for next season.
“I am ready to train all summer. Last summer, tying for first was a heartbreaker … it was too close. This year, it is more valid,” Locke said.
Locke also began shooting film, and had an exclusive photo shoot at Mount Norquay prior to the opening of the North American chair. She also convinced the FreeRide World Tour riders to take a day in Lake Louise, where she showed off her home hill.
“I’d love to make more movies. I have more ideas … I filmed with Dan Evans off the big chair at Norquay. We had 45 cms of fresh snow and it was just us on the lift. That was a big moment for me,” Locke said.
She will need to win the North American tour next season if she hopes to rejoin the world tour. She’s reached that level before in her career, but now she’s bringing more consistency to her game, and is ready to shred with the best.
In her off time, Locke is toying with the idea of becoming a mountain guide, and simply wants to spend as much time outdoors as possible.
“I am doing a short video on why I love the valley. I want to do that to promote the valley I love so much. I love to get into the backcountry, and see some big lines. I’d love to become a mountain guide, so I’m getting my wilderness first aid, reading the material and gaining friends interested in doing the same thing,” Locke said.
