How Do Skiers Stay Active in Summer? The Ferreol Crew Off the Slopes

Three ambassadors, three unique ways to live the summer — through movement, connection, and personal challenges.

When the snow melts, the season shifts — but for our ambassadors, the energy doesn’t fade. It just takes a different form.

At Ferreol, skiing is more than a sport. It’s a way of thinking, moving, and relating to the land. In summer, that spirit lives on through trail runs, new terrain, bold projects, and quiet moments in nature.

We asked Heidi, Édouard, and Florina what their off-season looks like. Here's how they answered.

 

Heidi Nixon — Between Mountains, Ocean, and Salmon

In Alaska, summer is short but intense. And for Heidi Nixon, it’s all about staying in motion — physically, mentally, and with the rhythm of the land.

Her days are full of movement:
“Mountaineering, running, hiking, sea kayaking… I mix it up, but I’m always outdoors, always active.”

Her go-to training spot is Lazy Mountain, just outside Palmer.
“It’s the perfect place to unplug and reset while still getting a workout in.”

But this summer, Heidi has a different kind of goal:
Stocking her freezer with salmon.
“I’m taking time off this summer to go fishing during the prime salmon run to harvest enough fish to fill my freezer with fillets, smoke it, and preserve it in jars so I can eat healthy and fresh all year long.”

 

Édouard — Hard Work, High Views, and a Swing at Something New

For Édouard, the gym is the forest. The training? Real-life, hands-on, and often on fire.

As a wildland firefighter, he spends the season building firebreaks and managing forest growth. He’s also working on projects to open new ski lines for heli-ski lodges across British Columbia. → “It’s intense work, but it keeps me strong and connected to the mountain — even without the snow.”

When it’s time to slow down, he heads uphill.
Mount 7, near Golden, is his go-to reset zone.
“There’s nothing like watching the sunset from the summit with a few friends.”

His personal summer challenge?
Getting better at golf.

 

Florina — Guiding, Growing, and the Occasional Dance Break

For Florina, summer is a mix of intensity, purpose, and a few well-earned dance floors.

She’s in the final phase of earning her IFMGA certification — one of the highest levels of alpine guiding in the world.
“It takes years to get here. Technical training, decision-making, time in the mountains… I love every part of it, and I hope to see more women join this path.”

When she’s not prepping for exams, she’s working full-time as a guide across Western Canada:
Multi-pitch climbs in Banff, glacier travel on the Wapta Icefield, mentoring in the Valhallas, and expeditions in the Bugaboos.

Her downtime is well earned — and well spent.
You’ll find her floating in the Columbia River in Revelstoke, right near the baseball diamonds and dangerously close to her favourite ice cream spot.
“Cold dip, mountain views, cone in hand. Hard to beat.”

And because recovery comes in all forms:
She’s heading to a music festival with friends.
“Dancing is my reset button—especially to Lost Frequencies’ remix of Sweet Disposition or anything by Dom Dolla. I’ve been trying to learn how to shuffle lately… turns out it’s way harder than it looks!”

 

Simon — A Summer Rooted in Quebec Trails

For Simon, summer is all about movement — and most of all, fun. Originally from Quebec, he makes the most of the warmer months to train and explore the trails… on two wheels.

His sport of choice: mountain biking.
“It’s what keeps me in shape, but also what lights me up. There’s nothing like being deep in the woods, fully focused, flying downhill.”

He also mixes in a bit of hiking and trail running to keep things varied and to build endurance.

His summer goal: take part in a few mountain bike races.
“I’m a pretty competitive person. I love pushing my limits and discovering the best version of myself.”

His favourite places to disconnect?
It’s hard to beat the classics:

• Mont-Sainte-Anne, for its proximity, technical trails, and great energy.

• And Gaspésie, plain and simple.
  “That region grounds me. Between the sea and the mountains, I always feel at peace there.”

Different Paths, Same Energy

Heidi, Édouard, and Florina all take on summer in their own way — but the common thread is clear. They stay connected to the outdoors, challenge themselves, and keep growing, even off the slopes.

At Ferreol, we’re proud to work with people who don’t just wait for winter — they live with purpose, all year long. On trails, in rivers, or high in the alpine, the Ferreol spirit never goes quiet — it evolves.