Whitehorse has already had one snowfall and although it melted, it will be here to stay soon enough. With the snow brings the start of the winter sports season and for Yukon freestyle skier Etienne Geoffroy-Gagnon the season cannot start soon enough.

Geoffroy-Gagnon spent last season on the Canadian developmental team and competed in some world cup events in Europe and North America.

This summer he has been hard at work training for the upcoming season.

“The training going all summer was non-stop,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon. “I worked in Whistler and did a lot of training there and I did airbag training in Quebec.

“I was on skis a lot. I am trying to catch up on those top guys.”

As part of his training, Geoffroy-Gagnon said he spent far more time in the gym when he wasn’t on the slopes.

“I training to get stronger,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon. “I was doing more precise exercises than in previous years. I was getting some extra help and I am feeling good.

Having gained valuable experience last year, Geoffroy-Gagnon said he is going into this year with higher expectations of himself.

“Last year was an eye-opener for me,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon. “I got to see the best guys getting it done. I’ll have more knowledge with the courses and I am a lot closer with the coaches and we have a good game plan to go at it.”

The better knowledge of the courses he will be competing on helped him and his coaches work on his tricks.

“Trick wise, it was about figuring out what tricks are best for what course,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon. “It’s mostly technical talk, it’s about having A runs and B runs and boosting those up now that I know what jumps to expect.”

Geoffroy-Gagnon was recently practicing in Switzerland and on Monday, he left for physical testing.

As of now, he is still unsure if he will get a spot for the first world cup event at the end of November.

“I’m still waiting to see if I have a spot at the world cup in Austria,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon.

“There has been a change in the world cup system so there are 40 spots less. It depends on who is going. It will be a little harder but I have a good ranking.”

If he doesn’t get a spot at the first world cup then he said he will be busy training in Whitehorse at Mount Sima.

“I’ll be happy regardless,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon. “I’ll do more training and focus in on January. This year I am planning to do the NorAm circuit and trying to get that NorAm title.”

Geoffroy-Gagnon said the winner of the NorAm gets an automatic spot at next year’s world cup.

The 2021 season will be an important year in the winter sports world as 2022 will be the Beijing Winter Olympics.

“I am trying to set myself up for next year,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon.

Geoffroy-Gagnon has a strong, no-quit mentality going into this season with his sights squarely set on his goals.

“It won’t be easy and won’t be given to me,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon. “I’ll give it all I got to try and get that Olympic spot and I won’t back down until I know. You can’t back down, it’s that all or nothing mentality.

“Win or loose I am improving my skills and sooner or later I’m jumping up to the A-team. I’m not going to stop until I get there.”

On the developmental team, Geoffroy-Gagnon said there are some new talented recruits.

“They are really good,” said Geoffroy-Gagnon. “It is a competitive environment. I’m doing everything I can to hold my spot and I am feeling confident in my abilities.”