Beautiful skiing on the trails at Pocaterra in Kananaskis country.

- Happy New Year! Chinese New Year isn't celebrated until February, but I only know one phrase in Cantonese so may as well put it to good use. The holiday season was more of a 'Turkey Training Camp' for me - fuelled by a lot of family time, good food and great skiing conditions in the Bow Valley. I rang in the New Year at my family's restaurant, Ticino's in Banff.

Since I last posted, I have ousted my December cold and rejoined the racing scene in Silver Star, BC. Even so they were lack lustre performances on my part - I placed 4th in both the Classic Sprint and 15km Skate Individual - it was great to be back on the racing scene. It is always way more fun to be out there in the mix with your teammates than watching from the sidelines!

Dahria, Annika and I cooling down after the 15km Skate NorAm at Sovereign Lake Nordic. Congratulations Dahria on your first NorAm podium - a win!

Christmas time - it's just the best time!

Sun setting over the stadium at Sovereign Lake Nordic.

Looking back on the year comes at a funny time for ski racers. We are well into the racing season and our calendar seems to roll on a different schedule, based on seasons rather than months of the year, but it is fun to reflect nonetheless. For me, 2014 was highlighted by my qualification for the Olympics in Sochi. Representing Canada and realizing a childhood dream was an incredible experience. This, followed by the harsh realities of racing on the World Stage. New highs are always followed by the humbling ground. Here are a few photos from my year in review! As always, it's my family, friends and Mother Nature that get me through this 'ol journey of life.

Qualifying for the 2014 was a huge highlight for me. Achieving this lifelong goal alongside many close friends made it even better! EmNish and I hugging after her crushing victory in the 10km Classic.

Chandra and I post sprint race qualifier in Sochi. The highs of qualifying for the Olympics followed by the lows of coming short of my goals at the Games. Grateful to have friends and family to get me through!

Canadian Ladies. Hanging out in Sochi.

Taking in some recharge time on a surf trip with friends in Panama. #surfboards #turnerturner

Back to training in May with the best spring skiing at Sunshine Village.

Touring parts of Canada as part of the Canadian Olympic Excellence series was an incredible experience. Sharing my Olympic story, smiles and high-fives with super keen kids across the country was an incredible experience!

My sister and brother-in-law's wedding day was a highlight of 2014 and of my life! I'm still on a love high from that day. Xo

Training times! A gorgeous fall roller ski in Park City, Utah. Photo: Fred Vezina

Moraine Lake Road on Christmas Eve. My favourite place to ski in the Bow Valley.

Back to 2015 - The Academy ladies rejoined for training last week and after a couple of solid intensity workouts, we are ready to charge at the NorAm races in Duntroon, Ontario this weekend. These races will count for January World Cup selection to race in Otepaa, Estonia as well as Rybinsk, Russia. We will compete Janurary 8, 10 and 11th in a 15km Skiathalon, Classic Sprint and 10km Skate Individual.

Alysson and I pushing the classic on the trails at the Canmore Nordic Centre.

Dahria, Alysson and I in a team sprint format workout with a few UofA and Foothills Nordic athletes joining in.

2015 is full of opportunity and I'm excited to take full advantage of any that I can get a hand on. Looking through the news and media coverage of the top 100's and 'Best Of' lists from 2014, you realize how fast paced and complex our world is. I'm always a fan of the simple, so it was a sigh of relief when I came across a news article releasing preliminary information for a website platform that would amalgamate YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. Incredible idea! It's set to release in the fall of 2015 and rumoured to be title 'You Twit Face'.

Bad jokes. I can never resist them. Wishing you a Happy New Year. Gong Hei Fard Choy!

My family celebrates Christmas with home-made Secret Santa gifts. I drew my sister's name this year and made these glass coasters and refinished a bulletin board with some wood burning designs.