Reece Howden

Biography

Reece Howden made his Olympic debut at Beijing 2022 where he was eliminated in the quarterfinals, finishing ninth overall. 

Before becoming an elite competitor, Howden represented Team Canada at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer where he won the gold medal in men’s ski cross.

Howden is a three-time Crystal Globe winner, having finished atop the FIS World Cup ski cross standings in 2020-21, 2022-23, and 2024-25.

In his spectacular 2020-21 World Cup season, Howden won four events and finished second in two others. He missed advancing to a small final or big final in just three of his 11 events. He was also the top Canadian man in ski cross at the 2021 FIS World Championships, winning the small final to finish fifth overall. 

During the 2022-23 season, Howden reached the podium in seven of 12 World Cup events, including three victories. He also had his best world championship performances, finishing fourth individually and winning silver in mixed team ski cross with Marielle Thompson.

After being ranked second overall during the 2023-24 season, Howden reclaimed the Crystal Globe in 2024-25 on the strength of nine podiums, which included an incredible seven victories.

In December 2025, Howden became the all-time leader in World Cup victories in men’s ski cross when he earned his 19^th career win. By the end of January 2026, he had increased his record win total to 22.

Howden got his first taste of World Cup competition in January 2018 at the Canadian-hosted event in Nakiska. During the 2018-19 season in raced in two World Cup small finals, winning one. After another small final victory in December 2019, he raced in his first big final in Nakiska in January 2020 and came away with his first career World Cup victory. 

In 2017 Howden was a small finalist at the FIS Junior World Championships. He finished second in the 2016-17 Nor-Am Cup standings before winning the overall tour title in ski cross in 2017-18 on the strength of six straight podium finishes, including four victories. 

A Little More About Reece

Getting into the Sport: Started skiing at age 2… Was an alpine skier before switching to ski cross when he was 17… Outside Interests: Works in construction, building houses… Would like to pursue a career as a hydrographic surveyor… Enjoys backcountry skiing and snowmobiling, mountain biking, wakeboarding, hiking…  Odds and Ends: Mother Nancy played rugby internationally for Canada before it was an Olympic sport…