Vincent Gagnier

Vincent Gagnier was born on July 21, 1993, in Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada. He began skiing at a young age at Mont-Sainte-Anne. Growing up, he was influenced by skiers such as JF Cusson, Vinnie Dorion, JP Auclair, and Candide Thovex, who shaped his approach to freestyle skiing. His elder brothers, Antoine and Charles Gagnier, also significantly contributed to his development, serving as mentors and helping him cultivate a unique vision for tricks and style within the sport. This early exposure to varied styles and techniques laid the groundwork for his future career.

Gagnier’s competitive career highlights include significant achievements in Big Air events. In 2014, he earned a silver medal at the Winter X Games Aspen in Big Air. The following year, in January 2015, he achieved a gold medal in the Big Air competition at the Winter X Games XIX in Aspen, surpassing competitors like Bobby Brown and Elias Ambühl. His career progression also includes participation in FIS World Cup events, with notable placements such as 4th in Slopestyle in Breckenridge, USA, in 2014, and a victory in a Big Air World Cup event in Boston, USA, in 2016. Despite facing significant injuries, including a broken back and multiple ACL surgeries, Gagnier has maintained his pursuit of skiing, focusing on personal expression and innovative approaches over conventional competitive strategies.

His distinctive approach to skiing, often characterized by unique trick selection, has sometimes resulted in varied judging outcomes in competitions. However, this has not deterred him from staying true to his style, a principle he maintains pride in. Beyond competitions, Gagnier has actively engaged with the skiing community, including judging movies at iF3. He has also formed partnerships with brands such as J Skis, Rockstar Energy, O’Neill, and Salomon, collaborating on ski designs and content creation. His career reflects a commitment to personal style and progression within freestyle skiing, aiming to inspire others through his resilience and unique contributions to the sport.