With University in the Rearview, Eleri Smart Turns New Leaf

Eleri Smart Gary Yee (garyphoto.ca)

As a child learning to ski at the remote, snow-hammered SilverStar resort in interior British Columbia, Eleri Smart was initially motivated by the hope of spotting fairies and the promise of hot chocolate at the end of the day.

“I have distinct memories of SilverStar going skiing while my parents were working. It was like our daycare. We’d go skiing with a ski instructor, but I remember not liking it. I would go to search for fairies in the forest. That kept me going,” says the 22-year-old Canadian, who graduated from Denver University last spring.

Smart’s first memory of skiing was when she was about 2, in New Zealand, where her parents went every summer to coach. Smart’s older sister, Amelia, took to the sport right away. When the family moved to Invermere, B.C., when Eleri was 10, her interest grew.

“I tried to copy her when we were younger,” Eleri says of her sister, who now competes in the World Cup for the Canadian national team. “Watching her get into racing, seeing how much fun she had, helped me get into it.”

By the time Eleri graduated from high school, the Canadian development team had dissolved and she had to choose between competing on the provincial team or going to university. Following again in her sister’s footsteps, she chose D.U.

The university years

“For her, the coach at the time was super supportive of having flexibility in her schedule, skiing World Cups and the college circuit,” Eleri says. “It’s been such a great team, a strong team for so many years. For a little 19-year-old, it was an amazing opportunity.”

Smart launched into her freshmen year in 2020 with a podium in her inaugural university slalom race, the D.U. Invitational.

“I remember it vividly,” she says. “It was just me and other freshmen on the team and Andrea, a senior. We had bibs one to seven. We raced one after another. It was like a training day. We all did well and Andrea was on the podium. To have teammates around me was so special. It was the best introduction to college skiing I could have had.”

Smart proceeded to land several more top 10s in slalom and top 15s in giant slalom on the college circuit and make a name for herself on the NorAm circuit. She earned a spot on the All-RMISA Women’s Alpine Second Team and the National Collegiate All-Academic Ski Team in 2020 and 2022.

During her senior year last season, Smart landed in the top 10 in several university and NorAm races.

“I know people say college goes by quickly, but it really did. It definitely flew by,” she says. “Being on a team like D.U. is such a unique experience as a ski racer — to have people be so genuinely excited to see you do well, to support you through that changing time, to go through college with you and all the emotions of ski racing as well. It was a special time.”

Smart graduated with a degree in Biology and a concentration in Cognitive Neuroscience. The death of actor Robin Williams inspired her to pursue this course of study.

“I was such a big fan,” she says. “He had Lewy Body Dementia and died by suicide. I watched a movie about his life. He had motor difficulties and brain fog that made him feel horrible. It happens with neurodegenerative disorders. It’s such a new field. I’d like to go into research for ALS and Huntington’s disease. I’ll eventually go back and do a Master’s.”

But first, skiing.

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Goals and motivation

“I’ve been super excited to take it to the next level this year without having to worry about school, to have the flexibility to do as much training and racing as I need,” she says, adding that she will tackle the NorAm circuit as well as mix in a couple of Europa Cups. Her father will be by her side.

“I’m excited to get a little more exposure over there,” she says of Europe. “It’s definitely a different level. I’m lucky to have my dad. He does everything for me. He’s my chauffeur, my technician, my coach.”

Racing independently, Smart will also have some help from SYNC.

“DU was sponsored by SYNC for a few years, so I was wearing their products anyway and loved the brand,” she says. “With the outerwear, also supported with a fund, it opens more opportunity and leeway, especially to look at the World Cup circuit and qualify through NorAms. It’s my goal to qualify to race some World Cups. I’m super excited to have this opportunity.”

Smart’s off to a solid start this season with a top 10 finish and a couple of top 15s at the first NorAm stop in Mt. Tremblant, as well as wins in every FIS race she’s started. She recently earned three top-ten finishes at the Stratton Mountain Resort NorAms. Notably, it included a 4th in giant slalom and a 5th in slalom.

As for motivation these days, she’s fueled by more than fairies and hot chocolate.

“I’m more motivated by skiing than hot chocolate,” she says. “I think I’m just a perfectionist. I love knowing I can be proud of a run I skied well. That gets me the most motivated.”