Ski Like Ole
Ski Like Ole Award
This very special award has been created to honor Ole Heie & his awesome values, as well as to recognize you & yours! The Ski Like Ole award is open to Nordiq Alberta athletes of ALL ages. You can nominate yourself or someone you feel embodies Ole’s values. There are TWO awards available with funding between $500 – $1000 for each winner. This funding can be used for travel expenses, ski equipment costs, or an Ole-riffic adventure!
The 2023 – 2024 Ski Like Ole Award Recipients are:
- Will Armstrong
- Justin Konoff
Congratulations!
About Ole
Ole Heie was born bright and early Feb 11, 2009, and lit up the world from that very moment. He became a phenomenal athlete with aspirations to be on the National Team, go to the Olympics and inspire people of all ages & abilities to do things they never thought they were capable of. Unfortunately, Ole was suddenly and unexpectedly taken from us on July 10, 2021 at the age of 12 while out for a run – leaving his friends, family, teammates, and the entire Nordic community shocked & devastated.
“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.”
– Steve Prefontaine.
Ole loved this quote and it was his philosophy in life – he believed this to his very core. Ole did everything to the absolute best of his ability. Whether that meant being his best self as an athlete, best friend, best brother, best son, farmer, musician, student, classmate, teammate – He took great pride in being the very best he could be at everything he did. He always said “If you’re not doing your best, then what’s the point in doing it at all?”
Ole was joyful. He had the ability to make people happy. He had the most kind, gentle, funny personality, he made every single person feel special, and you could tell he was smiling from behind. He had an uncanny way of making anyone and everyone laugh, feel like they belonged and that they were capable of amazing things – no matter who they were or what they did.
Ole was a lifelong member of the Camrose Ski Club, falling in love with cross country skiing before he could really even walk (his Mum was coaching big sister Ava & the Bunnies and he was along for the ride – or ski!). It didn’t take Ole long to become well known for befriending (annoying) & chasing the big kids. He spent a lot of time face first in the snow, but as he worked tirelessly on his technique, he became an amazing athlete, teammate, and competitor – and he got fast – really really fast. By the time he was 12 years old, he had crushed some impressive goals. He ran his first mountain Ultra Marathon (53 km) in nasty rainy weather, reached 1000 km in the first 54 days of his last ski season, and made National News with his single day 102.17km ski.
He took pride in being a good sport & made sure to not only high five, but to shake everyone’s hand on the podium with him – a gesture that at first took people by surprise but later became something very special shared amongst those who got to stand with him. Ole was as proud of his competitors as he was himself and viewed them as future teammates hoping that one day he might possibly be skiing with them on the National Team.
Although often one of the first to finish a race, Ole’s success never went to his head. This little Legend had a heart of gold and was always looking out for others. He would enthusiastically run up & down the finish line cheering every last skier on – giving them that last little burst of energy they didn’t know they had. He loved encouraging people of all ages and all abilities – whether in person or connecting online. Ole became known for his blonde hair flowing behind him while shouting encouraging words and flashing his beautiful smile along the trails to anyone and everyone everywhere he went – other athletes, little kids, Olympians and even Moms pushing strollers – Ole was often found most mornings at 5am curled up in a funky chair in the entrance of their farm house giving countless kudos to his growing number of friends and followers from around the world on Strava and Instagram.
Ole never wasted a single moment. He truly lived every second of every day to his very best. In doing so, he started a movement and has left a lasting impact on all of us. Ole has made people more conscious of the way they live their lives and he continues to inspire people to live every moment to its absolute fullest. To learn more about Ole’s story, follow @livelikeole on instagram.
Ski Like Ole Swag
Merchandise has been created as reminders for those who are inspired to #livelikeole.
All proceeds from the merchandise will help Ole’s family do amazing things for athletes & communities that Ole would be proud to be a part of – as well as help Ole’s Legacy grow and keep his incredible spirit alive.
Looking to purchase Ski Like Ole merchandise? Check out the Ski Like Ole Swag page at www.livelikeole.ca