Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Battersby. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Ashley was born to ski. She grew up in Chicago, and she’s the second of four children who all enjoy the same passion. An avid skier since the early age of 18 months, she was first put on skis and continued to evolve with and for the sport of freeskiing. It wasn’t preferable skiing almost all of her youth life in the Midwest where flat landings and ice are nothing but all there is to work with.
But from her small, 200ft vertical home hill in Wisconsin, she eventually had the fortitude and mental strength to turn her passion into a profession. She was regularly active throughout her and competed in other activities outside of skiing. Growing up, she was involved in gymnastics, track, and cheerleading. Ash was also commonly seen sliding handrails and gapping stair sets in downtown Chicago on skates. She agrees that her active youth and ability to adapt quickly to new activities have shaped her distinctive style of skiing.
Ashley was fortunate enough to leave the Windy City and surrounding Midwest ski resorts and move to Park City, Utah in 2002. During this time she was able to ski at least 50 or more days in the winter and later attended the Winter Sports School where the number of days on snow only increased. A former student at Westminster College for Aviation then transferred to the University of Utah to study Exercise Sports Science for Athletic Training.
Ashley Battersby has been a force to reckon with on the women’s slopestyle competition circuit with her fluid and technical rail skills, progressive jump tricks, and determined attitude. A local and team rider for Park City Resort in Park City, Utah, Ashley spends most of her time on the slopes either training for her next national or international events.
Ashley skis year-round and has traveled all over the world to compete, train, or film in places such as New Zealand, France, Austria, and many more. When not skiing, the Chicago native likes to stay in shape by working out at the gym, trampolining, rollerblading, cycling, and yoga. She also loves to coach at Windell’s Ski Camp in Mt. Hood, OR where she has many returning campers. While being a homebody, she has started her line of clothing A-bomb TM apparel, and showing her creative side by sewing hoodies, taking photos, and making web edits.
Ashley has undeniably inspired many people to ski and to push themselves in the sport, especially women. She has also been injured as she has had two ACL reconstructions and bounced back for the podium. Throughout her career, she has accumulated many trophies and medals including (but not limited to) first place at the Winter Dew Tour in Breckenridge, X-Games Europe medalist, first at AFP World finals women’s big air, and third place at the AFP World Finals women’s slopestyle event as well as an Olympic hopeful. Ashley is a bubbly, very dedicated, and independent athlete who doesn’t give up until she accomplishes her goals.
After repetitive knee surgeries, in 2015, she made a life-changing choice to retire and start a new chapter. After a few years of ski coaching and molding the new generation of skiers, she decided that she wanted to hang up the skis. Ashley has spent the majority of her lifetime in ski boots and finally, she was ready for a new change. Ashley decided to enroll in yoga teacher training and focus on getting her group fitness certifications. Ashley’s passion has been pursued in mindful movement as a fitness coach, yoga, and meditation teacher since 2015.
In Feb. 2019 after 11 months of rehabbing an old building, she opened a yoga and fitness studio in Coalville, Utah. She started as a women’s operation teaching up to 38 classes a week including her studio, other gyms in Park City, and privates all over Utah. She offers classes at her studio which all include mindful meditation, Power Vinyasa flows, sculpting, and small group training sessions.
Her studio a year later has grown to 7 knowledgeable instructors and thriving! During the winters, Ashley runs a ski program online and in person to prep for the ski season and also to stay continually strong to stay shreddy ready all year round!! Ashley won Park Records’ BEST Personal Trainer and 2nd Best Yoga Teacher in Park City in 2023.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think as I get older, the road gets smoother with perspective. There’s always something good in the bad – it is just the way we look at it. Injuries are hard, and it’s not IF it’s WHEN in a professional sport… keeping my eyes laser-focused on skiing helped me rehab and gently heal 7 knee surges, 7 hand surgeries, multiple concussions, and more.
The main struggle was coming back to sport … not so much the rehabilitation. That part was simple. It was returning and doing the same trick WITHOUT fear blocking the way. Of course, it takes time on skis, but it is a PRACTICE of the mind. 90% mental. I visualized my ski run over and over in my mind until I landed it BEFORE I tried a new trick.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Pro Athlete.
I was one of the first Women in Slopestyle/Park Skiing. I watched it grow and was one of the Pioneers of the sport for women.
I’m most proud of being on the first US Freeski team, being the first woman to win the Dew Tour, X-games medalist, and just being able to say I lived my dream. I’m so grateful for finding a love like skiing.
Now: I’m so humbled to be called the BEST Trainer in Park City and 2nd best yoga teacher. Being recognized in a different arena outside of skiing. To be honest, I didn’t know who I was WITHOUT skiing… but this helps me to know I’m on the right path.
What makes you happy?
Happiness I think is a state of mind. I do my best to not rely on outside factors to “make me happy”. It has to be within even when it feels like the world outside of you is shanking.
I will say what gives me the most joy and love so much I could cry thinking about, my dogs, my wonderful husband, my family, and the sisterhood I’ve made from skiing with my girls.
The gratitude I have for the people in my life and small circle makes me a better human, they push me to my very best and know what I’m capable of. This group in my life shows me unconditional love and support for whatever I want to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ashleticsllc.com
- Instagram: @_Ashletics_ & @ashleybattersby
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6hOHBb91lKEseXpFIe3xuw
