“I felt like a bag of bones,” Maisie Hill recalls after a catastrophic snowboarding accident that nearly claimed her life. In January 2023, while perfecting a trick in the Swiss Alps, Maisie crashed into a wall of ice, suffering a brain bleed, punctured lung, lacerated liver, and fractures to her vertebrae and ribs. Doctors warned she might never walk again.
Fast forward, Maisie, now 24 and a freestyle snowboarder from Cheltenham, is back on the slopes and aiming for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Her journey has been nothing short of inspiring. With sheer determination and support from the Olympic Solidarity programme, Maisie has defied the odds.
Recalling her accident, Maisie says, “I remember the doctor listing all my injuries, and I just wanted it to stop. I was crying, wishing they’d stop talking.” In her comeback season, fear and self-doubt crept in, but Maisie discovered a simple trick: smiling. “Every time I get to the top of the slope, a smile reminds me how lucky I am and how much I love snowboarding.”
Maisie’s passion began at eight years old when her father introduced her to snowboarding in Cheltenham. They later moved to the French Alps, where her talent blossomed. Despite setbacks, like missing out on Team GB selection at 18, Maisie remained relentless. She spent a summer living in a tent in Switzerland, working odd jobs to fund her training.
Her determination paid off when she began competing on the World Cup circuit, even claiming seventh place at her first event. But a foggy day in January 2023 changed everything. “I was going extremely fast and slipped off a rail, slamming into an ice wall. I couldn’t move,” Maisie reflects.
Yet, she refused to give up. After surgery, she experienced the relief of wiggling her toes, a hopeful sign. Returning to Cheltenham, she dedicated herself to intense rehabilitation. An unexpected grant from the Olympic Solidarity programme was a game-changer, allowing her to pursue her Olympic dreams.
By October 2023, Maisie was shredding snow in New Zealand, albeit urged by her coach to slow down her excitement. Despite setbacks, she continues to work with a sports psychologist to regain her confidence.
“Every time I have a bad run, I find a reason to smile. It reminds me to enjoy every moment and love what I do,” says Maisie. After finishing fifth in an Austrian World Cup, she’s on track for the Winter Olympics. Her journey is a testament to resilience, with a simple smile leading the way. ❄️⛷️✨