Racing Without Compromise: Emma Archibald’s Journey to Belonging

Emma Archibald’s path to Para nordic skiing started later than most, but what she found in the sport was something far more valuable than podiums, she found a place where she could be herself. “I didn’t come into skiing thinking I had to prove something,” Emma says. “I just wanted to find a place where I didn’t have to compromise who I was.” 

Growing up in Nova Scotia, Emma and her two younger sisters tried just about every sport available. “Between the three of us, I feel like we ticked off all the different types of sports growing up… Soccer, basketball, hockey, volleyball, track and field, cross-country running.” Her family was always active, and her parents encouraged Emma to try every sport and find adaptations that allowed her to participate. “My mom was from a small town in Ontario and basically tried all the different sports and excelled at a lot of them. My dad was a hockey goalie growing up. They loved physical activity and still do.” 

That encouragement to try everything and chase her goals shaped Emma’s mindset early on. “I was always just trying to make it not as obvious,” she says, referring to adapting to her physical differences. “Whether it was fitting in or just trying to adapt, I was always determined. I’d see something I wanted to do and just try to figure out a way to do it.” 

Emma Archibald and Her Sisters Ice Skating in Fall River N.S.

That determination eventually led her to Para sport. In 2019, Emma attended a Paralympic search event in Halifax. “My mom saw it on Facebook,” she recalls. After a series of fitness tests, cross-country skiing was one of the sports she was identified for. “I was doing cross-country running at the time, and I figured it’s kind of the same thing on snow. Don’t really know what it is yet, but yeah, let’s figure it out.” Among the camp facilitators was Mark Arendz, who at the time had already become an icon of Para sport in Canada. “I remember meeting him the first time and thinking about how cool it was at the time to meet a Paralympic medalist. It was part of the reason I wanted to try Para cross-country in the first place.” 

“I automatically fell in love with it, with the people and the challenge of it,” she says. “It was a challenge getting started… but it was just a different type of challenge.” What made Para nordic skiing different was the way it embraced her. “I think what Para sport brought to me was the ability to not try to force something,” she says. “You don’t have to fit into something. It’s already a system that works. You just do your thing.”  

Rather than finding an adaptation that allows Emma to ski with poles, the sport has a category that allows Emma to compete without poles. 

Emma Archiblad Races at the 2023 Nordiq Canada Ski Nationals in Thunder Bay ON.

That mindset of striving to find a solution to a challenge and not letting it deter you from trying helped shape her trademark optimism. “I’ve had tough seasons,” she says. “There were times I didn’t know what was next, or if I was doing the right thing. But I’ve learned that optimism is something you build. It’s not about pretending everything’s fine, it’s about believing that things can get better.” 

Emma’s journey from Nova Scotia to the World Cup circuit has been fast-paced and full of milestones. After joining the University of Ottawa’s Nordic team, she was soon invited to a Nordiq Canada development camp in Canmore. From there, her career took off. In her debut season, she earned bronze in the overall World Cup standings, securing a spot on the National Ski Team. Last season, she competed in her first Para Cross-Country World Ski Championships and continues to chase her first individual World Cup podium. 

Emma Archibald Celebrates her Bronze in the 2023-24 Overall World Cup Standings

As she looks ahead to a Paralympic year, Emma is focused on continuing to grow. “Every year, I just want to get better and better,” she says. “Now, having two World Cup seasons under my belt, I understand what it takes to get up there.” 

But beyond the excitement to chase podiums, or continuously improve, is the excitement to represent those who have helped and encouraged Emma to get to where she is now.  

 “I think it’s going to be very emotional,” she says about the possibility of racing at the Paralympics. “Just thinking about all the people that helped get me to this point. Even just getting to find a sport that I love I think it’s all going to come together in a really cool way.” 

She races for her family, who encouraged her to try everything and never let her feel limited. She races for her friends, who trained alongside her, pushed her, and celebrated her wins. She races for her sister, who she watched compete for Canada in soccer, and who now watches her do the same. “I feel like the people motivate me,” Emma says. “They really have pushed me and continue to support me.” 

Stories like Emma’s remind us of the power of community. Behind every athlete wearing the maple leaf are teammates, coaches, families, and supporters who lift them to the start line and carry them forward. As we head into this Paralympic year, we’re on a mission to make sure no athlete has to pay to compete for Canada. Please consider joining our community in supporting athletes like Emma by donating to the Podium Pathway Fund. Your gift helps them train, compete, and chase Paralympic dreams without financial barriers. 

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Behind every champion is a community that believed in them first.