Kimberly Joines has always strived to achieve and surpass the highest of expectations, and prided herself on her ability to overcome obstacles.  Raised on sport and athletic competition, her sights were always set on being the best in the world at something.  Athlete of the year in her high school in 1999, and well versed in numerous sports, she struggled to decide which to truly focus her efforts on.  After weighing options and graduating high school, she moved to the mountains to pursue her love for snowboarding.  

As fate would find it, the mountains served to dictate her future path. 

1999/2000 was a phenomenal ski season.  Kimberly rode 106 days that year, and learned a wealth of tricky maneuvers on a snowboard.  With only days before her entrance onto the competitive scene, her path was redirected.  On March 26, 2000 Kimberly sustained a spinal cord injury in a terrain park accident, losing the use of her legs.  No longer able to snowboard, the only SANE decision was to strap into a sit ski, throw on a single ski and get back to shredding the way she always had.  13 years later, a successful veteran on the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team, her passion for the sport is more alive than ever, and results have placed her in the top ranks of the world.

“The sport has come a long way since I have been involved in it.  Equipment has evolved over time to eliminate what was once perceived as physical limitations, and increase World Cup competition.  The able bodied world is extending their respect and understanding of the incredible talent that Para-alpine athletes possess.”  As the journey to Sochi 2014 begins, athletes like Kimberly strive to represent their unique sport, contradict stereotypes and empower those who think things are not within their own ability.