Since joining Team Canada five years ago, Liam Gill has become accustomed to spending the bulk of the year away from home.Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Gearing up for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy, Liam Gill has been travelling far and wide to hone his craft. In October, the half-pipe athlete was in Laax, Switzerland, to attend snowboard camp with his team of five.
The snowboarding season begins in October and ends in June. During that time, Gill travels internationally for competitions, showing off his skills in Switzerland, Austria, China, Japan, the U.S., and at a New Year’s Day competition in his hometown of Calgary.
“This year will be my first time in Italy,” said the 22-year-old. “I’ve got some work to do to prepare for the Olympics, but I’m excited.”
Since joining Team Canada five years ago, Gill has become accustomed to spending the bulk of the year away from home. He travels up to 12 times a year, for two to three weeks at a time.
All that travel has helped him perfect his airport strategy. He checks the airline website for the bag drop-off closing time – which is usually 20 to 30 minutes before boarding – and arrives at the airport with just enough time to check his snowboard bag and get to his gate.
“I like to cut it down to the last minute,” said Gill. “I don’t like sitting at the airport for hours.”
Gill’s snowboard bag can weigh up to 80 pounds, since he packs two of everything in case something breaks: snowboards, bindings, helmets and goggles. To keep things efficient, he leaves his snowboard bag packed and ready to go throughout the season. He brings a carry-on for clothing, including up to 15 pairs of snowboard socks.
Trackers such as AirTags have come in handy for Gill, since airlines have lost his bags multiple times. Two years ago, he missed two days of practice tracking down his snowboard bag after it was lost on a flight to Zurich.
“As a snowboarder, you get used to your board, and your equipment is really precious. I like to know it’s safe and travelling with me,” he said.
The carry-on: Dakine Carry-On Roller Bag
“My granny bought me this luggage when I was 14 and started travelling internationally. It’s great because it fits everything I need. I can squeeze more into soft-shell versus hard-shell luggage.”
Buying options
$195, buy at Dakine
The board: Lib Tech Cold Brew Snowboard
“The snowboard I use is a collaboration between Source Boards, in Alberta, and Lib Technologies. I’ve lost my bag multiple times – once before the World Cup in Laax, Switzerland, when it got stuck at Heathrow. The staff told me to buy a new one, but I flew to London that same day to find it. It probably seemed foolish, but our boards are special. That year, I had my best-ever finish.”
Buying options
$700, buy at The Source
The tuque: MEC Relaxed Merino Tuque
“This tuque hugs my head perfectly and keeps me warm.”
Buying options
$30, buy at MEC
Retro travel entertainment: Rubik’s Cube
“I had my first snowboard injury when I was 13, and my mom bought me a Rubik’s Cube. I’ve been travelling with it ever since. It’s a nice way to keep my mind busy.”
Buying options
$13, buy at Walmart
The headphones: Apple AirPods 1st Generation
“Snowboarding is one of the only sports where you can listen to music while riding. The first generation of Apple’s AirPods is essential, because I can just tap them to change the music. While I’m riding, I don’t want to take my gloves off to change the music. While I’m in-flight, and for everything else, I use the AirPods Max, since they cancel the noise and fit well over my head.”
Buying options
$100, buy at Apple
The travel comfort shoe: Classic Realtree Crocs
“I don’t like to walk around my hotel room barefoot or with socks, so Crocs are easy because I can slip them on and off. I also travel with a pair of moccasins made by an elder from Fort Simpson in the Northwest Territories – my community of the Liidlii Kue First Nation.”
Buying options
$75, buy at Crocs
The personal bag: Lululemon Everywhere Backpack
“I’ve been using this backpack for a while. It’s an easy, simple bag that fits everything I need while I’m on a flight.”
Buying options
$88, buy at Lululemon
