Thénault recognized with FIS Climate Action Award

Canadian aerials star Marion Thénault has been recognized for her work away from the competition site, receiving the Best Athlete award at the 2026 FIS Climate Action Awards in Geneva.

The awards, presented during the FIS Autumn Meetings, recognize National Ski Associations, Local Organizing Committees and athletes for their commitment to climate action. Thénault earned the individual athlete honor for her efforts to reduce her own environmental impact while also looking for ways to make meaningful changes within the sport.

The 26-year-old Canadian reduced her personal carbon footprint from 27.8 to 16.5 tCO₂e, while her analysis of the FIS Aerials World Cup calendar identified potential changes that could save 3,971 kilometres of travel and 73 tCO₂e across the tour.

“I started to provide data to FIS Freestyle to optimize our World Cup calendar, and that actually made a difference,” said Thénault.

For Thénault, the recognition is the result of a process that began with a relatively simple idea and gradually developed into a bigger part of her life as an athlete.

“My climate advocacy started small. I pitched a project with no expectations. They thought it was a good idea, we started the project, and it led to more opportunities to use my voice.”

That first initiative encouraged Thénault to continue looking for areas where she could contribute.

“I started to reach out to more people with more ideas of how we could do things better. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t.”

Her message to fellow athletes and others within the snow sports community is equally straightforward.

“This is my call. To athletes, but not just athletes. Make that first step. Get involved. Start small. Act towards something you care about.”

Looking back on how that first step has shaped her career, Thénault added:

“For me, it gave new dimensions to my career and I couldn’t be more grateful for that younger version of me that took that first step.”