By Kate Bartlett
Born and raised in Western New York, Jillian Vogtli grew up skiing the slopes of Ellicottville. Determined by nature, Jillian has gained many prestigious accolades for skiing, including skiing in two Olympics. She was raised in Ellicottville and graduated from Ellicottville Central.
Jillian has many fond memories skiing in Ellicottville during her childhood. “I loved the comradery on the slopes; meeting up with my friends, cheering each other on. I loved the freedom skiing brought; feeling the wind on my cheeks. It was therapeutic, and I always wanted more.” When she was 10 years old, Jillian wrote in her diary that she was going to go to the Olympics, not once, but twice, but at that time she thought it’d be in gymnastics.
At the age of 14, Jillian became more serious about competing, but it is an expensive sport. Vicki and the late Chris ‘Moose’ Brown saw potential in her, and they began sponsoring her with equipment and often covering the Holiday Valley Freestyle Team fees. Once Jillian graduated from ECS, she attended
Brockport, returning home every weekend to coach and hone her skills. Upon graduating from college, she had $204 in her pocket and a big dream. “I had a dream of competing in the Olympics. I wasn’t sure how I could afford it, but I knew that it was right in my heart.
It was around this time that Ellicottville and Holiday Valley called Jillian informing her of a local fundraiser to support her. “I cried with joy and relief. They did this for several years and the community’s love and support were what made my dream a possible.
She spent 13 years traveling the world on the US Ski Team and competed in 2 Olympic Games and 5 World Championships. “It wasn’t quite as easy as I’m perhaps making it sound. Beyond the money obstacle, every year and throughout the season, I was continually having to prove myself worthy of my spot on the team. What I lacked in talent, I doubled down with effort.” She has overcome many injuries (13 knee surgeries to date), two broken sternums, multiple concussions and a broken foot, but she never lost sight of her dream. She chuckles and said, “If I am nothing else, I am persistent and passionate.”
No matter where she was in the world, Jillian always kept Western New York at heart. “The honor of standing on the world stage and representing our country was incredible.” Between the the 2002 and 2006 Olympics in which I competed, the rules of the sport changed, as flipping suddenly became legal. “There were many retirements after that announcement. I had to learn inverted jumps to stay in the game.” Her first flip on snow, she tried to sit back up and ended up landing on the back of her head and thankfully only broke her sternum. At this time, she was competing on the US Cycling Team as well, so she briefly “quit” skiing only to come back to her hearts true love soon thereafter.
Jillian has returned to Ellicottville Central School to speak to the students several times throughout her career. “It’s so important to deliver positive messages to our youth,” says Jillian. “My hope in speaking to children and adults alike is that sometimes we have to make our own luck and pave our way forward even when we have no idea of what is next. Sometimes we need a bit more grit and effort, and sometimes we need a bit more grace and gentleness. It is my hope that I can help others to dare to live their potential and to even stand taller in themselves. I encourage them to show up for their lives and to create a life that they love.”
Currently, Jillian is living in Park City, UT, working as an Holistic Wellness Coach. “My goal is to help people step into their best self, no matter where they are. I love what I do, and I believe in my practices.” Jillian is also a Olympic Ambassador at Deer Valley Resort where she leads Men’s and Women’s Empowerment Ski Clinics. Jillian will be inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in November 2025. “It’s a great honor to be recognized in my community; I’m incredibly grateful and humbled by this.”
Jillian’s passion for skiing is evident, but her positive and determined attitude fueled her passion, creating the athlete and even more so the person that she is today. Jillian hopes that the way she lives and shows up in life can help to remind others that “No matter what you’re doing in life, no matter where you are, show up for yourself, be kind to yourself, and surround yourself with people who are cheering you on.
For more information, visit jillianrachellevogtli.com and follow her on Instagram @jillianv_ or Facebook @JillianVogtliBody&Soul