heidi widmer
Assistant Leader
If she came with a User Manual it would read: for outdoor purposes only. Heidi was born and raised in Banff, currently lives in Canmore and considers herself a resident of the Bow Valley instead of picking a preferred side of the Rundle range. Time spent exploring is central to her being. As a firm believer in the value of play and nature connection, Forest Play proves to be the perfect fit.
Heidi has been with Forest Play since the Spring of 2019. The majority of her adolescent and adult life saw her competing internationally for both the Canadian (2012-2015) and Swiss (2015-2017) National Cross-country ski teams. Heidi represented Canada at the 2014 Olympics and since retiring from sport in 2018, she completed a BA in Communications and Entrepreneurial Management in 2020 and is currently completing a Masters in Environmental Education and Communication through Royal Roads University. Her thesis research explores art for nature connection with public school teachers to encourage more outdoor learning opportunities in Alberta.
Her transition from elite sport into the forest is fuelled by her passion for community, adventure and fun. In her spare time, Heidi still loves exploring on skis, nature-inspired art projects, ski touring and Mexican food. With play as her guide, Heidi is grateful for every opportunity to build connections in nature alongside the children of Forest Play.
