Olympic snowboarder Mark McMorris to be 2018 Stampede Parade Marshall

Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris has had quite the year.

In March 2017, McMorris was snowboarding through the Whistler backcountry when he misjudged a takeoff and hit a tree. Hard.

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He suffered a fractured jaw and left arm, ruptured spleen, a stable pelvic fracture, rib fractures, and a collapsed left lung — but that wouldn’t stop the Regina native from making a miraculous recovery in time to compete in the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Apparently a lot can change in a week.. So so thankful to have my life! It was touch and go there for a second and I don’t know how I can thank everyone enough for praying and sending healing vibes…. I hit a tree in the whistler backcountry a week ago and to be honest I was pretty sure I was going to die… @craigmcmorris @torsteinhorgmo @erinhogue @brandonkelly and @ryantiene saved my life by staying calm, building me a nest, and calling search and rescue🙏🏼 I will never take another day on this earth for granted .. 😌 Much Love❤

A post shared by Mark McMorris (@markmcmorris) on Apr 2, 2017 at 12:25pm PDT

McMorris went on to win a bronze medal in slopestyle snowboarding while he was in PyeongChang, and he will now be on his way to Calgary for this year’s Stampede.

Now, according to a tweet from the Calgary Stampede’s official Twitter account, McMorris will kick off the 2018 Stampede as Parade Marshall.

We are excited to announce two-time Canadian Olympic bronze medalist and 15-time X Games medalist, snowboarder @markmcmorris as this year’s Parade Marshal. Come join us as McMorris kicks off 10 days and 10 nights of Stampede at the @CSParade! pic.twitter.com/76k3zI2ygP

— Calgary Stampede (@calgarystampede) June 14, 2018

Fans of the snowboarder will be able to see him on Friday morning during the annual Stampede Parade, which kicks off the 10-day long festival – and we wouldn’t be surprised if McMorris decides to stick around for some Stampede fun in the days that follow, too!

2018 Calgary Stampede parade

When: Friday, July 6, 2018

Time: Parade Prelude starts at 8 am

Where: Starts at 9th Avenue and 1st Street SE and end at 6th Avenue and 3rd Street SE

Admission: Free!