The 29-year-old from Montreal, an eight-time X-Games gold medallist in slopestyle, has been forced to admit defeat following several years of injuries. 

"Several factors played into this decision," said Turski in a statement from Freestyle Canada.. 

"It's not the first time I've had health issues.

"I've had four major knee surgeries, one pancreas operation, I've had iron plates put into my arms, my fingers...but I always persevered. 

"I've been getting headaches daily for a few years. 

"They vary in intensity, but it's every day.

"It probably comes from all the impacts I've had on my neck over the years. 

"My nervous system is completely haywire. Knees, shoulders - you can come back from that. 

"But my head, my brain - that's more important in my view. 

"While I still have the choice, I decided it wasn't worth it to go on."

Slopestyle was added to the Olympic programme for Sochi 2014 but Turski, already suffering from injuries, could finish only 19th.

"I'm very proud to have contributed in a significant way to women's slopestyle," Turski, winner of the 2013 World Championships, said. 

"There weren't a lot of women in the sport when I started.

"I always wanted to set the bar high."

Turski is now working on a degree in psychology at the University of British Columbia and hopes to become a sports psychologist.

"I’ll certainly miss the freedom the sport allowed me, and my ski family, with whom I forged such strong bonds in pursuit of our common goals," she said.

"But I’ve lived my dream, and learned invaluable lessons throughout it. 

"What else could I ask for?

"The beauty is now I get to sculpt and pursue a whole new one."