The story of Ryan Wedding, the former Olympic snowboarder now on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list, is often discussed in connection with the serious allegations against him involving organized crime and drug-related activities. However, the background of this notable figure extends into a seemingly ordinary Canadian family, a household where skiing and snowboarding were central passions and a way of life. The path that reportedly led a former Olympic athlete to become a fugitive known as “El Jefe” began in a sport-oriented family in Thunder Bay, Ontario, where a young Ryan was first introduced to the mountains that would shape his early years.
Understanding Ryan Wedding involves looking at the family that raised him—a family deeply involved in the world of winter sports. He was born on September 14, 1981, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, the eldest of three children. His parents, Karen and Rene Wedding, raised Ryan and his two younger sisters in an environment where athletic achievement and outdoor activities were highly valued.
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A Family Immersed in Skiing Culture
The Weddings were deeply connected to the Canadian skiing community. Ryan’s interest in snow sports was a family tradition. His maternal grandparents, Laurence and Marlyn Spiess, owned the Mount Baldy Ski Area, a small, community-oriented ski resort near Thunder Bay. The resort was a family-run operation where Marlyn handled ticketing and Laurence managed various aspects of the facility. For the Spiess and Wedding families, skiing was a core part of their lifestyle.
This strong link to winter sports extended to other relatives. Ryan’s uncle, Craig Spiess, served as a coach for the Canadian women’s national alpine ski team in the early 1990s. His father, Rene Wedding, was an engineer by profession but had also competed in skiing during his university years. Growing up in this setting, Ryan was introduced to skiing and snowboarding at a very young age. His mother, Karen (née Spiess), was likewise part of this skiing-oriented family.
The US Department of State offers a reward of up to $15 million for info leading to the arrest &/or conviction of #FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Ryan James Wedding, wanted for allegedly running & participating in a transnational drug trafficking operation: https://t.co/YyLpIU4Nmi pic.twitter.com/3DdiopiL9W
— FBI Most Wanted (@FBIMostWanted) November 19, 2025
When Ryan was 12, his father relocated the family from Thunder Bay to Coquitlam, British Columbia, for work. It was in Coquitlam that Ryan began pursuing snowboarding more seriously, quickly showing exceptional natural ability.
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Ryan Wedding’s Siblings and Early Athletic Success
As the eldest child, Ryan had two younger sisters who grew up in the same active household. While little public information is available about their personal lives, they shared the same athletic upbringing. Ryan was described as an adventurous and focused child, channeling his energy into activities ranging from detailed drawing to outdoor exploration. He won the first snowboarding race he ever entered, signaling his competitive talent early on. His skill attracted the attention of Bob Allison, a former professional skier assembling an elite snowboarding program, and by age 15, Ryan had earned a spot on the Canadian national team.
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The family continued to support Ryan’s goals into adulthood. After his snowboarding career concluded with a 24th-place finish at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, Ryan moved to Vancouver and briefly attended Simon Fraser University. When he left school after two years, his father, Rene, helped him enter the real estate market by providing a $250,000 loan to purchase and renovate a property in Maple Ridge.
This family assistance marked the beginning of Ryan’s involvement in real estate. The contrast between his supportive, sports-focused upbringing and the serious criminal allegations that emerged later has made Ryan Wedding a particularly intriguing figure in public discourse.
