The 33-year-old rider from Petite-Riviere-St-Francois, Que., finished well back of the Czech Republic’s Eva Samkova on a mild, sunny afternoon at Rosa Khutor Extreme Park. France’s Chloe Trespeuch was third.
It is the second medal for Maltais in the event. She won bronze at the 2006 Torino Olympics.
“It’s a good revenge for Vancouver. I wanted to prove to the world that I could do better than in Vancouver,” said Maltais, who was 20th in this event four years ago.
Samkova was dominant throughout the event, placing first in her quarterfinal and semifinal heats, as well as the final.
Maltais won her quarterfinal heat easily, but had a much more dramatic finish in the semis. She was jostling for third when American Lindsey Jacobellis — who was well ahead of the pack — fell.
Maltais dodged the rolling Jacobellis to win the semifinal and earn her way in to the final.
Jacobellis was not the only rider to crash on the tough course.
Russian ski cross racer Maria Komissarova sustained a severe spinal injury on Saturday during training and several snowboarders were injured on Sunday.
Jackie Hernandez of the U.S. sustained a concussion after smacking her head into the snow during qualifying. She was treated and released but was unable to compete in the elimination rounds.
Helene Olafsen of Norway hurt her knee during qualifying and needed to be taken off the mountain on a stretcher.
There were a series of falls once the riders found themselves riding six-across. Defending Olympic champion Maelle Ricker of West Vancouver, B.C., went down in the quarterfinals trying to make an aggressive pass in a turn.
It has been a frustrating season for Ricker — she suffered a wrist injury last month that required surgery.
— The Associated Press and Canadian Olympic Committee contributed to this report
