Olympic Champion Mikaela Shiffrin Inspires Young Girls at Copper Mountain

The ski racing superstar shared wisdom and hit the slopes with a group of middle and high school students.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:20pm

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A vibrant, expressionist painting depicting the raw athletic energy and skiing movements of Mikaela Shiffrin and the young girls she inspired, with faces and figures dissolving into unrecognizable splatters of neon color.Mikaela Shiffrin's appearance at Copper Mountain sparked an explosion of energy and inspiration as she connected with the next generation of female skiers.Copper Mountain Today

Olympic gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin spent a day at Copper Mountain inspiring and skiing with a group of young girls from Colorado's Arkansas River Valley. The event, organized by the nonprofit elevateHer, allowed the students to hear Shiffrin's stories, ask her questions, and hit the slopes alongside the legendary skier. Shiffrin, who is considering scaling back her racing schedule, spoke about her passion for the sport, her plans for the future, and the importance of pursuing individual dreams.

Why it matters

Shiffrin's appearance at Copper Mountain provided a unique opportunity for young female athletes to connect with a role model and learn from her experiences. As one of the most successful ski racers of all time, Shiffrin's wisdom and guidance can help inspire the next generation of winter sports enthusiasts, especially young women, to pursue their passions both on and off the slopes.

The details

During the event, Shiffrin participated in a Q&A session where the girls asked her about her start in skiing, her mindset before races, and her childhood dreams. The Olympic champion also took the students skiing, allowing them to experience the sport alongside a true legend. Shiffrin, who is engaged to fellow ski racer Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, is considering scaling back her racing schedule as she contemplates life after skiing, including the possibility of starting a family.

  • Shiffrin appeared at Copper Mountain on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
  • The event was organized by the nonprofit elevateHer, which aims to empower young women through outdoor adventure.

The players

Mikaela Shiffrin

An American ski racer who has won three Olympic gold medals and holds the record for most World Cup wins by a skier.

Amalia McNeirney

An eighth-grade student from Salida, Colorado who was excited to meet and ski with Shiffrin.

Rose Lenth

Another eighth-grade student from Colorado who considers Shiffrin one of her heroes.

elevateHer

A nonprofit organization with a mission to empower young women through outdoor adventure.

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde

Shiffrin's fiancé, a Norwegian ski racer who won the World Cup overall title in 2020.

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What they’re saying

“I've never been more excited in my life. It's just really, really cool that we get to meet someone who is so famous and so generous. It makes my heart go really, really fast. The fact that she's been giving us stories about her home life, you can tell she's a good person and she wants to laugh with us. She's not just all about the fame and the money from winning the Olympics.”

— Amalia McNeirney, Eighth-grade student

“She's one of my heroes. I love her. I'm so impressed every time I watch her ski. She's like incredible, and it's inspiring that she's from Colorado, knowing that you can really do anything.”

— Rose Lenth, Eighth-grade student

“It's so cool to see all of these passions in the room that are completely different, but they still get to come together and enjoy snowsports. That's the most beautiful example of being in the mountains — skiing and snowboarding, these sports that we do — you're allowed to be an individual and still share a passion, celebrating everybody's uniqueness, all their different passions and lifestyles. It's healthy to get outdoors, to be in the open air and be moving your body, no matter what you want to do (for a living).”

— Mikaela Shiffrin

What’s next

Shiffrin will soon leave for a ski camp at Mammoth Mountain in California as she continues to train and prepare for the upcoming ski season.

The takeaway

Mikaela Shiffrin's appearance at Copper Mountain showcased her commitment to inspiring the next generation of female athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. By sharing her wisdom, passion, and personal experiences, Shiffrin demonstrated the power of role models in empowering young women to pursue their dreams, both in sports and in life.