Teenage Olympian Skier's Dubuque Roots

Tallulah Proulx, the first woman and youngest athlete to represent the Philippines at the Winter Olympics, honed her skills at Sundown Mountain in Dubuque, Iowa.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Tallulah Proulx, a 17-year-old skier, is the first woman and youngest athlete to represent the Philippines at the Winter Olympics. Before moving to Colorado to advance her training, Proulx spent three years racing at Sundown Mountain in Dubuque, Iowa, where her former coach recognized her exceptional talent at a young age.

Why it matters

Proulx's story highlights how small-town ski slopes can produce world-class athletes, and how her success at the Olympics can inspire young people in Dubuque and the Philippines to pursue their athletic dreams.

The details

Proulx's family moved to Iowa for her mother's work when she was young, and she began racing at Sundown Mountain in Dubuque. Her former ski coach, Justin Mills, said he could spot her talent early on and encouraged her family to take her out west to further develop her skills. After three years in Dubuque, Proulx's family moved to Colorado, where she continued her training before qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

  • Proulx spent three years racing at Sundown Mountain in Dubuque, Iowa.
  • Proulx will compete in the women's giant slalom on Sunday, February 15th and the women's slalom on Wednesday, February 18th.

The players

Tallulah Proulx

A 17-year-old skier who is the first woman and youngest athlete to represent the Philippines at the Winter Olympics.

Justin Mills

Proulx's former ski coach at Sundown Mountain in Dubuque, Iowa, who recognized her exceptional talent at a young age.

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What they’re saying

“She's kind of a unicorn a little bit. I remember having conversations with her mom, saying, 'I think you need to take her out west.' We can only train so much and so hard here”

— Justin Mills, Former ski coach (KCRG)

What’s next

Proulx will compete in the women's giant slalom on Sunday, February 15th and the women's slalom on Wednesday, February 18th at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The takeaway

Proulx's journey from small-town Dubuque to the Olympic stage shows how local ski hills can produce world-class talent, and her success can inspire young athletes in Iowa and the Philippines to pursue their dreams.