An Epochal Open Letter From Mikaela Shiffrin To The Alpine Skiing Community
To my fellow skiers, enthusiastic supporters, and the entire global skiing community,
As I sit down to write this, my heart is filled with gratitude, introspection, and a great appreciation for the trip we have taken together. Skiing has been more than just a sport to me; it has been my life’s passion, biggest challenge, and most deep teacher. None of this would have been possible without the unrelenting support of my family, team, and the great ski community that has helped me succeed throughout my career.
From my first days on the slopes, when I was a child dreaming of racing down the world’s largest mountains, to standing on podiums in the biggest contests, the people around me have shaped every step of my path. My coaches’ support, my family’s sacrifices, and the unending affection of fans around the world have given me the strength to persevere, even in the most trying times.
The world of alpine skiing is unique—not just for the speed, technical accuracy, or spectacular mountains we race down, but also for the camaraderie and respect we share as athletes and fans. I’ve had the honour of competing alongside some of history’s greatest skiers, individuals who have encouraged me to improve every day. The ferocious competitiveness on the slopes has always been balanced by a deep mutual respect off of them, which is genuinely unique to our sport.
Every young skier who aspires to follow in my footsteps should know that your journey will be unique, and each difficulty will develop you into the athlete and person you are destined to be. Accept every fall as a lesson, every triumph as a reason to celebrate, and every race as an opportunity to learn. Above all, never lose sight of why you came here in the first place: you love the sport.
To the supporters who have cheered me on in every race and offered notes of encouragement in both triumph and adversity, you have no clue how much their belief has meant to me. Your enthusiasm nourishes our sport, and I am eternally grateful for the energy and love you offer to skiing.
This is not a farewell, but a genuine thank you. The mountains will always be my home, and I will always be a member of this amazing skiing community.
With infinite gratitude,
Mikaela Shiffrin