Vail resident and ski racer, Mikaela Shiffrin, was at Copper Mountain on April 11 where 30 girls from elevateHER, got to ski with the 2026 FIS World Cup women’s slalom and overall champion for a special day on the slopes.
According to Copper Mountain, elevateHER, a Share Winter Foundation grantee, provides young women with access to outdoor adventure, mentorship and wellness programming, helping build confidence, resilience and leadership skills through year-round experiences.
“I am in Copper for a ski day with a group of girls who have been involved with the Share Winter Foundation,” Shiffrin said in an interview. “I’m really excited to be here, met the girls just a bit ago and they are all so nice and so excited.”
Out on the mountain, the girls took laps with Shiffrin.
She shared tips, coached beginners, and worked through drills with more advanced skiers and riders, according to Copper Mountain.
According to Copper Mountain, the on-snow experience gave the girls a chance to learn directly from Shiffrin in a fun, supportive environment, building confidence while creating a meaningful connection to the sport.
“I love to see the passion for skiing, and especially from a group that maybe isn’t directly involved with ski racing; there’s no agenda other than enjoying it,” Shiffrin said.
When the girls were not on the hill, the group spent time with Shiffrin asking questions, sharing stories, and getting autographs.
She also brought along her Olympic gold medal from the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, giving the girls a chance to see it up close and celebrate her performance.
“Skiing has been such a gift in my life, and being able to share it with more people and actually find connection through, basically on the mountain, that’s one of the most beautiful experiences,” Shiffrin said.
The day was part of Shiffrin’s “The GOAT Gives Back” initiative with Share Winter Foundation, which focuses on expanding access to skiing and snowboarding, and supporting youth participation in the sport, Copper Mountain said.
The resort provided lift tickets, rentals and gifts to participants to support the experience. Oakley, Ikon Pass and TOGETHXR each provided swag and giveaways for participants as well.
“I think for young girls and boys, having this access, I know what it has done in my life, and I can only imagine what it gives to others that don’t have the opportunity to do this (skiing) every single day,” Shiffrin said.
