Featured Image: Audrey Crowley/FIS Para Snow Sports
At just 19 years old, Audrey Crowley is already carving out an impressive place in international alpine skiing. The Eagle, Colorado native, who grew up skiing with Ski and Snowboard Club Vail and attending Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy, is one of the youngest athletes on Team USA and a rising force on the Para Alpine World Cup circuit. With multiple World Cup podiums and a bronze medal from last season’s World Championships, Crowley’s trajectory points firmly toward the sport’s biggest stage: the Milan Cortina Paralympic Winter Games.
But Crowley’s path has always been unique. Unlike many para athletes, she has spent her entire career competing in both para and able bodied alpine racing, an experience she credits with shaping her competitive mindset.
“I feel really lucky to have grown up racing and training able body,” Crowley said. “It constantly pushed me to try new things in order to keep up with my peers. Now getting to do both is a nice balance. I feel like I get the best of both worlds.”
A Breakthrough on the World Stage
Last season marked a major milestone when Crowley captured bronze at the World Championships, a performance that still stands out vividly in her mind.
“A moment from that race that still stands out was coming from behind in the second run,” she said. “I remember standing in the start knowing I really had to push out of my comfort zone if I wanted to medal in the race, and that’s what I did.”
The result confirmed what many in the ski world already suspected. Crowley is not just promising talent. She is already a serious contender.
Learning on the World Cup
Despite being one of the youngest athletes competing internationally, Crowley has embraced the opportunity to race at the World Cup level.
One of the biggest surprises has not been the speed or the pressure. Instead, it has been the community.
“One of the most surprising and best parts of being on the World Cup has been meeting and getting to know athletes from other nations,” she said.
Roots in Vail
Crowley’s foundation in ski racing was built in one of the sport’s most renowned development systems. Her years with Ski and Snowboard Club Vail and Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy helped shape both her skiing and her perspective.
“I’m so grateful for all the experiences with SSCV and VSSA,” she said. “The communities that I have gained from them are life changing. Just all the support and knowing a group of people have your back really allows for me to go out and chase my dreams.”
Building Speed and Consistency
With several podium finishes already under her belt, Crowley continues to refine her technique. Over the past season she has focused heavily on one key aspect of her skiing: her stance and the energy she brings out of the start.
“I’ve really been working on improving my stance and just trying to find that energy right from the start,” she said. “I’ve learned if I can fire aggressive out of the start I’m more likely to continue that fire all the way down.”
That focus on consistency will be critical as she continues to compete at the highest level.
A New Chapter at the University of Denver
Next fall, Crowley will begin another exciting chapter when she attends the University of Denver, where she will receive the prestigious Willy Schaeffler Scholarship, an honor awarded to top student athletes in alpine skiing.
“DU really was the perfect fit,” Crowley said. “Having easy access to the mountains and top tier education will really allow me to take my life to the next step while also continuing skiing. I’m really excited to start in the fall.”
Looking Ahead
With the World Championships next season now in focus, Crowley’s goals are clear. The 19-year-old has already made her debut at the Milano Cortina Winter Games, where she collected three top-10 finishes, including fifth in the alpine combined, sixth in the downhill and eighth in the super-G.
“For next season I’m looking towards world champs. I have my eye set on podiuming there,” she said. “Beyond that just trying to race more consistently, working on being able to show up with my best skiing on race days.”
Life Beyond the Race Course
When she is not training or racing, Crowley finds balance in simple moments, especially while traveling.
“While on the road I like spending time at the gym, sometimes alone, as a time to just kind of rest and be with my own thoughts for a while,” she said. “I also love having team dinners because it’s a nice time away from skiing that we all get to spend together.”
Crowley is also a big Taylor Swift fan and even has a race day anthem.
“I would probably pick opalite from the life of a showgirl,” she said. “I feel like it’s fun to dance to and really get the vibes flowing.”
If Swift ever made it to a race, Crowley already knows exactly where she would take her for a run.
“If Taylor were to come watch and ski at one of our races I would want her to come to Cortina,” she said. “I feel like Cortina has the perfect mix of beautiful views, great food, cute village, and awesome skiing. I’d want her to feel the energy around ski racing and the excitement of watching the results unfold in real time.”
With her talent, determination, and love for the sport, Audrey Crowley is quickly becoming one of the most exciting young athletes in alpine skiing, and her story is just getting started.
About the Author: Katie Twible
