In the latest episode of Fresh Corduroy, former U.S. Ski Team athlete Hig Roberts offers a candid look at the realities of World Cup ski racing, and the personal journey that unfolded alongside it.
Roberts, who grew up in Steamboat Springs, took a nontraditional path to the top levels of the sport. After developing with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club and at Burke Mountain Academy, and skiing collegiately at Middlebury, he earned his way onto the U.S. Ski Team and competed on the World Cup circuit in giant slalom.
In the conversation, Roberts pulls back the curtain on life at that level. He describes the constant travel, financial pressures, and mental grind of trying to establish himself among the world’s best. He reflects on the fine margins that define success in ski racing, and how quickly the joy of the sport can shift when performance becomes tied to identity.
Roberts also speaks openly about the personal challenges he faced during his career. These include the loss of his younger brother and his internal struggle with identity. After stepping away from racing in 2019, he later came out as gay. He shares that he did not feel ready to do so during his competitive years, and reflects on the support he ultimately received from the ski community.
Now working in business development for the NHL Players’ Association, Roberts brings a cross-sport perspective to athlete careers. Drawing on his time as a sports agent at Wasserman, he highlights the structural challenges ski racers face, from funding their careers to building a personal brand, and explains where athletes should focus their energy to succeed.
The full conversation with Roberts is available on Spotify and YouTube and other platforms via the Fresh Corduroy Podcast.
About the Author: Katie Twible
