Featured Image: Jett Seymour. Photo by Matan Coll
Steamboat Springs, Colorado, has long been a hub for elite skiing talent, and Jett Seymour is carving his own path from its slopes to the World Cup. A slalom specialist with his sights set on the 2026 Cortina Olympics, Seymour’s journey blends family support, thoughtful decision-making, and a love for the sport.
From Nordic Roots to Alpine Ambitions
Seymour began skiing both Nordic and alpine as a child but ultimately focused on alpine. Weekends spent on the slopes with his parents and brothers, along with after-school runs under the lights at Howelsen Hill, helped shape his love for the sport and set the foundation for his racing career.
College was a pivotal chapter. Seymour attended the University of Denver, training with older teammates who challenged him to grow quickly as an athlete and as a person. “Being the youngest on the team forced me to mature faster,” he says. “I learned from more experienced skiers and took more ownership of my own skiing. College also gave me a safety net—I knew that if skiing didn’t work out, I had education and other opportunities to fall back on.”
Family as a Foundation
Growing up in a skiing family, Seymour gained not only training partners but also invaluable support from his twin younger brothers, who both went on to have successful NCAA careers. “They understand the struggles and the mental challenges of racing,” he says. “Having someone to talk to who truly gets it and always has your back is huge. It feels like having an extra support team, and it helps keep me grounded.”
Pursuing Slalom and Beyond
While slalom is his focus, Seymour remains committed to his long-term goal of racing World Cup giant slalom. “I would like to get my GS back up and running,” he says. “I really enjoy skiing GS, so it’s still in my long-term plans.”
Olympic preparation this season has been about consistency rather than pressure. “I’m trying to keep things the same and focus on other goals that have been in place for years,” he says. “If I ski fast and continue to improve, the Olympics will happen without extra stress. I try to maintain a short-term outlook, focusing on one race at a time to make it more manageable.”
Mindfulness and Mental Strength
Seymour has embraced meditation and mindfulness to manage the intense mental demands of World Cup racing. “Some days are better than others, and emotions run high,” he says. “Meditation helps me recover mentally and emotionally. It reminds me that skiing is something I get to do at a high level and does not define me as a person.” He emphasizes that this perspective has allowed him to enjoy racing more and reduce unnecessary pressure.
When asked what advice he would give his younger self, he responds simply: “Enjoy the process more. Each race is important, but you don’t need to put so much stress on yourself. Step back and enjoy where you are.”
Coaching, Mentors, and Gratitude
Mentorship has shaped Seymour’s approach to skiing. His former coach, Skube, now with the Croatian national team, emphasized patience and trust in the process. “He taught me that improvement happens one day at a time and that I should trust myself and the plan,” Seymour says. “Having that kind of confidence and support takes stress off race days.”
Life Beyond Skiing
Outside of the gates, Seymour finds balance in the outdoors, especially through hunting. “Taking a bull elk with a bow was a humbling experience,” he says. “It challenges you physically and emotionally and puts things into perspective beyond racing.” Whether it is time spent in the mountains or quiet moments in nature, he values the chance to reset away from the intensity of the World Cup. He also admits to being a big fan of country music, which often plays in the background during long training camps or road trips. For Seymour, both the outdoors and music are reminders of home in Steamboat Springs and help him stay connected to the things he loves most beyond ski racing.
A Unique Opportunity
Seymour views skiing at the World Cup level as a rare privilege. “I’ve been extremely blessed to pursue something at the highest level,” he says. “It’s a mental challenge and an opportunity I probably won’t have again. I just try to put on the best performance I can, and the results will follow.”
As Cortina approaches, Jett Seymour exemplifies resilience, gratitude, and balance. With family, mentors, and mountains behind him, he is racing toward the Olympics while keeping perspective, enjoying the process, and embracing the sport he loves.
About the Author: Katie Twible
