Originally an alpine racer, Mikaela Matthews uses her speed to her advantage. Her success began early on, and in 2006 she was the top ranked J3 in the U.S. In 2008 Matthews came in third in moguls and dual moguls at the NorAm Cup event in Val St. Come, Quebec. She continued her success in 2009, earning first place in the 2009 NorAm Cup in Arapahoe Basin and 11th in the 2009 U.S. Championships at Squaw Valley.

The 2010 season, Matthews’ rookie season on the U.S. Ski Team, saw the Team Summit member grab four NorAm podiums and finish second in the overall NorAm standings for the second consecutive season. A shoulder injury kept Matthews out of competition for the 2011 season, but she launched into 2012 ready to prove herself. She hauled in two top 10 results in her first year on the World Cup tour and finished the season ranked 22nd in the World Cup moguls standings.

The 2013 season proved to be Matthews' best. With her career-first World Cup podium in Inawashiro, Japan and another six top 10 results, Matthews' is giving everyone a run for their money. Then just to punctuate her season, she won a silver medal at U.S. Championships.

FIRST TRACKS

On skis just before the age of two, Matthews spent most of her beginning years skiing with her parents, both avid skiers themselves. At age four Matthews started alpine racing with the Copper Mountain Race Club. She moved with her parents to Denmark after two years at Copper and began to explore the European slopes, where she was introduced to mogul skiing. It was during this time that she discovered her love for moguls. After living in Denmark for a year and a half, Matthews and her family moved back to the states. She then joined Team Summit at age eight, and has been skiing there ever since.

OFF THE SNOW

When she’s not skiing, Matthews enjoys hiking, playing volleyball with her friends and checking out the free concerts around Park City.