By the summer of 2026, the landscape of global alpine skiing had undergone a remarkable shift, irrevocably altering Brazil’s perception within the winter sports community. What was once considered a perennial outsider status had been dramatically redefined, marked by an unprecedented series of triumphs. The nation had celebrated its inaugural Winter Olympic medal – a gold – a historic achievement accompanied by its first giant slalom crystal globe and pioneering podium finishes in both slalom and giant slalom disciplines. This seismic shift was largely orchestrated by Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, affectionately known as the "South Star," whose meteoric rise captivated audiences worldwide and etched Brazil’s name into the annals of alpine skiing history.
While Braathen undeniably emerged as Brazil’s most luminous and successful alpine skier, he was neither the first nor the sole representative of the nation’s burgeoning winter sports aspirations. His groundbreaking success, however, provided an potent backdrop for the emergence of a promising new talent: 18-year-old Alice Padilha. Her debut at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games marked a significant milestone, as she became Brazil’s first female Olympic alpine skier in 12 years, carrying the torch for a developing generation of Brazilian women who now dared to dream beyond geographical limitations. Her journey, which began far from the traditional snow-capped bastions of the sport, embodies the evolving ambitions of a nation increasingly asserting its presence on the global winter sports stage.
A Legacy Forged in Snow: Brazil’s Olympic Breakthrough
Brazil’s engagement with Olympic alpine skiing dates back to 1992, a pivotal moment when Hans Egger and Marcello "Lelo" Apovian proudly represented the country at the Albertville Winter Games. These pioneering athletes laid the initial groundwork, navigating the formidable slopes against seasoned competitors from nations with deep-rooted winter sports traditions. Decades later, both Egger and Apovian have transitioned from competitive racing to insightful commentary, trading their race bibs for microphones as respected World Cup commentators, offering their expert perspectives to a growing Brazilian audience.
Apovian, in particular, found himself in a uniquely poignant position, witnessing one of the most significant moments in Brazilian winter sports history unfold from the commentary booth. His voice, usually composed and analytical, cracked with emotion as he recounted the experience. "The 2026 Winter Olympics were my third Games as a commentator, but without question, the most emotional," Apovian reflected. "Before that, I spent 13 years racing for Brazil and competed at two Winter Olympics myself. Watching Lucas race brought back vivid memories of how incredibly difficult it is to reach that stage. It takes years of unwavering sacrifice, relentless resilience, and singular dedication. As he skied down the course, I felt an almost visceral connection, as if I were skiing every single gate with him."
The climax of Braathen’s gold medal run proved to be an overwhelming moment. "When he crossed the finish line and the realization dawned that he had won Olympic gold, I broke down in tears," Apovian admitted, his voice still tinged with the memory. "Although I never won an Olympic medal myself, I knew exactly what it had taken for Lucas to achieve that moment. It was an unforgettable experience – not only as a former athlete and commentator, but also as a father. After all, Lucas is young enough to be my son, and his triumph felt like a generational victory for Brazilian skiing."
The Milano Cortina 2026 Games saw Brazil fielding its largest-ever male alpine skiing contingent, a testament to the sport’s growing momentum within the country. Benefiting from additional quota places, Christian Soevik and Giovanni Ongaro joined the formidable Pinheiro Braathen, forming a robust Brazilian team poised to make a significant impact. Braathen’s path to gold was not an overnight sensation; it was the culmination of years of dedicated training and a steady ascent through the World Cup ranks. Known for his aggressive style and technical prowess, he had secured multiple World Cup victories in the seasons leading up to 2026, including a breakthrough giant slalom win in the 2024-2025 season that cemented his status as a genuine contender for the crystal globe. His "South Star" moniker, born from his unexpected rise from a non-traditional ski nation, had become synonymous with his captivating performances and the burgeoning hopes of Brazilian winter sports.
A New Chapter for Women’s Alpine Skiing: The 18-Year-Old Olympian
On the women’s side, Brazil’s Olympic presence in alpine skiing had been intermittently sustained by athletes like Mirella Arnhold and Maya Harrison, who represented the nation at the Winter Olympics between 2002 and 2014. Following Harrison’s participation at the Sochi Games, a 12-year hiatus ensued before Alice Padilha’s remarkable debut at Milano Cortina, which powerfully restored Brazil’s presence in women’s Olympic alpine skiing.
Padilha’s Olympic journey, though brief in competition, was rich in experience. Competing solely in the Olympic slalom, she unfortunately did not finish her race. However, she departed Milano Cortina not with disappointment, but with invaluable experience, significantly heightened motivation, and a much clearer, firsthand understanding of the immense demands and exacting standards required to compete successfully at the sport’s absolute highest level. This initial Olympic foray served as a crucial learning curve, solidifying her resolve for future endeavors.
The narrative behind Alice’s extraordinary journey is one intimately known and proudly recounted by her mother, Alessandra Padilha. "All three of my children were born in Brazil," Alessandra recalled, her voice brimming with maternal pride. "Alice and Arthur are twins, and Antonio is their younger brother. Because of my husband’s job, we moved to the United States when they were still very young. We settled in Connecticut, a state with a strong winter culture and proximity to a small ski resort. Since skiing is such an integral part of the local lifestyle, we decided to enroll the kids in ski school, initially just as a family activity."
The Padilha siblings’ initial foray into the sport began at the Thunder Ridge Ski Area in New York, where they honed their foundational skills and developed a nascent passion for skiing. They continued their training there until they reached the U14 level, consistently demonstrating a natural aptitude and growing dedication to the sport.
A World Cup Visit Changes Everything: The Spark of Ambition
A pivotal moment in their skiing trajectory arrived when Arthur, exhibiting an early desire for more advanced training, expressed a dream of skiing at a larger, more challenging resort. This aspiration led the family to attend a ski camp at Killington, Vermont, in 2018. During their stay, an experience that would profoundly reshape their perspective on skiing unfolded: they witnessed a women’s World Cup race for the very first time.
"It completely changed the way they looked at skiing because they experienced what it truly means to be a fan," Alessandra explained, emphasizing the transformative impact of the event. "The vibrant atmosphere, the energy of the crowd, the numerous photos, banners, and flags, and especially the chance to see their idols – the elite female skiers – in person, gave them an incredible surge of motivation to work even harder and pursue excellence." The sheer spectacle of professional racing ignited a competitive fire within both Alice and Arthur.
Their burgeoning passion and undeniable dedication did not go unnoticed. Coaches at the prestigious Killington Mountain School (KMS), renowned for its comprehensive academic and athletic programs, recognized their potential. They extended an invaluable opportunity to Alice and Arthur: an invitation to study and train at KMS from eighth grade through the U18 level, a pathway designed to cultivate elite skiers. "One of the key people in their journey at KMS was Greg Hadley, who is now a respected college coach in Massachusetts," Alessandra highlighted, acknowledging the crucial mentorship her children received.
Seizing this opportunity required a monumental restructuring of the entire Padilha family’s life. They relocated, adjusted their professional commitments, and meticulously reorganized their daily routines to fully support the twins’ ambitious skiing aspirations. This collective sacrifice underscored the family’s unwavering commitment to Alice and Arthur’s dreams. One crucial element, however, remained steadfast and immutable throughout these significant changes: their profound Brazilian identity. Despite living and training in the United States, their heritage remained a core part of who they were, a connection they were eager to bring to their sport.
Embracing Brazilian Roots: A Race Against Time to Gangwon
Not long after their immersion into the elite training environment of KMS, the Padilha family initiated contact with the Brazilian Ski and Snowboard Confederation (CBDN) to explore the possibility of Alice and Arthur representing Brazil on the international stage. "They’re incredibly welcoming and easygoing people," Alessandra remarked, describing the positive reception they received. "They were genuinely excited to suddenly have three promising young athletes – including Antonio – expressing interest in joining the national team. Everything moved surprisingly quickly, and Alice and Arthur were presented with a tight deadline: just six months to qualify for the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games."
The twins embraced the challenge with characteristic determination. Months of rigorous training in Argentina, leveraging the Southern Hemisphere’s winter, proved instrumental. Their dedication paid off, and both Alice and Arthur successfully earned their coveted places on Team Brazil for the Winter Youth Olympics in Gangwon, South Korea.
"It was amazing to experience the diversity of nations, meet people from so many different cultures, and share a universal passion for sport," Alice’s mother reflected on the Youth Olympic experience. "Cultural identity is very important to us. In many ways, our story is the opposite of Lucas’s. He learned to ski in Norway, a traditional winter sports nation, and brought that beautiful sport and its potential to Brazil. We are Brazilians who discovered skiing abroad and are now bringing that experience back to our country. In the end, though, we’re all helping make the sport more diverse and accessible while promoting the same fundamental values of dedication, perseverance, and sportsmanship."
Determination Opens Doors to Europe: Alice’s Solo Ambition
Upon graduating from high school, the twins’ paths diverged slightly. Arthur opted to pursue his academic interests, enrolling in engineering studies in Denver. Alice, however, made a resolute decision to dedicate her gap year entirely to skiing, setting her sights firmly on Europe, the heartland of competitive alpine racing.
"Alice is incredibly determined," her mother emphasized, highlighting a defining trait of her daughter’s character. "She’s still very young, but when she sets her mind on something, she finds a way, no matter the obstacles." This unwavering resolve was soon put to the test in a compelling demonstration of her commitment.
In July 2024, Alice’s current club was engaged in a training camp at Valle Nevado, Chile, a prime Southern Hemisphere ski destination. Simultaneously, IQ Power – a highly regarded team that Alice harbored hopes of joining for her intensive gap year training – was conducting its own camp approximately 30 minutes away in El Colorado. The coaches from IQ Power extended an invitation for Alice to participate, a golden opportunity. The only problem? She had no immediate means of transportation to get there.
"She literally walked around the hotel lobby asking everyone for help, explaining her situation, trying every possible solution," Alessandra recounted, painting a vivid picture of Alice’s desperation and tenacity. "She was desperate, but she absolutely refused to give up. Eventually, someone found a driver willing to take her. We even spoke with him ourselves because, as parents, we were naturally worried about our daughter getting into a stranger’s car in a foreign country. But Alice wouldn’t let that opportunity slip away; her determination was absolute." That remarkable display of grit and initiative left a profound and lasting impression on IQ Power coaches Josef Schattbacher and Theresa Schwaiger. Soon afterward, Alice made the significant move to Europe, ready to immerse herself fully in the competitive European ski circuit.
A World Cup Opportunity on the Horizon
For the upcoming 2026-27 season, Padilha is slated to ski with the prestigious Carrabassett Valley Academy Ski Team, a program renowned for developing elite athletes. Her immediate goals are clearly defined and strategically focused: continuing her technical development, systematically lowering her FIS points – the international ranking system crucial for competitive progression – and gaining extensive additional international race experience.
Padilha’s current FIS point profile, standing at fewer than 150 points in both slalom and giant slalom, is a significant achievement. This places her within the eligibility criteria to utilize Brazil’s basic World Cup quota spot. However, while eligibility is a crucial step, it does not automatically translate into an immediate World Cup start. Padilha and her support team remain prudently focused on the foundational development required to not only compete but to genuinely succeed at that incredibly demanding level.
A future World Cup start would be a historic moment, making her the first Brazilian woman to compete in an alpine World Cup race. Should that opportunity eventually materialize at Killington – the very place where her passion for elite ski racing was first ignited during that transformative World Cup visit – it would bring her remarkable journey full circle, a truly poetic culmination of her dedication.
Inspiring Brazil’s Next Generation: Beyond Medals
Pinheiro Braathen’s Olympic gold medal undeniably transformed the visibility and perception of alpine skiing within Brazil, elevating it from a niche sport to a subject of national pride and interest. However, Alice Padilha’s Olympic appearance, though not yielding a medal, created a distinct yet equally powerful form of inspiration.
"Lucas’s Olympic gold changed how people in Brazil see skiing. Suddenly, many more people started paying attention to the sport, seeing its potential," Alessandra Padilha observed. "Alice’s qualification for the Olympics, and the fact that after 12 years Brazil once again had a woman competing in alpine skiing, had a different, very personal impact. Since then, she’s received countless messages from young Brazilian girls telling her they want to be like her and one day compete at the Olympics. It shows them that this path is possible."
Milano Cortina left an indelible mark on Alice for another profound reason. "Standing in the start gate alongside athletes she had admired for years was an unforgettable experience," Alessandra shared. "The Olympics made her even more motivated to keep improving and, importantly, to show Brazil that women’s alpine skiing exists, too, and that Brazilian women can excel in it. And I have to tell you one funny story," Alessandra added with a laugh, her eyes twinkling. "When Alice came home from the Olympics, she got out of the car wearing an orange cap and a Slovak scarf. She couldn’t stop smiling. It perfectly captured the joy and connections she made."
A Global Connection: Continued After Cortina
In Cortina, Alice’s infectious enthusiasm and genuine spirit led to an unexpected but cherished friendship with Igor Vlha, the father of Slovakian alpine skiing superstar Petra Vlhová. Furthermore, Vlhová’s passionate fan club swiftly welcomed Alice into its vibrant community, demonstrating the camaraderie and global connections that the Olympic experience fosters.
Her connection with Slovakia extended beyond the Games. Together with her younger brother Antonio, Alice seized the opportunity to compete in FIS races at Štrbské Pleso, Slovakia, after the Olympics, before returning to the United States. During these races, she slightly improved her giant slalom point profile, a crucial step in her competitive progression, although she did not finish the slalom event. These experiences underscore the international network and opportunities that are now becoming more accessible for Brazilian skiers.
Building Brazil’s Women’s Program: A Strategic Priority
Following the Brazilian Ski and Snowboard Confederation’s (CBDN) recent election, Carlos Eduardo Barros assumed the presidency, bringing a clear strategic vision to the organization. Strengthening the women’s alpine program stands as one of his paramount priorities for the upcoming Olympic cycle, recognizing the immense potential unearthed by Alice Padilha’s breakthrough.
According to Barros, Brazil’s emerging women’s group extends well beyond Padilha. He highlighted Emily Magnani and several other younger, promising athletes who are collectively beginning to form a robust and dynamic generation. "Our goal is to foster an environment where these athletes can thrive and reach their full potential," Barros stated, emphasizing the CBDN’s commitment to comprehensive development.
Despite remaining a relatively small federation compared to its European counterparts, Barros believes that each successive season equips the CBDN with increasingly valuable experience in effectively supporting its athletes as they pursue ambitious international competition goals. This growing expertise is vital for navigating the complex logistics and financial demands of elite winter sports.
Visibility represents another critical step in expanding the sport’s reach and impact. For many Brazilians, the ability to follow alpine skiing in Portuguese could significantly help the sport attract and retain a larger, more engaged audience. "Broadcasting alpine skiing on Brazilian television is something we actively encourage and support," Barros affirmed. "We know that having Brazilian athletes competing at the highest levels is one of the biggest drivers of public interest. We’ll continue working tirelessly to ensure that women’s races, in particular, become a more frequent and prominent part of those broadcasts, showcasing the talent and dedication of our female skiers."
Turning Olympic Success into Opportunity: A Forward-Looking Legacy
Barros unequivocally stated that Pinheiro Braathen’s Olympic gold had already profoundly transformed the sport’s profile in Brazil, elevating it to unprecedented levels of national attention. However, he views the inspiration ignited by this triumph – rather than merely the medal itself – as its most significant and enduring legacy. "Our biggest responsibility now is to translate this inspiration into tangible opportunities for the next generation," Barros articulated, outlining the CBDN’s forward-looking strategy. "An Olympic medal isn’t solely about the result; it’s about igniting a dream, inspiring young athletes to believe that they too can stand on that podium one day, representing their country."
As he embarks on his first term, Barros views his role as a continuation and amplification of the federation’s recent progress, rather than a radical departure. "My goal is to continue building upon the solid work that has already brought Brazil an Olympic gold medal in alpine skiing and a Paralympic medal in snow sports," he explained. "I am committed to helping create an even stronger, more sustainable future for Brazilian snow sports, not only for the immediate next four-year Olympic cycle but for the entire next decade and beyond. This requires strategic planning, sustained investment, and unwavering support for our athletes at all levels."
Padilha’s Influence Reaches Beyond Results: A Beacon for Brazilian Women
Alice Padilha’s next competitive milestone may involve achieving an even lower FIS point profile, securing another significant international start, or, ultimately, making Brazil’s historic first women’s World Cup appearance. Yet, her influence already extends far beyond her individual race results.
Each message she receives from a young Brazilian girl who now perceives alpine skiing as a tangible possibility serves as a powerful testament to how far the sport has traveled in Brazil. It underscores the profound impact of seeing a compatriot compete at the highest level, transforming abstract dreams into achievable aspirations. And it vividly illustrates how much further Alice Padilha and Brazil’s emerging generation of women skiers hope to take the sport, carving out a new, inclusive future on the global slopes. Their collective journey symbolizes a nation breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and demonstrating that passion, determination, and opportunity can indeed flourish, even where snow is a distant dream.
