Q/A With College Ski Racer Turned PSIA Instructor Carmela Olmo

How long have you been ski racing? Tell us about your history within the sport and how you ended up skiing for Plymouth State.

I was four years old when I first put on skis, and by age five, I was already racing. Sports have been a part of my life since I was born, and I have been driven by the adrenaline of it since then. I trained and competed with my hometown club, C.A.E.I. racing all over Spain and spending part of summers training in the Swiss and France glaciers. By 14, I started traveling with the junior national team to some international races, where I podiumed and even won some events, alongside Spanish championships. 

When I was 17, I was admitted on the Catalonian Federation team. We kept training on the glaciers and in Norway. I was really motivated to be a member of the regional team and to become part of a group with the same passion. My goal was clear, I wanted to compete at a high-level FIS and within some years make it to the national team. I was working hard to keep achieving my goals and follow the path to be a professional skier. I knew it was going to be a challenging path to get there but I was hungry for it!

I liked sacrificing things to keep myself in the right path to reach my goals. I loved the feeling of training and living for a purpose. I have always loved competing, pushing my limits and boundaries, and finding the edge of feeling uncomfortable. Unfortunately, injuries started to kick in. At first, I saw them as an opportunity to come back stronger. However, over time, they began to undermine my hunger for racing, playing a critical role in the develoment my career. As my drive and determination for skiing weakened, and I found myself battling my mental health and motivation alongside the the physical setbacks. After graduating high school, I faced uncertainty in both my academics and skiing. A turning point arose when I went to Burke Mountain Academy. My passion for training and competing was reignited after a season with them. I rediscovered my love for the sport and decided to pursue my academics studies while competing as part of Plymouth State University Divison 1 ski team. 

Tell us one of your favorite ski racing memories

Some of my best memories are from traveling with my team, rooming with my friends at training camps, pushing through exhausting gym sessions together, and motivating each other on and off the hill. Beyond those moments, nothing beats the exhilarating mix of nerves and excitement on race days, especially when hard work would pay off and result in victory. Those are the moments always reminded me why I love the sport.

Did you have female coaches throughout your career? What was their role in your relationship with the sport?

I‘ve been fortunate to have several female coaches throughout different stages of my career. When I was

young, one female coach stood out as a key figure. She helped foster my early love for skiing by creating fun and supportive environments wherever we went. Later in my career, I had a few female coaches with impressive backgrounds in ski racing and inspiring achievements. Though I wish I could have built deeper relationships with them and racing, the environment and my mindset at the time didn’t foster strong connections. 

That changed as I encountered other coaches, male and female, who positively impacted my career. As I moved onto my college team and the next stage of skiing, their encouragement continued to make me feel supported, trusted, and motivated, which is critical for any athlete’s mental well-being. They reminded me that what I do matters and that continues to fuel my drive to keep striving for my goals. 

What are you up to post ski racing and what are your plans?

I graduated from PSU in May 2023, and moved to Jackson Hole, WY, where I have been able to blend my passion for skiing and business working as Administrative Coordinator at the Mountain Sport School. Last winter, I began pursuing certifications with the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA). By the end of my first season, I had earned Alpine Level 3, Telemark Level 2, Children’s Specialist 1, and passed the ISIA Technical Speed Test which is a critical requirement for obtaining the ISIA card. That card is the highest level of snow sports instructor’s certification awarded by the International Ski Instructor Association (ISIA). 

One of my primary goals this season is to complete the remaining ISIA certification requirements to then pursue the PSIA DECL exam. Becoming part of the Alpine Division Education and Clinic Leader (DECL) team would be an incredible opportunity and achievement, allowing me to grow as a snowsports passionate and professional while mentoring and educating others. 

I am also excited to continue growing my avalanche and mountain rescue education. Completing my Avalanche Level 2 certification motivated me even more to deepen my understanding and skills in this critical area. I plan to compete in some freeride qualifiers events this season. Alongside this, I am working toward my first judge certification for freeride events, starting with shadowing the junior event in JHMR. I am excited to get more involved in the freeride community that I am also passionate about.

Outside of skiing, my near-term plans also include applying and obtaining an O-1 visa. This visa is designed for individuals with extraordinary abilities, and I have been and still am working really hard to build a strong case for this highly competitive application. Obtaining this visa will allow me to continue my career in the U.S. while pursuing my goals in skiing and the snowsports industry.

Otherwise, I am excited that a couple of my skiing related articles will be published this season in Snow Action and 32 Degrees magazines. 

In general, I am planning to spend more time on skis, chasing the winter during the next few summers, embracing new challenges and opportunities in the snow sports industry, and keep working on many projects I want to accomplish on the freeride and mountaineering world. 

What is your advice for the next generation of girls in ski racing?

My advice is to make sure you are having fun and enjoying the process. The journey won’t be easy nor will it always be exciting and fun, but it is important to embrace both the big and small steps you take. By recognizing them, you will see progression and that is a motivational key for athletes. Take care of yourself- and those around you- and always strive to do your best whether you are on or off snow. Lastly, build strong relationships with your coaches by opening up, asking questions, and being honest about any concerns. Those connections will make a big difference in your growth as an athlete and a person.