From Tahoe’s halfpipe to the Olympic Winter Games, 15-year-old Abby Winterberger competes in Italy
February 5, 2026 | Member Submitted
Originally published with KUNR Public Radio | By Maria Palma, 2/5/2026
From early morning powder days in Tahoe to the world’s biggest winter sports stage, one local skier is now competing at the Olympic Winter Games in Italy.
Fifteen-year-old Abby Winterberger, who grew up in Truckee, departed for Italy on Tuesday and is the youngest athlete on Team USA.
Winterberger doesn’t remember a time before skiing. Her parents put her on skis before she turned two, immersing her early in mountain life.
“I’ve kind of been immersed in the ski culture forever,” Abby said.
By the age of six, she was already competing, not only in skiing, but also in gymnastics. Her mother, Rosemary Winterberger, said it quickly became clear her daughter had a combination of talent and drive.
“She was throwing flips on the skis at a really young age,” Rosemary said. “She was super dedicated and hardworking and really loved it.”
Photo courtesy of Palisades Tahoe and TEAM USA