(Photo: At the US Nationals Slalom in Sun Valley, Idaho, Jett Seymour successfully defended his national title from the year prior. Courtesy of Jett Seymour.)

Featured in Steamboat Magazine Ski Edition 2023-2024. 

Steamboat Springs, CO - On a crisp day in Chamonix, France, with the crowd buzzing and the sunshine reflecting off the icy slopes, Jett Seymour experienced a quiet moment of clarity. As he stood at the starting gate, the skier felt an overwhelming sense of belonging wash over him, reinforcing the notion that he was exactly where he was meant to be. 

This pre-race serenity was a harbinger of what was to come: a seventh-place finish that served as a milestone in his burgeoning career. The up-and-coming Alpine skier hopes to continue this success into the 2023-24 ski season. 

Jett grew up in Steamboat Springs and attended the University of Denver, where he raced both GS and slalom. He began focusing purely on slalom in 2020 when he earned a World Cup spot in the discipline. His seventh-place finish in Chamonix was his best result on the 2023 World Cup tour. This achievement marked a significant milestone, demonstrating his ability to compete at the highest level. 

“Before that, I’d struggled with putting down a complete run,” Jett says. “It was awesome to realize that I not only belong, but can compete at that level.” 

In addition to his top-7 finish in Chamonix, Jett’s last season included high finishes at Europa cups, and a win at U.S. Nationals, helping to cement his place as a contender on the Alpine skiing scene. 

Jett emphasizes the importance of enjoying the process and having fun, which he believes contributes to his success. But he’s also been open about how difficult the mental side of the sport can be. 

“The atmosphere of my training is always kept very light and fun and not too serious,” Jett says. “Which for me is really good because once I start to get serious, it’s hard for me to relax and back out of it.” 

 

Hailing from a close-knit family, Jett’s love for skiing was nurtured during family ski trips. Jett highlights the vital role his family plays in managing his emotional well-being. 

“My parents never pushed very hard,” he says. “They never were putting pressure on me to become a skier. They were always very supportive, but also very level-headed and mellow about the whole thing. They just wanted to make sure I was having fun. The reason I’m still able to do it is because of how I was raised. I really am thankful that they didn’t push too hard, because the odds of being burnt out definitely would go up.” 

Jett’s preference for night skiing harkens back to Steamboat, training under the lights of Howelsen Hill after school. 

“When I think of growing up skiing, that’s what I think of: racing and training under the lights in Steamboat, which is probably my favorite place to race,” Jett says. “To race under the lights, I think it’s the most alive I feel. It brings up some pretty awesome memories.” Looking ahead, Jett is dedicated to becoming a regular podium contender in the World Cup slalom and enhancing his slalom skills. 

“I think through the next few years, he can reach a really high level and I can see him placing high at the World Cup,” says Matic Skube, Jett’s coach. “We’re here to bring him in on the top of the world. And I can’t see any reason that he can’t be one of the best slalom skiers in the future.” 

Jett Seymour’s journey is a testament to determination, love for the sport, and the unwavering support of his family. As he continues to evolve as a ski racer, the skiing world eagerly awaits his future achievements on the slopes, whether they’re under the lights of Howelsen Hill or Chamonix.