Cody Winters, 21

Snowboard Parallel Slalom, Parallel Giant Slalom and Snowboard Cross

Trained with Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club

What do you consider your proudest moment in your sport so far?

One of my proudest moments so far was finishing second at the FIS Junior World Championships. Last season was my fourth and final time being invited as I have now aged out, so the pressure was on to finally get a medal. I ended up qualifying with the fastest time and made it all the way into the big final where I finished 2nd. This was the first time the USA had ever medaled in this event. Also, last season I won a gold medal in an Europa Cup, the first gold by an American in Snowboard Slalom ever.

What would it mean to you to qualify and compete in the Olympics?

To tell you the truth I still don't have an answer for that question. I could say something like, “It would mean that all of the hard work, dedication and sacrifice would be worth it.” But that's not true. All of the hard work and dedication and sacrifice has already been worth it for me. The lessons that I've learned, the places I've been able to travel, the people I've been able to meet, the success that I've had, being able to compete with the best of the best; it's already all worth it. I don't know if it gets any better. 

What role has family played in your success?

My parents, Sue and Dave Winters, made huge sacrifices to be able to pay for the costs related to my snowboarding. My dad was the one who influenced me to start snowboarding – “Come to the dark side,” he would say. My brother is one of those athletes who is naturally good at anything he tries; we competed and trained together and pushed each other to improve. He has taught me to not stress too much on race day or at competitions and just truly have fun. 

What role did growing up in Steamboat play in the development of your athletic career?

There's no better place to grow up and train to become a winter athlete. I have been in the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club for 15 years. They have taught me everything I need to know about snowboarding. Thedo Remmelink, the Snowboard Pro-Am Race Head Coach, is the best race coach in America and athletes travel all over the world to train with him. To be able to grow up with that in my hometown is a blessing. The amount of on-snow training you can get growing up in Steamboat is hard to beat. As a young kid I was able to snowboard after school under the lights at Howelsen Hill. In high school “Skier Schedule” allowed me to get out of school every afternoon and go ski at Mount Werner. 

What do you see yourself doing after you retire from competitive snowboarding? 

I see myself snowboarding, and after snowboarding, I plan to snowboard.