Christian DeOliveira, 22 

Snowboard Parallel Slalom, Parallel Giant Slalom 

Trained with Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, attended Steamboat Mountain School, competes for Portugal 

You have raced for both Australia and Portugal, and trained in Steamboat Springs - can you tell me how the U.S. and specifically Steamboat have played into your story? 

In the U.S., I gained so much valuable racing experience driving all around the country with my mum competing in USASA races. We would drive thousands of miles each season across the country so I could compete. In 2015, I moved to Steamboat Springs and attended the Steamboat Mountain School from sophomore to senior year. This school, in conjunction with Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, allowed me to realize my dreams of alpine snowboarding racing. I had an incredible time and everyone in Steamboat really took me in as family.  

How did you develop an interest in alpine snowboarding? What drew you to it? 

Both my sisters, 10 and 12 years older than I, were ski racers. This means I was born into the world of snow-sports. I had an Austrian coach in Australia at Mount Buller Race Club that encouraged me to try out alpine snowboarding. The first time I rode it I knew that’s all I wanted to do. I remember asking all the time when we would be riding our alpine boards. I love the clean feeling of the carve and the freedom you feel when you’re pushing the boards to the absolute limit on edge.  

What’s the best part about alpine snowboarding that the average spectator might not know about? 

How friendly the whole tour is. If ever you need help from one of your competitors they will go out of their way to solve your problem. I have made some amazing life long friends through this sport.  

Do you have a go-to meal or snack before competing? 

Any good, healthy food is what I go for. If cilantro was readily available all over Europe then anything with cilantro would tick all my boxes.