What's Next for The World's Best Freeskier Eileen Gu?
The end of winter can feel like a bit of a lull for skiers in any normal year.
In an Olympic year, that feeling is only magnified as the press and hype around the Games give way to whatever else is happening in the world. While athletes (hopefully) get to enjoy a bit of a much-needed break in their off-season before next winter, there’s also a larger chunk of time before the next winter Games.
For some, like Hunter Hess, it’s a good time to invest in projects inspired by the games. For others, like Eileen Gu, it’s time to invest in other endeavors and enjoy a bit of their celebrity.
Gu became the most decorated freeskier of all time after earning one gold and two silver medals at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games. Since then, she’s been busy wearing a multitude of beautiful couture pieces, competing in (and winning the overall title) at the Snow League, speaking at events, and landing more magazine covers. Does the woman sleep?
In April, Gu hosted the Laureus Sport Awards alongside tennis player Novak Djokovic. Less than a month later, Gu stunned on the Met Gala’s red carpet in a one-of-a-kind dress by Iris Van Herpen, which married technology and fashion and surrounded Gu in a cloud of bubbles.
Just days ago, Gu also appeared on the cover of Vogue China, marking her second Vogue cover and her second magazine cover this year after being featured on TIME prior to the Games.
In between her skiing and fashion careers, Gu has also been pursuing a degree at Stanford University, which she put on hold for the Olympics.
However, Gu told Olympics.com that she’s planning to return to Stanford in the fall. Gu also talked about exploring other sports and endeavors beyond skiing and fashion to push herself and broaden her horizons.
Most recently, the Olympic medalist has added boxing to her training schedule, saying that she often “tries something new just for the sake of it.”
With this much under her belt in 2026 and less than halfway through the year, we’re eager to see where else Gu makes waves on and off snow.
The 2026 POWDER Photo Annual is here! Look for a print copy on a newsstand near you, or click here to have a copy shipped directly to your front door.
Related: Olympian Hunter Hess Turns Controversy Into Fundraiser With the “Real Loser” Project
Leave a Reply