Beyond the Slopes: Mikaela Shiffrin’s Hobbies and Musical Side

When most people hear the name Mikaela Shiffrin, their minds immediately go to the snow-covered mountains where she has carved her name into history as one of the greatest skiers of all time. With over 100 World Cup victories, Olympic gold medals, and an unmatched consistency on the slopes, she has become the face of modern alpine skiing. But behind the trophies and the relentless training schedule, Shiffrin has a softer, more personal side—one filled with music, creativity, and hobbies that reveal the full depth of who she is as a person, not just an athlete.

The Rhythm Behind the Racer

For Shiffrin, skiing has always been about rhythm and flow. Every turn, every race, every run down a course is built on timing. That same sense of rhythm finds a natural home in her other great love: music.

From a young age, Shiffrin was drawn not only to skis but also to the piano. Music became a retreat for her, a space where she could express herself away from the pressure of racing. In interviews, she has often mentioned how sitting down at the piano helps her relax and reset. To her, playing music isn’t about perfection or performance—it’s about release.

Over time, that passion has expanded. Shiffrin not only plays piano but also sings, sometimes performing for close friends, family, and even fans. Her voice is soft yet soulful, filled with the same emotional honesty that defines her approach to life. In these moments, away from the intensity of competition, Shiffrin reveals a side of herself that is tender, artistic, and deeply human.

Singing Through Grief

One of the most moving examples of Shiffrin’s connection to music came during a time of deep personal loss. In 2020, she lost her father, Jeff Shiffrin, a tragedy that left her reeling. Grief, as it often does, found her searching for a way to heal. And music became that bridge.

She began to share more of her singing online, recording small covers and moments at the piano. For fans, it was a glimpse into her healing process; for her, it was a way to let emotion flow freely. Songs became a language she could lean on when words weren’t enough. It wasn’t about being a professional musician—it was about connection, honesty, and letting her vulnerability shine through.

These moments endeared her even more to fans around the world, showing that even champions face heartbreak, and that hobbies like music aren’t just pastimes—they can be lifelines.

Hobbies That Keep Her Grounded

Skiing is an all-consuming sport. Between travel, training, competitions, and media, it can easily dominate every hour of an athlete’s life. But Shiffrin understands the importance of balance, and her hobbies outside the slopes help her find it.

Apart from music, she enjoys reading, often diving into novels and stories that take her away from the pressures of racing. She has spoken about her love of learning and how curiosity drives her both in and out of sport. Whether it’s picking up a book, trying new recipes in the kitchen, or even taking quiet walks with her dog, Shiffrin embraces the little hobbies that remind her she is more than her results on the hill.

Another lesser-known passion is her interest in fitness beyond skiing. While training is, of course, part of her job, Shiffrin genuinely enjoys exploring new forms of movement—whether it’s yoga, pilates, or strength workouts that challenge her in different ways. For her, staying active isn’t just about medals; it’s about loving how her body can move and finding joy in that.

Sharing Music with Fans

Over the years, Shiffrin has occasionally surprised fans by performing publicly. Whether through small online clips, charity events, or private gatherings, her music has reached beyond her inner circle. She doesn’t approach it as a career but as a gift—something she shares because it feels good, not because she has to.

Fans often remark on how natural she seems when she’s at the piano or singing a heartfelt ballad. Just like on the slopes, she loses herself in the flow. For Shiffrin, both skiing and music come from the same place: a love of rhythm, expression, and a desire to connect.

A Window Into Her Character

What makes Shiffrin’s musical side so compelling is how it reflects her overall personality. On the slopes, she is disciplined, precise, and fiercely competitive. Off the slopes, she allows space for softness, reflection, and creativity. This balance is what makes her not only a world-class athlete but also a deeply relatable person.

Her willingness to share her music shows courage of a different kind. Performing, even informally, requires vulnerability. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being open. And for someone whose life is so often measured in times, scores, and statistics, music provides a rare escape from judgment. It’s simply about feeling.

Music as Mental Training

Interestingly, Shiffrin has also spoken about how music influences her skiing. The rhythm she finds in a piano piece or a favorite song often helps her visualize races. Music provides a tempo for her turns, a way to internalize timing that she can translate onto the course.

Before races, she sometimes listens to music as part of her preparation. It helps her calm her nerves, focus her mind, and channel her energy. For Shiffrin, music isn’t separate from skiing—it’s woven into the fabric of how she trains, competes, and stays balanced.

Inspiring Others

By sharing her hobbies and musical performances, Shiffrin has done something powerful: she has reminded the world that greatness isn’t one-dimensional. Too often, athletes are seen only through the lens of their sport. Shiffrin shows that it’s possible to be both a champion skier and a passionate musician, both a disciplined competitor and a vulnerable human being.

Her openness inspires fans not only to admire her victories but also to embrace their own passions outside of work, school, or sport. She embodies the idea that hobbies aren’t distractions—they are essential parts of a full, meaningful life.

A Champion of Balance

At just 28, Mikaela Shiffrin has already achieved what most athletes can only dream of. Yet she continues to carve out time for the piano, for singing, for reading, for walking her dog, for simply being Mikaela. These hobbies don’t take away from her greatness on the slopes—they deepen it. They give her the emotional and mental balance she needs to keep thriving in one of the most demanding sports in the world.

And perhaps most importantly, they show fans the real person behind the ski suit. A person who loves music, who finds comfort in song, who heals through creativity, and who understands that life is about much more than medals.

The Song of Her Life

In the end, Mikaela Shiffrin’s story is not just about skiing down mountains at breathtaking speed. It’s also about sitting quietly at a piano, letting her fingers find melodies, and her voice release feelings words can’t capture. It’s about balance, healing, curiosity, and the courage to share all sides of herself with the world.

Her hobbies and musical performances remind us that even the greatest athletes are human—and sometimes, the most powerful victories happen not under bright lights, but in the quiet of a song.