Mikaela Shiffrin recounts being in’survival mode’ with her fiancé following their different ski accidents (exclusive)

The American alpine skier, who recently won her 101st World Cup, speaks exclusively with PEOPLE about overcoming injuries with her fiancé Aleksander Aamodt Kilde.

Skier Mikaela Shiffrin is back on the slopes after a life-threatening incident in November, scoring her 101st World Cup win on Thursday, March 27

Mikaela Shiffrin and Aleksander Kilde. Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Shiffrin tells PEOPLE that the victory came after a difficult few months of recuperation, for both her and her fiancé, fellow skier Aleksander Aamodt Kilde.

The duo is now determined to make the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Despite hurdles, Mikaela Shiffrin is unstoppable!

The most decorated skier in World Cup history chatted with PEOPLE exclusively on Tuesday, April 1, after yet another successful season, opening up about the ups and downs she faced on and off the slopes.

Shiffrin, 30, won her 101st World Cup in the championships in Sun Valley, Idaho on March 27, a remarkable result considering her life-threatening injury from a ski fall in November.

Meanwhile, Shiffrin’s fiancé, Alexander Aamodt Kilde, is recovering after a “brutal” collision in Switzerland in January 2024. He underwent surgery, spent the last 15 months in rehabilitation, and has yet to return to the slopes.

“We both have been in survival mode for the last year and a half,” Shiffrin tells PEOPLE exclusively of herself and her fiancé following their individual catastrophes. “Total survival mode,” she says.

Mikaela Shiffrin and her fiance, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde.
Mikaela Shiffrin/ Instagram

“This season has been pretty hard in particular because of his injury, also because of mine,” Shiffrin elaborates. “The time that we’ve been able to spend together hasn’t been super high quality.”

Shiffrin’s injury at the Stifel Killington Cup in Vermont in November left her and Kilde at home for the first time, but because she “wasn’t moving,” they struggled to enjoy their time together.

“I did not want to be touched.” Shiffrin, who underwent surgery to cure a puncture wound in her belly after hitting a fence and being “stabbed” by a sharp item in the fall, recalls the discomfort of doing everything.

“It was like coughing, sneezing, and laughing hurt,” Shiffrin admits.

Mikaela Shiffrin celebrates winning her 101st World Cup championship.
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Shiffrin complimented Kilde’s mental strength in cheering her on as she won her 100th World Cup, despite his ongoing recuperation.

“I was able to return and [he] supported me in the return, understanding that my return to racing brought on its own challenges which are very different from the challenges he’s faced,” she says.

“He’s so good about being able to compartmentalize the road that he’s on, which is something I can’t even imagine how difficult it’s been,” she says of her fiancé. “And to still be able to support me in my own road, it’s really incredible.”

Alexander Aamodt Kilde and Mikaela Shiffrin.
Mikaela Shiffrin / Instagram

Although the season is over, the power couple has already set their sights on the 2026 Winter Olympics. Rest and healing, though, is the name of their game in the months ahead.

“Crossing our fingers that he is also able to get there, and then all the stars align and all the work is done and pays off, so that we’re both able to compete,” adds Shiffrin, who has won three Olympic medals. “I would be just so excited to watch him get back in the start gate of a race and then the Olympics.”

Mikaela Shiffrin and Aleksander Aamodt Kilde Share the Secret to Their Strong Relationship: “We Are Just Authentic”

In a world where fame and constant media attention often strain even the strongest of relationships, ski racing power couple Mikaela Shiffrin and Aleksander Aamodt Kilde have discovered a rare formula for love and longevity: authenticity. The Olympic champions, both dominant forces in alpine skiing, have opened up about the core values that keep their relationship thriving amid the pressures of international stardom, competition, and travel. Their message is refreshingly simple yet deeply profound—being real with each other is what keeps their bond solid.

Shiffrin, widely regarded as one of the greatest alpine skiers of all time, and Kilde, a Norwegian downhill and super-G star, first made their relationship public in 2021. Since then, fans and media alike have been captivated not only by their individual sporting achievements but also by their evident support and admiration for one another. In recent interviews, both athletes have spoken candidly about how their romance has developed, and what truly makes it work behind the scenes.

“We are just authentic,” Shiffrin said in a recent discussion about her personal life. “There’s no pretending or acting like we’re something we’re not. We share everything with each other—the good, the bad, and everything in between.”

This sentiment is echoed by Kilde, who highlights that their relationship is rooted in mutual respect, trust, and the ability to be completely themselves around one another. “There’s no pressure to impress,” he added. “We already know each other’s strengths and vulnerabilities, and we embrace them all. That’s where the real connection comes from.”

The pair first met on the World Cup circuit and remained friends for years before their relationship turned romantic. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, their bond deepened. Away from the spotlight and racing schedule, they had time to grow closer without external distractions. This allowed them to build a foundation based not on fame or image, but on shared values and genuine emotional connection.

Their public interactions—whether cheering each other on from the sidelines or exchanging lighthearted social media banter—have often been seen as a window into their sincere affection and companionship. Fans frequently comment on how grounded they seem, despite their superstar status.

In a culture where relationships can often feel curated for social media or distorted by public personas, Shiffrin and Kilde’s down-to-earth love story is a breath of fresh air. They admit that they’ve had to navigate difficult moments—long periods apart due to training and competition schedules, dealing with injuries, or coping with personal loss. But even in those times, their commitment to openness and honesty has remained unwavering.

Shiffrin has spoken in the past about how Kilde supported her during one of the most emotionally challenging periods of her life: the sudden death of her father, Jeff Shiffrin, in 2020. In her words, Kilde’s presence helped her heal and begin to find joy again in skiing. “He didn’t try to fix things. He just showed up, listened, and let me be me,” she said.

That level of emotional support and understanding is a cornerstone of their relationship. It’s not about being perfect or having all the answers, they emphasize, but about showing up for each other with compassion and honesty.

For younger fans and aspiring athletes watching them, their relationship serves as more than just a romantic storyline—it’s a lesson in empathy, balance, and real connection. In a world driven by performance, metrics, and often unrealistic standards, Shiffrin and Kilde remind us that authenticity can be the strongest glue in any bond.

As both continue their illustrious careers—setting records, climbing podiums, and inspiring the next generation—they’re also proving that love doesn’t have to take a backseat to ambition. In fact, it can be the very force that fuels it.

Whether on the snow-covered slopes or in quiet moments away from the cameras, Mikaela Shiffrin and Aleksander Aamodt Kilde continue to show that true partnership is about being real, being kind, and most importantly, being yourself.