Olympian Chloe Kim shares her favorite mountains, how she handles jet lag, and her journey to being a role model for young female snowboarders.

Chloe Kim, the Olympic snowboarder, has received numerous accolades, but her most cherished moments come when young girls engage with her on the slopes.

She even mentioned to Dinogo that this is her favorite aspect of the experience.

“Every time I'm on the mountains, I have young girls approaching me, sharing how much of an inspiration I am to them and discussing the impressive tricks they’re learning,” she shared with T+L. “[They] express their desire to be just like me when they grow up, and it’s truly amazing.”

In 2018, Kim made history as the youngest woman to secure an Olympic gold medal in snowboarding at the Pyeongchang games, achieving this at just 17 years old. She added another gold to her collection at the Beijing Olympics in 2022, and she told T+L that she intends to compete in her third Olympics in Italy in 2026.

However, it’s the public platform she has cultivated that stands out as one of the most fulfilling aspects of her career. 

“When I began snowboarding, my ultimate goal was to win an Olympic gold medal, and I don’t think I fully grasped what would follow,” Kim reflected. “Now, seeing the impact I've had on other women and young girls has been incredibly empowering and far more rewarding than just the medal.”

This motivation is part of why she teamed up with Mucinex Fast-Max for their “Small But Mighty” campaign, which will donate $100,000 to five YMCA chapters this year, including a contribution to the Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA to enhance its winter youth leadership program. 

“This cause is very significant to me because I come from humble beginnings as part of an immigrant family,” Kim explained. “Understanding how much this support can help others realize their dreams is vital, as we received plenty of help ourselves. I believe that without that support, I wouldn't have reached this level.”

Kim grew up snowboarding in California, initially at Mountain High Resorts, located just a couple of hours from Los Angeles, before moving on to Mammoth Mountain. Now, she competes around the globe and rides for enjoyment, dreaming of returning to Japan to experience the incredible powder—where she found some soul-cleansing riding before the Pyeongchang games.

Her favorite destinations are the Swiss Alps, particularly Crans-Montana, where she actually lived for a few years in her youth. There, she gets to practice her French while soaking in the breathtaking views.

“I’d really love to have a home there one day,” she shared. “[There are] so many fun activities, it’s stunning… The locals are incredibly friendly, and the food is fantastic. I adore it there and can’t wait to return.”

Although most of Kim’s travels lead her to chilly locales, she has her eye on a few warm-weather retreats: Thailand, Bora Bora, and Jamaica, among others.

“This year, with some time off, I definitely plan to visit more [warm] countries and enjoy some relaxing travels,” she mentioned. “I’ll have to fit all of those trips in eventually.”

Naturally, all of Kim's plans are gearing up for a significant trip to the Winter Olympics in Italy. Besides showcasing her remarkable skills on the halfpipe, like many travelers heading to Italy, she’s eager for two things: “pasta and wine, thank you very much.”

And similar to many travelers, Kim struggles with overcoming jet lag. Instead, she has learned to accept it.

“For me, recovering from jet lag takes quite a while, but there’s something peaceful about waking up at three in the morning,” she shared. “It’s all dark and quiet. Usually, when I travel, it’s snowing, so I can gaze out the window and enjoy the nighttime snow.”