Mathilde Gremaud, she is a Swiss Olympic freestyle skier and eleven-time X Games medalist. On 28 February 2023, she became the first freestyle skier to hold both slopestyle World and Olympic Champion titles after winning gold in both events. She won another gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Gremaud was born on February 8, 2000, in Fribourg, Switzerland. Her partner is Austrian moutainbiker Valentina Höll.
Gremaud competed in the World Championships 2017. She competed at the FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships 2021, winning a silver medal in Slopestyle.
Gremaud won gold in big air at the Winter X Games in 2017, 2019, and 2021. She won silver medals in big air and slopestyle in 2020. In 2019, she won bronze in big air.
She competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics and took the silver medal in women’s Slopestyle. At the 2022 Winter Olympics, Gremaud won the gold medal in slopestyle and the bronze medal in big air.[6] Gremaud was coached by Swiss freeski coach Misra Noto Torniainen for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Torniainen would later coach China’s Eileen Gu for the 2022 Winter Olympics.
In 2020, Gremaud became the first woman to land a switch double cork 1440 in competition history. In 2024, Gremaud became the first woman to win three FIS crystal globes in one season. Gremaud won the gold medal in the slopestyle at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. She recorded a high score of 86.96 in her second run and finished 0.38 points clear of Eileen Gu who finished on 86.58.
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Mathilde Gremaud, she is an exceptionally talented Swiss Olympic freestyle skier and eleven-time X Games medalist, here she talks about her fitness routine, her diet, and her success story.
Namita Nayyar:
Mathilde, congratulations on your gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. Winning in 2022 was massive, but coming back to win again in 2026—especially with that incredible second-run score of 86.96 to edge out Eileen Gu by just 0.38 points—must have been an emotional rollercoaster. Can you walk us through what was going through your mind during that final run?
Mathilde Gremaud:
It felt smooth and I had a lot of fun skiing that day. I was completely focused on one thing: putting down the run I wanted. Of course I knew it could turn into a great run and a tight battle for gold and I wanted to defend my title from 2022. After the first run, being behind Eileen brought a lot of emotion, but I knew I had to step up. I skied with passion, fun and determination, thinking about all the work that brought me there. When I finished and realized I’d defended the gold, celebrating with my family was absolutely magical.
Namita Nayyar:
Back in 2023, you made history as the first freestyle skier to hold both Slopestyle World and Olympic Champion titles simultaneously. Now, with another Olympic gold added in 2026, how do you feel your legacy in the sport has evolved?
Mathilde Gremaud:
I honestly didn’t fully register that milestone until preparing for the 2026 Games. When it sank in, it became a huge motivator. Winning the 2025 World Championships in Switzerland was especially inspiring and set me up mentally for this Olympic cycle. Over the years I’ve worked hard to become more consistent. Early in my career I performed well at big events but lacked steadiness between them. Now I feel that consistency building a legacy: not just winning, but improving, inspiring others, and being the best version of myself. That growth feels like the real reward.
Namita Nayyar:
You have a unique dynamic competing against Eileen Gu, given that you both share the same former coach, Misra Noto Torniainen. How does that shared history affect your rivalry and friendship on the slopes?
Mathilde Gremaud:
It’s a unique and complicated dynamic. I felt betrayed when he switched to coach Eileen before 2022, that was hard to navigate emotionally. It made me grow a lot. We worked together again later and had a good relationship, but a week before the 2026 Games he decided to coach her again, which reopened tensions. Despite that, our rivalry has become a positive force: it pushes both of us to improve. We don’t spend time together off-snow, but there’s mutual respect and that competitive push helps us both.
Full Interview is Continued on Next Page
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President of womenfitness.net, and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or in full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2026 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar:
Looking back at your career, we’ve seen you win X Games golds in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2026 and now you have a collection of eleven X Games medals. Which of those X Games moments stands out to you as the turning point in your career?
Mathilde Gremaud:
The first X Games win was the biggest turning point. It came early, when hardly anyone knew me, and that result opened doors: sponsorships like Red Bull and greater visibility. Every X Games podium since has mattered because those events provide a much larger platform than regular FIS stops. They helped sustain my career through seasons when my World Cup results weren’t perfect.
Namita Nayyar:
In 2021, you became the first woman to land a switch double cork 1440 in competition. That was a massive step for women’s freestyle skiing. How did you mentally prepare to attempt a trick that had never been done before by a woman in competition?
Mathilde Gremaud:
I was lucky to have Red Bull’s support for that mission. I first landed the trick in summer 2020 and set a clear goal to land it at the X Games that winter. Preparation was a mix of progressive technical work and visualization: I repeated the trick mentally, imagined the landing, and pictured the competition setting. The excitement of proving it could be done under pressure kept me motivated. Safe progression and strong support gave me the confidence to perform it. It was just motivating!
Namita Nayyar:
In 2024, you became the first woman to win three FIS crystal globes in a single season. How did you manage the physical and mental load of dominating across multiple disciplines for an entire season?
Mathilde Gremaud:
It was intense. I managed it by narrowing my focus: during the season I put many other things aside and concentrated almost exclusively on skiing. That single-mindedness helped me perform, but it also cost me when the season ended and other life aspects returned. Physically, careful planning and recovery were essential, and mentally I relied on support from family, my girlfriend and the team. That season taught me how far focused dedication can take you and how important it is to restore balance afterwards.
Namita Nayyar:
Your sport demands a rare combination of explosive power, aerial awareness, and endurance. Can you break down your typical weekly fitness regime? How do you split your time between strength training, cardio, and on-snow practice?
Mathilde Gremaud:
In summer, strength training is the priority (May–August) to rebuild and increase power. Cardio comes second. I love biking and often do interval sessions on climbs, plus running and other activities like paddle tennis. On-snow weeks prioritize skiing: strength and cardio drop to maintenance levels depending on energy. A typical summer week starts with strength sessions, then adds cardio or technical work; intensity varies across the week with planned high and low days, plus mobility and recovery sessions.
Namita Nayyar:
Given that you are a freestyle skier, what does your off-season workout routine look like? I imagine it involves a lot of trampoline work and water ramps. What are the key exercises you rely on to protect your knees and spine from the impact of landings?
Mathilde Gremaud:
The off-season focuses on building a strong, resilient body and maintaining quickness. I’ve worked with my physical coach from the start, spending lots of time in the gym to handle impact loads. We train the posterior chain heavily: deadlifts, hip thrusts, Nordic hamstrings, along with smaller stabilizer muscles. Trampoline and water-ramp work improve technique, while varied sports help with agility and coordination. The combination of strength, stabilization, and technique drills protects knees and spine.
Namita Nayyar:
You have a background working with high-level coaches like Misra Noto Torniainen. How has your approach to physical training changed from the 2018 Olympics to now, especially as you’ve matured as an athlete?
Mathilde Gremaud:
Physical training was always supported by our Swiss team coaches, but over time it’s become more specific and structured. I’ve worked with Antoine Borgeaud as my physical coach for years, and we focus on targeted, sport-specific strength and conditioning. In the past I did a lot of general athletic work, track and field, for example, but now training is more strategic, with a greater emphasis on injury prevention and consistency. It makes me feel stronger and more confident than I did back in 2018.
Namita Nayyar:
As an elite athlete competing at the highest level, how does your diet change during competition season versus the off-season?
Mathilde Gremaud:
It doesn’t change dramatically. My priority is to eat enough to fuel training and recovery. During competition I pay more attention to meal timing and convenient, reliable snacks; in the off-season I allow a bit more flexibility. I’m not a nutrition expert. I mostly eat when I’m hungry, but I make sure I have sufficient calories and protein to perform and recover.
Namita Nayyar:
With the high altitude and intense energy output required for slopestyle and big air, what does a typical “competition day” meal plan look like? Do you have a go-to breakfast or snack that you swear by before a final run?
Mathilde Gremaud:
I focus on steady energy throughout the day. Breakfast is often eggs with whole grain bread or oats. I bring familiar snacks; my homemade oat-chocolate bar, bananas, nuts and avoid trying new foods. Right before a run I take something light and quick, like a few sips of an energy drink or a small piece of fruit, to keep my stomach settled while getting a small boost. The key is familiarity and consistency.
Namita Nayyar:
You travel extensively between Switzerland, the US for X Games, and various World Cup stops. How do you maintain your nutritional discipline while on the road?
Mathilde Gremaud:
Travel makes it tricky. I grew up where we grow a lot of our food, so I miss that quality. Planning helps: I pack snacks, look for markets and fresh options, and cook when I can. If choices are limited, I pick the best available lean protein, vegetables and complex carbs. I’d rather invest time in cooking than eat something I don’t trust.
Namita Nayyar:
As a skier, you spend long hours exposed to high-altitude sun, wind, and cold snow. What does your skin care routine look like to protect your skin from such extreme environmental stress?
Mathilde Gremaud:
Sunscreen is non-negotiable. I use it daily and keep it in my car and bag. After exposure I gently cleanse and hydrate thoroughly to combat dryness from wind and cold. I use quality products (I’ve liked Cellcosmet), and I try to be consistent: sunscreen before going out and good moisturization afterward makes a big difference.
Namita Nayyar:
Helmet hair is a real struggle for athletes! How do you maintain your hair health and style while wearing a helmet for hours a day, especially during the intense competition season?
Mathilde Gremaud:
Winter hair can get messy, greasy, and flat from helmets. I bring my favorite shampoo and avoid random products. Dry shampoo helps between washes, and gentle styling, braids or low buns reduces damage. Good nutrition, regular trims and minimizing heat styling also keep hair healthier.
Namita Nayyar:
Your partner, Valentina Höll, is an Austrian mountain biking champion. You both compete in high-risk, high-adrenaline sports. How do you support each other through the pressures of competition and the inevitable injuries that come with extreme sports?
Mathilde Gremaud:
We really understand each other. When I’m stressed she knows how to calm me and I can do the same for her. We provide practical support like recovery routines, physio, emotional coaching and we trust each other deeply. That shared experience is a huge comfort and helps us cope with the unique pressures of our sports.
Namita Nayyar:
You were born in Fribourg, Switzerland. How does your Swiss heritage and upbringing influence your approach to sport and life?
Mathilde Gremaud:
Growing up in Fribourg keeps me grounded. I value loyalty, hard work, and a connection to nature traits that shape how I train and live. Returning to my roots helps me recharge when sport gets intense and the community values I was raised with influence how I conduct myself both on and off the snow.
Namita Nayyar:
Looking ahead, you’ve achieved almost everything possible in freestyle skiing: Olympic golds, World Championships, X Games, and Crystal Globes. What keeps you motivated? Are there specific tricks you still want to land, or are you looking toward new ventures outside of competition?
Mathilde Gremaud:
There are still tricks I want to land and I love competing, so I’m far from finished. I’m also curious about projects outside competition like brand work, mentoring, media but everything depends on my health and longevity in the sport. Staying healthy so I can keep pushing both in competition and beyond is the priority.
Namita Nayyar:
Finally, if you could give one piece of advice to a young Swiss girl watching your success who wants to get into freestyle skiing, what would it be?
Mathilde Gremaud:
Follow your passion. Work hard and enjoy the process. Start small, listen to good coaches, and don’t lose the fun in it. Passion and persistence open doors. Keep learning and stay curious.
Mathilde Gremaud Social Media Presence
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mathilde_gremaud/
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President of womenfitness.net, and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or in full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2026 Women Fitness