Alana Nichols

Alpine Ski Race - IG: @alanathejane | Twitter: @alananichols21

Reno, NV, USA

Alana Nichols is a world-class athlete with a passion for challenging herself and others. From a young age, her passion for sports and adventure has driven her and no matter what obstacle life throws her way, she takes a challenge head on. After suffering a spinal cord injury at age 17 while attempting a back flip on her snowboard, Alana quickly transitioned to adaptive sports. She is the first American female to win gold medals at both Summer (Wheelchair Basketball) and Winter (Alpine Ski Racing) Olympic/Paralympic Games. After London 2012 and Sochi 2014 Alana went on to compete in a third sport; Sprint Kayak at the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Paralympic Games and has a passion for surfing with a current goal of getting adaptive surfing into the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. As of lately, she picked up the sports of sled hockey and downhill mountain biking. The only goal she has is having the most fun!

Ask Alana

If you could spend a day with any other SMITH athlete, who would it be and why?

I have really enjoyed following River Radamus at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing and feel like we have a lot in common! I would thoroughly love a day of ripping around a mountain with him!

What is your biggest fear or achilles heel?

I have a fear of hitting someone in my sit-ski. Mostly because if I did, they would lose that battle 100%. My sit-ski is like 35lbs of heavy metal, so I ski pretty safely in bounds because of that.

What's your go-to coffee shop order?

I love a super-hot oat milk latte with cinnamon sprinkled on top.

What is your favorite SMITH product?

The SMITH Lowdown 2 in Matte Black is my current obsession because they look dope and go with everything. Recently tried the new Women’s Bobcat and love it because it’s like wearing goggles but not! No brainer for any sport!

What are 5 things you can't leave home without?

Aloha Fanny pack (keys, cards, chapstick, etc.) SMITH Lowdown 2’s (I have green eyes and literally have to wear shades everywhere) Cell Phone (duh) a bubbly water (obsessed) and my wheelchair haha.

If you weren't a professional skier, what would you be?

Honestly, I think I missed my calling as a car racer! That or a stained-glass artist.

If you could have 1 super-power, what would it be?

Flying! Just cut out the middle man (legs- functional or not) and let me soar!!

Accolades

2016 Paralympic Games Sprint Kayaking- 7th Place
2015 ISA Worlds Adaptive Surfing Championships - 7th overall in all-male field for the Upright division
2015 Duisburg, Germany: World Cup Bronze- Sprint Kayak 200m
2014 Sochi, Russia: Paralympic Silver Medal- Alpine Skiing Downhill
2012 Paralympic Summer Games - 4th place Wheelchair Basketball
2011 Parapan American Games - Gold Medal
2011 World Champion - Downhill Super-G
2011 Paralympic Athlete of the Year
2011 Colorado Sports Woman of the Year
2011 NWBA National Champion
2010-12 Three-Time ESPY Nominee
2010 Paralympic Winter Games - Two Gold Medals: Downhill & Giant Slalom; Silver Medal Super-G; Bronze Medal Super Combined
2009 National Champion (Downhill and Super-G)
2008 Paralympic Summer Games - Gold Medal Wheelchair Basketball
2007 Parapan American Games - Gold Medal