Athlete Spotlight: AJ Hurt

AJ Hurt is a standout Tahoe-native alpine skier. She was enrolled in Mighty Mites as a kid and rose up through the ranks, getting exposure to diverse terrain, successful athletes, and premier coaches while growing her love for ski racing.

Hurt made her World Cup debut in November 2017 at Killington, Vermont, just shy of her 17th birthday. She represented the USA at both the World Championships in 2021 and at the Beijing Winter Games in 2022. Hurt’s breakout year in 2024 resulted in podiums in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, and Soldeu, Andorra, in slalom and giant slalom, respectively. In recognition of her remarkable performance, Hurt was voted the 2024 “FIS Season Warrior” through a public poll, highlighting her as the most inspiring, resilient athlete of the season.

Hurt is credited with balancing tenacity with playfulness. This contrast demonstrates Hurt’s duality in the often-serious world of ski racing. As Hurt prepares for competing in Italy, our team had the privilege to sit down with her to discuss her roots at Palisades Tahoe, successful podiums, and upcoming goals.

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What makes Palisades Tahoe so unique, and how does this mountain develop high-level athletes?

I think what’s special about Palisades is that we spent so much time free skiing growing up, whereas a lot of other race communities and mountains focus so much on training and gates. I felt like I didn’t really train all that much growing up, and was more just skiing KT all the time. I think having that good base of free skiing allows you to be able to see any kind of terrain at any kind of rut, and that was huge in my development.

AJ Hurt competing at Alpine as a youth racer for Team Palisades Tahoe

Your father, Steve Hurt, has been on Palisades Tahoe ski patrol since your childhood. How did his close ties to the mountain impact your development as an athlete?

That’s a good question. He’s worked on the mountain for almost 40 years now, including being a lift op before. He would take me everywhere. I grew up skiing all sorts of terrain and going to the patrol shack with him.

My mom also claims that she was the one who taught me how to ski. So, I’ve got to give her credit there. But, overall, being at Palisades with my dad was such a huge part of growing up, and I was out on the mountain pretty much every day.

Steve Hurt and AJ Hurt at the finish of the 2017 Audi FIS Ski World Cup, where AJ was a forerunner

Are there any athletes, coaches, or mentors who have been instrumental in guiding your career?

John Cashman, who also happens to be my best friend’s dad, was my coach for many years growing up. I owe a lot to him, and he believed in me when I was progressing to the next level. I also obviously grew up watching Julia Mancuso and looking up to her a lot. I admire not just how good a skier she was, but her attitude and how she just wanted to have fun, which I love to see.

AJ Hurt with professional skier, Julia Mancuso

You were part of the US Ski Team that went to Beijing in 2022. How did your roots at Palisades Tahoe prepare you?

I think growing up and seeing how many professional athletes came from around here, coupled with knowing that’s what I wanted for so long. When I finally got to that point, it felt so surreal and amazing. My friends and I talk about how cool the opening ceremony was. Looking up and seeing those rings in real life was like a dream come true.

What’s been one of the most surprising moments in your ski career?

Two years ago, racing in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, I was racing slalom, and I ended up placing third. This was crazy because previously, the best I had placed was maybe 26th. That was a pretty absurd and exciting day. I still look back on that, and it feels unreal.

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Footage from AJ Hurt’s first career podium in Kranjska Gora

What is the competition season like on the circuit?

Obviously, we spend a lot of our time training and working out. We train for two hours a day, and then usually have a workout or physical therapy for another couple of hours. But I think we do a good job as a team of finding fun. We play a lot of Catan, Mario Kart, and other games.

AJ Hurt with her father, Steve Hurt, and Andy Wirth, the former COO of Palisades Tahoe, at the 2017 Audi FIS Ski World Cup

Going into this upcoming cycle, is there anything you’re looking to do differently?

I don’t think so. I think it’s good to focus on consistency and not think too much about the pressure of competing, and focus on the skiing and the basics, and try to make every run the same and as good as you can.

Palisades Tahoe was recently praised as a ski resort that produces the best skiers by Unofficial Networks? What’s your take?

Let’s go! I agree. I think that history says that Palisades does produce some of the most professional skiers, not just alpine, but across the board. And there’s a reason for that; it’s an incredible mountain and program.

Tune in to watch AJ compete in Slalom and Giant Slalom

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Palisades Tahoe Pro Athlete Blog Series
• Jonny Moseley
• JT Holmes
• Amie Engerbretson
• Connery Lundin
• Bryce Bennett
• AJ Hurt
• Michelle Parker