From Mammoth to Milan: Celebrating Our Olympic Athletes

The Winter Olympics begin this week, and here in Mammoth, that excitement hits a little closer to home.

Competing on the world’s biggest stage is the culmination of years—often decades—of early mornings, hard work, sacrifice, and belief. To see athletes who grew up training on our mountain, learning their craft in our community, and chasing big dreams now headed to Italy is nothing short of extraordinary.

Mammoth has long been a place where passion meets opportunity, and this year is no exception. While we are proud of every American athlete representing their sport on the world stage, we are especially excited to celebrate the Mammoth athletes who call this community home.

Several of these Olympians crossed paths with Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation early in their journeys—through youth programs, scholarships, educational support, and access to opportunities that helped shape their path forward. Seeing them now, competing at the highest level, is a powerful reminder of why investing in young people matters.

As they head to Italy, we’re cheering loudly—from the chairlifts, from our living rooms, and from right here at the base of the mountain where so many of their stories began.

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Kate Gray — Freeski Halfpipe

Born and raised in Mammoth Lakes, Kate Gray has been on skis since age two and competing at the highest levels of freeskiing since her early teens. Inspired by her three older brothers, Kate developed her fearless style on Mammoth’s terrain and has since become one of the few athletes in the world competing across halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air for Team USA—making this her first Olympic Games.

Kate balanced elite-level training and global competition through Mammoth High School’s FLEX program, supported by Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation, allowing her to excel academically while pursuing her sport. After overcoming a major injury that sidelined her for much of a season, Kate returned stronger than ever, continuing to push boundaries and represent Mammoth on the world stage.

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Tyler Wallasch — Ski Cross

Tyler Wallasch is a Ski Cross Olympian and MMCF FLEX program alum whose path to the world stage was made possible by balancing elite competition with education through Mammoth High School. By his senior year, Tyler was already competing on the World Cup circuit, a schedule that would have been impossible without the flexibility and support of the FLEX program.

Tyler represented Team USA at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, officially earning his place as an Olympian after years of dedication and global competition. Today, he continues to give back to the Mammoth community, returning as a coach at MMCF events and inspiring the next generation of athletes who are following in his tracks.

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Kate Delson — Para Snowboard

Kate Delson is a Paralympic snowboarder, MMCF FLEX program alum, and longtime Access Mammoth athlete who will represent Team USA at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. Her journey on snow began at just three years old in Mammoth, where she discovered snowboarding early and found a sense of freedom that shaped both her confidence and her future.

Through adaptive programs like Access Mammoth and the flexibility of MMCF’s FLEX program, Kate was able to pursue elite-level training while staying connected to her education and community. Now one of the youngest members of the U.S. Para Snowboard Team, Kate’s story is a powerful reminder of how access, inclusion, and support can open doors—to the world stage and beyond.

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Maddie Mastro – Snowboard Halfpipe

Maddie Mastro is a true Mammoth hometown hero and one of the most influential riders in women’s halfpipe snowboarding. A two-time Olympian and World Championship medalist, Maddie has spent years pushing the sport forward while remaining deeply connected to the Mammoth community.

She’s crossed paths with Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation through her involvement and support, including speaking at one of our events and sharing her story with honesty, confidence, and heart. Known for her openness around mental health and self-expression, Maddie uses her platform to empower others both on and off the snow.

As she heads to Italy, we’re proud to cheer on not only an elite athlete, but a Mammoth local who continues to inspire the next generation.

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Honorable Mention: Ben Wisner

Ben Wisner is a true part of the MMCF family and someone whose impact reaches far beyond the competition stage. A longtime supporter of Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation, Ben consistently gives back—donating lessons as auction items and showing up in meaningful ways to support our mission.

As Director of Freeski and Snowboard for the Mammoth Mountain Ski & Snowboard Team, Ben has been recognized by his peers as a one-of-a-kind coach, earning honors as both Overall and Snowboard Development Coach of the Year. His leadership at Mammoth has helped shape athletes and elevate the sport on a national level, and we’re proud to celebrate the role he plays in supporting athletes and our community alike.

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Congratulations to all of our Team USA athletes on qualifying for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. We’ll be watching, cheering, and celebrating every moment as you take the world stage. Best of luck in Italy—you’ve already made us proud.