Mikaela Shiffrin, the most decorated alpine skier in history with multiple Olympic gold medals and a record-shattering World Cup career, proved she’s not just unbeatable on the slopes—she’s game for anything, including rolling up her sleeves in an Italian kitchen.
In a delightful new video making waves online, the American skiing phenom traded her skis for rolling pins as she joined a group of Italian nonnas (grandmothers) to master the art of handmade pasta. The clip, highlighted in recent coverage, shows Shiffrin attempting to keep up with the seasoned nonnas’ swift, expert techniques—kneading dough, shaping strands, and perfecting the perfect al dente texture.
“She may be fast down the slopes, but can U.S. alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin keep up making pasta with Italian nonnas?” teases NBC Boston’s segment on the wholesome moment. Viewers watch as the two-time Olympic gold medalist navigates flour-dusted counters and grandmotherly guidance, flashing her trademark smile even when things get a bit messy. It’s equal parts hilarious, heartwarming, and inspiring—showing the human side of one of the world’s top athletes.
Shiffrin, who has long been a pasta enthusiast (often crediting carbs as fuel for her grueling training and races), has partnered with brands like Barilla for years, sharing recipes and promoting the power of pasta in an athlete’s diet. This latest adventure feels like a natural extension: blending her love of Italian cuisine with authentic, generational traditions.
The video arrives as Shiffrin prepares for the upcoming 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, where she’ll aim to add to her legacy as the greatest skier of all time. But beyond the slopes, moments like this remind fans why she’s so beloved—her openness, humility, and willingness to embrace new challenges, whether it’s breaking records or learning from nonnas.
Fans are already buzzing: “From gold medals to homemade tagliatelle—Mikaela does it all!” one commenter wrote. Another added, “This is the content we need: elite athlete vs. Italian grandma energy!”
Watch the full clip and see if Shiffrin earns her pasta-making stripes—because even champions have to start somewhere in the kitchen. Buon appetito, and Forza Mikaela!
(Stay tuned for more from the skiing icon as the road to Milan-Cortina heats up.)
