Olympic champion and alpine skiing great Mikaela Shiffrin shared a warm moment with singer-songwriter Noah Kahan after catching him perform in her home state, calling the night a special connection rooted in their shared Upper Valley roots.
In a post on X late Sunday, Shiffrin wrote of the pleasure of seeing Kahan on stage the previous evening, signing off with “Upper Valley Forever” and a heart emoji. The message quickly resonated with fans of both the record-breaking skier and the Vermont folk-pop star, highlighting a longstanding mutual appreciation between two high-profile figures from the same New England region.
Shiffrin, the most successful alpine skier in World Cup history with well over 100 victories, three Olympic gold medals, and multiple overall titles, has Vermont ties through her formative years at Burke Mountain Academy. Kahan, raised in Strafford in Vermont’s Upper Valley, has built a massive following with introspective hits from albums including Stick Season and his more recent work, often celebrating the landscapes and emotional texture of New England life.
The two have crossed paths before. Kahan previously performed at a private gathering for Shiffrin and members of the U.S. Ski Team, and the skier has publicly praised his songwriting for its honesty and emotional depth. Shiffrin has described the Upper Valley background as a meaningful link and has called herself a big fan of his music.
Their latest encounter underscores how athletes and artists from the same tight-knit region can form genuine connections away from the spotlight. For Shiffrin, still in the midst of a decorated career that includes dominance in technical events and recent Olympic success, nights like these offer a break from the intensity of competition. For Kahan, whose music frequently explores themes of home, belonging, and the pull of familiar places, performing for local and regional audiences carries special weight.
Fans responded enthusiastically to Shiffrin’s post, celebrating the crossover between winter sports excellence and contemporary folk. The moment adds another chapter to a friendship that feels authentically grounded in shared geography and mutual respect rather than manufactured celebrity.
As both continue their respective careers—one carving turns on World Cup slopes, the other filling venues with heartfelt anthems—the “Upper Valley Forever” sentiment captured something simple and lasting: two standouts from the same corner of New England taking time to appreciate each other’s craft.
