Mia Brookes, an 18-year-old British snowboarder, has taken the snowboarding world by storm. Her recent ascent to the top echelons of women’s slopestyle and big air has been meteoric, culminating in a World Championship gold medal, making her the youngest ever to achieve this feat. Brookes currently holds the title of slopestyle world champion, ranks seventh globally in women’s slopestyle, and sits atop the world rankings in big air, fueled by three consecutive World Cup podium finishes, including two victories. Her rapid progression and consistent podium presence have cemented her status as a rising star and a force to be reckoned with in the sport. While Brookes has enjoyed success since joining the World Cup circuit in 2020, the sheer volume of her recent achievements marks a significant leap forward, captivating the attention of the snowboarding community.
Brookes attributes her recent surge to a shift in mindset, emphasizing enjoyment and fun over the pressure of winning. Paradoxically, this relaxed approach has coincided with her most successful period. This echoes sentiments expressed by other prominent snowboarders like Chloe Kim, suggesting a correlation between a joyful approach to the sport and improved performance. This shift in perspective allows Brookes to approach competitions with a sense of freedom and playfulness, enabling her to perform at her peak without the burden of expectation.
Brookes’ journey began at the tender age of 18 months on the slopes of Kidsgrove Ski Centre in Stoke, UK. Recognizing the limitations of her home terrain for progressing in slopestyle, she and her family embarked on regular trips to the larger mountains of France and Switzerland. These early experiences laid the foundation for her future success, providing crucial exposure to diverse terrains and challenging conditions. As her aspirations grew, these trips evolved into full seasons spent honing her skills in the European Alps. Currently, Brookes primarily trains in Laax, Switzerland, a renowned snowboarding hub where she recently claimed slopestyle gold, her fourth consecutive World Cup podium finish. This victory, coinciding with her 18th birthday, held special significance.
Brookes represents a new chapter in the history of British snowboarding. While Great Britain has celebrated Olympic snowboarding medalists like Jenny Jones and Billy Morgan, Brookes is the nation’s first snowboarding world champion. She stands poised to potentially achieve another historic feat by securing Great Britain’s first Olympic gold medal in snowboarding. The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, with snowboarding events scheduled in Livigno, Italy – another familiar training ground for Brookes – presents a golden opportunity. While focusing on the immediate future, Brookes acknowledges the Olympics as a significant long-term goal.
The recent X Games in Aspen provided another platform for Brookes to showcase her versatility and talent. Competing in four disciplines – slopestyle, big air, Knuckle Huck, and street style – she secured bronze in slopestyle and silver in Knuckle Huck. Participating in such a demanding schedule underscores her dedication and adaptability. While the compressed schedule posed challenges, particularly for athletes competing across multiple disciplines, Brookes embraced the experience, viewing it as a valuable learning opportunity.
Although narrowly missing the big air podium with a fourth-place finish, Brookes’ technically impressive and stylish flat cab 1440 spin drew considerable praise, with many observers believing it deserved a higher score. While Brookes initially questioned her decision not to attempt a more complex trick, she ultimately acknowledged the inherent difficulty of executing the flat spin flawlessly and expressed satisfaction with the positive reception. This experience reinforces the importance of balancing technical difficulty with stylistic execution in judged events, a nuance that Brookes appears to masterfully navigate.
The competitive landscape in women’s slopestyle is constantly evolving, and Brookes faces strong competition, notably from her Monster Energy teammate, Zoi Sadowski-Synnott. Sadowski-Synnott’s groundbreaking backside triple cork 1440 at X Games Aspen raised the bar, highlighting the relentless progression in the sport. While Brookes currently focuses on mastering double corks and incorporating them into her runs, with eventual plans to progress to triple corks, she recognizes the importance of a steady, incremental approach to skill development.
Brookes’ approach to snowboarding emphasizes both progression and style. While acknowledging the importance of pushing boundaries and increasing the technical difficulty of tricks, she advocates for maintaining a balance with stylistic flair. She believes that the current state of women’s snowboarding allows for a harmonious blend of technical prowess and personal style, making it a compelling sport for both athletes and spectators. Brookes embodies this ideal, demonstrating that technical mastery and artistic expression can coexist, enhancing the overall appeal of snowboarding. Her youthful exuberance, combined with a dedication to progression and an unwavering commitment to style, sets Mia Brookes apart as a true force in the world of snowboarding.
