Steamboat snowboarder completes first World Cup season, blazes trail toward 2026 Olympics
At 18, Walker Overstake has made his mark; now aims for Milan-Cortina
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Walker Overstake always dreamed of adding his name to the long list of Olympians from Steamboat Springs.
Now, he is one step closer.
Competing on the World Cup circuit was a future plan for the 18-year-old Alpine snowboarder from Steamboat Springs. He just never imagined it would happen so quickly.
Overstake spent four weeks training in the mountains of Chile this summer, working with coach Patrik Gaudet as well as snowboarders Arnaud Gaudet and Steamboat’s Cody Winters.
By the end of camp in mid-September, Overstake found himself catching and even beating Winters and Arnaud Gaudet with consistency.
That was when coach Patrik recognized Overstake’s potential to qualify for the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina, Italy.
“Pat explained that if I wanted to pursue this, I would have to compete in the World Cup circuit for the upcoming season,” Overstake said. “The plan was to gain experience and start earning an Olympic quota spot.”
The greatest obstacle to that plan?
Overstake would have six weeks to graduate high school in order to focus on the World Cup. His deadline was Nov. 8.
With concerns of Overstake struggling to maintain a strong grade point average for his educational-future, his parents, Ryan and Heather, were hesitant regarding this rapid change in his life.
But with the support of the Steamboat Springs School District and high school principal Jay Hamric, Overstake’s parents got on board.
“If by 18 years of age they can’t make most of their decisions — call it 90% — then they probably aren’t ready to make a decision like that,” Ryan explained. “Those who are given responsibility understand responsibility. You have to allow that freedom.”
After receiving the go-ahead, Overstake knocked out his online classes in just six weeks; graduated high school six months early; got his Chinese visa and began preparing for his first-career World Cup event at Mylin Valley Ski Resort in China.
A lot to accomplish on such short notice.
“Sometimes in those stressful environments, you can do things unbelievably fast that normally wouldn’t be possible,” Overstake said.
The growth of a champion
Overstake was just 2 when he strapped into a snowboard for the first time.
Through the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, he competed in every discipline but gravitated toward his snowboard and was best at racing.
“I had a good board feel when I was young and I really enjoyed it,” Overstake said.
His progress at the youth level was quick and he began training with local North American Cup athletes before becoming of age to compete in FIS-level events — at 15 years old.
Finally, in January 2022, Overstake earned his first NorAm start in Canada. He was competing in both boardercross and Alpine snowboard competitions.
The following year, his age-16 season, Overstake earned his first NorAm podium, placing third at an Alpine event on Howelsen Hill.
Overstake made massive strides in his first few FIS seasons, reaching several Junior World Championships and competing at a high level in NorAm Cup events.
Struggling early at the 2024 Junior World Championships in Austria, Overstake found himself in the parallel slalom team event with his Minnesota teammate, Grace Domino. With nothing to lose, Overstake rode at his best and the duo took home a silver medal.
“It showed me what I could be able to do,” Overstake explained. He collected enough points in the 2024 season to qualify for the 2024-25 World Cup circuit.
Walker Overstake, right, became a parallel slalom national champion this weekend at Copper Mountain. He is joined by silver medalist, Shogo Suminaga of Japan.
Walker Overstake/Courtesy Photo
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