Jared Schmidt

Biography

Jared Schmidt made his Olympic debut at Beijing 2022 where he made it to the quarterfinals and placed 10^th overall.

Schmidt began competing internationally in ski cross in 2017, which included an appearance at the FIS Junior World Championships. He finished the 2017-18 season ranked third in the overall Nor-Am Cup ski cross standings after earning two podium finishes. He really flourished in 2018-19 when he reached the podium in five of his six Nor-Am Cup events, including three victories.  

Schmidt got his first taste of FIS World Cup competition in January 2019 at the Canadian-hosted event in Blue Mountain. But before the end of the season, he fully tore his MCL which required reconstructive surgery. He missed the entire 2019-20 season. He returned to a full World Cup schedule in 2020-21 and in February he earned his first World Cup podium, finishing third in Bakuriani, Georgia. Schmidt added another World Cup podium in December 2021 when he finished third in Arosa, Switzerland.  

It would be two years before his next World Cup podium, but it was worth the wait as he earned his first World Cup victory in December 2023 in Val Thorens. He won the next two races as well, which included a historic day when he and sister Hannah were both victorious in Arosa. It was the first time that siblings had won ski cross World Cup races on the same day. He earned his sixth career World Cup podium in February 2025.

Schmidt debuted at the senior FIS World Championships in 2023. At the 2025 World Championships, he made it to the quarterfinals and finished ninth overall.

A Little More About Jared

Getting into the Sport: Started skiing at age 2; his parents had him on skis almost as soon as he could stand… Began competing in ski racing at age 9 but admits he was never the best in alpine… A text from Olympic teammate Brittany Phelan convinced him to try ski cross… Has wanted to compete at the Olympics since watching Alex Bilodeau win moguls gold at Vancouver 2010… Outside Interests: Enjoys reading and drawing, fly fishing, backpacking, disc golf… Is an aspiring ski guide… Studied Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership at Mount Royal University… Odds and Ends: Older sister Hannah is also a member of the 2022 and 2026 Olympic ski cross teams… Cousin Madeline Schmidt competed in kayak sprint for Canada at Tokyo 2020… Mother Lesley Anne, who helped push for women’s canoe events to be added to the Olympic program and has a great love for sport, is his inspiration… Favourite motto: “Never satisfied, never disappointed”… Never washes his race socks because he heard somewhere that clean socks are not as fast…