Ella Andrews has accomplished what many athletes only ever dream of. 

The former Northampton High School student was one of the lucky few named by U.S. Ski & Snowboard to represent the United States at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games.

The Winter Youth Olympic Games happen once every four years; the upcoming event will take place in Gangwon, South Korea from Jan. 21 to Feb. 1. Athletes between the ages of 15 and 18 are selected to represent the U.S. in a variety of categories. Andrews qualified as one of the team’s Freeski selections in the Slopestyle/Big Air Division. 

“Earlier this year I got the opportunity to compete at Junior Worlds for the United States and it was an absolute honor. To be selected again to represent my country at the Youth Olympic Games is a dream come true and I could not be more excited,” Andrews said. “Traveling to South Korea and being able to do the sport I love with so many new people who share that love is something special that I’m sure I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

The 16-year-old Andrews qualified for the finals in both Freestyle and Big Air at the FIS Freeski Junior Worlds, placing ninth in each event; Junior Worlds also marked her first international competition.

This is far from Andrews’ first foray in competitive skiing; she’s been competing in United States Ski and Snowboard Association events since she was 7 years old, collecting nine medals in slopestyle, halfpipe, rail jam and skiercross at USASA nationals and was the overall USASA Nationals Champion in 2017, 2019, and 2023.

Andrews, who now attends Killington Mountain School in Vermont, will compete in her first event, women’s slopestyle, on Jan. 24. A full schedule can be found online (olympics.com/en/gangwon-2024/schedule).