Skiing duo preparing to represent the UAE at Winter Olympics
From Ski Dubai to the Winter Olympics: Alex Astridge & Piera Hudson Make UAE History
Alex Astridge and Piera Hudson are set to make history as the first athletes to represent the UAE at the Winter Olympics.
The pair will compete in the men’s and women’s alpine skiing events in Milan, with Piera taking to the slopes on Sunday, February 15, followed by Alex on Monday, February 16.
Both athletes honed their skills at Ski Dubai, the indoor ski resort in Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates, proving that winter dreams can indeed begin in the desert.
Heriot-Watt Dubai student Alex, who previously represented the UAE at the 2024 Junior Olympics, pays homage to Ski Dubai as he prepares for his senior Olympic debut.
“I started skiing when I was just three at Ski Dubai,” said the 19-year-old. “My mum wanted me to learn skiing as a life skill in case we ever went on a ski holiday—and it has since transformed into me competing in the Olympics.
I owe my whole career to Ski Dubai. I grew up there, and I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now if it wasn’t for Ski Dubai.”
—Alex Astridge
Alex first experienced representing the UAE on the international stage at the Junior Winter Olympics in South Korea. Competing in the Slalom discipline, he finished 38th out of 80 athletes in his debut event.
The experience proved to be an eye-opener for the teenager, offering just a glimpse of the heights he could reach.
“I think my moment of inspiration came quite late,” Alex recalled. “I only really realised how big this could be at the opening ceremony of the Youth Olympics.”
“Seeing the crowd and all the athletes from different sports under the same roof was the moment that really inspired me to keep pushing, and to achieve the ultimate goal of reaching the Olympics in 2026,” Alex said.
“This is the biggest milestone of my life, and I hope to make not just myself proud, but the entire country, whose incredible support for Piera and me in the lead-up to the Olympics has meant so much.”
Piera’s journey has followed a slightly different path. She also started skiing at a young age but joined Ski Dubai already as an accomplished athlete, having previously represented New Zealand at the 2012 Youth Olympic Games.
The 30-year-old recalls the excitement of discovering Dubai had a ski facility when she relocated and has spoken about the support she has received since heading to Milan for the Olympics.
“I was lucky enough to ski from a very young age, so realising I could continue this when I relocated to Ski Dubai was amazing, and I was welcomed with open arms,” said Piera.
“Once I saw the passion and how inspiring the team were at Ski Dubai and the Winter Federation, I knew I could be a part of something special. I had amazing support from day one—Ski Dubai and the Olympic committee have been brilliant, and I couldn’t wish to be with a better team. They have made my dream come true.”
While the UAE does not yet have a strong tradition in winter sports, the country’s participation in the Winter Olympics reflects a broader effort to expand its presence in international sports beyond traditional disciplines such as athletics, football, and judo.
Beyond her results, Piera’s primary goal is to inspire the next generation of UAE athletes to embrace winter sports and demonstrate that it’s possible to achieve great heights, even in disciplines that are less popular in the region.
“I don’t have a specific rank that I want to achieve at these Olympics,” explained Piera. “Beyond the Games, I hope my participation can inspire the next generation. I think it’s super important for young people to see visibility and identity in different kinds of sports.
“There will be kids out there who may not even know that winter sports could be an option for them, so seeing the UAE represented on the world’s biggest stage is a huge deal.”
“Hopefully, Alex and I can set a precedent moving forward, and the UAE can field an even larger team at the 2030 Olympics.”
