Katie Hensien isn’t one to shy away from taking the more challenging path. Case in point, for the second-straight season, not only will she ski for the U.S. Ski Team but she plans to continue her college studies and ski at the University of Denver. For Katie, taking on skiing and school is what helps keep her balanced, enabling her to maintain her focus and competitive edge. It's something Katie learned to do while at Rowmark Ski Academy and so far has her stronger, faster and more prepared for the season ahead than ever. Perhaps Katie sums it up best, “I’m just trying to find my center of gravity in life and sport.”

FIRST TRACKS
Katie’s parents introduced her to the sport of skiing on a family trip to Whister, B.C. when she was only three. It quickly became apparent that skiing was something Katie loved to do. So, her parents bought an Airstream trailer and parked it in Lot B a Crystal Mountain in Washington so Katie could spend her winter weekends skiing and racing with Crystal Mountain Alpine Club (CMAC). Then in 2014, the family packed up and moved to Park City, UT so that Katie could attend Rowland Hall and Rowmark Ski Academy.

As a Freshman, Katie began her Rowmark career strong with a U16 slalom national championship in Sugarloaf, Maine, in 2015. Rowmark Director Todd Brickson still remembers the middle of Katie's second run, when she suddenly and precariously skied on one foot as the other flew into the air. “Katie's incredible recovery to win that U16 title epitomizes her style”, Todd said. "She goes all out, she attacks, but she's also a smart skier," he explained. Katie continued to work her way up the FIS and NorAM circuit. 

During her first year with the team, Katie started her first World Cups in Killington, Vermont and then Flachau, Austria in SL. Katie placed 4th in SL at the 2018 Junior World Championships in Davos, Switzerland. She crushed it, along with teammates at the 2019 Junior World Championships, grabbing second in the team event, and she'll be busy balancing an NCAA schedule, classes and the U.S. Ski Team schedule during the 2019-20 season. 

OFF THE SNOW
Katie is a student at Denver University with a B.A in Computer Science and Business with a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. She is also a member of the DU Ski Team. Katie enjoys mountain biking, backcountry skiing and training her 1.5-year-old German Shepherd, Jess. In the summer she takes time to coach young girls at Keely’s Ski Camp for girls.