Mia Brookes: A Snowboarding Prodigy’s Rise to Dominance

From a young prodigy to a world champion and back-to-back Crystal Globe winner, Brookes’ meteoric rise has been nothing short of spectacular. As she continues to dominate competitions and inspire the next generation, her journey is shaping up to be one of the most exciting stories in modern snowboarding.

The Path to the Crystal Globe: A Season of Excellence

The Crystal Globe is one of the most prestigious accolades in snowboarding, awarded to the competitor who accumulates the most points from Big Air competitions throughout the season. Winning the Crystal Globe is no small feat, requiring a combination of consistency, technical prowess, and strategic competition management.

For Brookes, the 2024 season was a testament to her skill and determination. She entered the season as the defending champion, having won her first Crystal Globe in 2023, the same year she became the youngest world champion in snowboard history at just 16 years old. Expectations were high, but Brookes delivered in spectacular fashion, showcasing a level of maturity and performance beyond her years.

Strategic Decision in Aspen

Despite her success throughout the season, Brookes made a calculated decision to sit out the fifth and final Big Air competition of the Snowboard World Cup season in Aspen. Instead of competing, she watched from the sidelines as New Zealand’s Zoi Sadowski-Synnott secured a thrilling victory in the Big Air final.

This move could have jeopardized her chances at retaining the Crystal Globe, but it ultimately paid off. A seventh-place finish for Japan’s Mari Fukada left Brookes tied with Fukada on 305 points in the overall standings. However, due to her two victories earlier in the season, Brookes was awarded the Crystal Globe, successfully defending her title.

A Humble and Unexpected Victory

In the aftermath of her triumph, Brookes expressed genuine surprise and humility at securing the title once again.

“I thought maybe I’d finish second if I was lucky, but definitely not a win,” she admitted.

This reaction speaks volumes about Brookes’ character—despite her undeniable talent, she remains grounded, focused, and driven purely by her love for the sport.

A Record-Breaking Career at Just 18

Mia Brookes’ list of achievements is already remarkable, especially considering that she is still in the early stages of her career. Some of her most significant accomplishments include:

• Becoming the youngest world champion in snowboard history at 16 years old (2023).

• Winning back-to-back Crystal Globe Big Air titles (2023, 2024).

• Consistently competing against and defeating world-class athletes, many of whom have years more experience.

• Pioneering technical tricks and pushing the progression of women’s snowboarding.

Her ability to perform under pressure and adapt to new challenges has set her apart from her peers. She is not just winning competitions—she is shaping the future of competitive snowboarding.

The Evolution of Women’s Snowboarding

Mia Brookes’ success is part of a larger movement in women’s snowboarding, where young athletes are pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Over the past decade, the sport has seen significant advancements in trick difficulty, execution, and competitive formats, with riders like Brookes leading the charge.

A New Standard of Performance

Gone are the days when women’s snowboarding was viewed as a secondary event to the men’s competitions. Today, female snowboarders are executing highly technical tricks, often matching or even surpassing the complexity seen in men’s competitions. Brookes has played a key role in this shift, demonstrating that young athletes can not only compete but dominate at the highest levels.

Breaking Stereotypes and Inspiring the Next Generation

Brookes’ success is particularly inspiring for young female athletes looking to make their mark in action sports. She is living proof that age and experience are not barriers to success—what matters most is passion, dedication, and the willingness to push limits.

Her journey has also helped challenge traditional stereotypes surrounding extreme sports, proving that women’s snowboarding is just as thrilling, competitive, and technically demanding as its male counterpart.

What’s Next for Mia Brookes?

With two Crystal Globe titles and a world championship under her belt, the big question is: What’s next for Mia Brookes?

The Push for Olympic Gold

One of the most anticipated milestones in Brookes’ career will undoubtedly be her Olympic debut. The Winter Olympics is the pinnacle of competitive snowboarding, and Brookes is expected to be one of the leading contenders for gold in the Big Air and Slopestyle events. If she continues her current trajectory, she could solidify her place as one of the greatest snowboarders of her generation.

Pushing the Limits of Trick Progression

Beyond competition, Brookes has consistently demonstrated a willingness to experiment and innovate in her riding. Snowboarding, particularly in disciplines like Big Air and Slopestyle, thrives on progression. The sport is constantly evolving, with new tricks being invented and perfected each season.

Brookes is at the forefront of this evolution, and fans can expect her to continue pushing the boundaries by learning and executing groundbreaking tricks. She has already established herself as a rider capable of delivering technical, stylish, and high-risk maneuvers, and the future holds even more exciting possibilities.

Expanding Her Influence Beyond Competition

As her star power grows, Brookes has the potential to influence the sport beyond just competition. Whether through sponsorships, mentoring young riders, or becoming an ambassador for snowboarding, she has the platform to make a lasting impact.

Her journey is also a compelling story for brands and media, making her an ideal athlete to represent major sporting companies, including snowboard brands, apparel companies, and lifestyle sponsors.

Impression

At just 18 years old, Mia Brookes has already achieved what many athletes spend a lifetime chasing. Her back-to-back Crystal Globe victories, her historic world championship title, and her growing influence in snowboarding mark her as one of the sport’s brightest stars.

But what makes her truly special is not just her impressive list of accomplishments—it’s her passion, humility, and relentless drive to progress.

As she continues her journey, one thing is certain: Mia Brookes is far from finished. With Olympic gold on the horizon, a legacy of pushing limits, and an entire generation watching, she is set to leave an indelible mark on the sport.

For now, the snowboarding world can only watch in awe as Mia Brookes continues to rise, redefine, and dominate the sport she loves.