The history of alpine and powder skiing is filled with figures who challenged conventions, and among them stands Suzy Chaffee—known to the world as “Suzy Chapstick.” A U.S. Olympic alpine skier, freestyle pioneer, and one of the most visible female athletes of her generation, Chaffee helped shift the culture of skiing by championing women’s participation in the sport while broadening its appeal through both performance and personality.

Born in 1946, Suzy rose to prominence in the 1960s as part of the U.S. Ski Team. Competing in the 1968 Winter Olympics, she combined undeniable athletic talent with a charisma that would soon make her a household name. But her legacy extends well beyond competition. At a time when women in skiing were often sidelined, Suzy used her platform to advocate for equal opportunities and to expand the scope of what skiing could represent—especially for women.

By the 1970s, Chaffee had become synonymous with a new spirit of skiing: stylish, adventurous, and accessible. Through her famous endorsement as “Suzy Chapstick,” she transcended the boundaries of sport to become a cultural icon. This visibility brought freestyle and powder skiing to mainstream audiences, ensuring that women were not just participants but leaders in shaping the sport’s future.

Chaffee was also an outspoken advocate for gender equality. As chairwoman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness under President Ford, she pressed for Title IX and for greater representation of women in athletics. In skiing, her influence helped create pathways for more women to step into competitive, instructional, and cultural leadership roles. Powder skiing, once framed as a male-dominated frontier, became a canvas for women to demonstrate artistry, athleticism, and independence.

Her approach to skiing was not just about medals or marketing but about broadening access and redefining what it meant to be a skier. Just as Dolores LaChapelle viewed powder skiing as a spiritual practice, Chaffee understood it as a cultural one—where visibility, advocacy, and performance could combine to inspire generations.

Today, Suzy Chaffee’s contributions are remembered as equal parts trailblazing and transformative. As a competitor, she proved herself on the Olympic stage; as a public figure, she drew millions into the sport; and as an advocate, she ensured women had the opportunity to carve their own lines through the mountains. Her legacy is not only etched in powder but in the wider movement for equality and empowerment in sport.