Grace Elden isn’t here to play the contest game. The 20-year-old freeskier out of Montana — better known to her fast-growing audience as @GraceShreds — has been making a name for herself not with double corks or podiums, but with a style-first approach that favors creativity over conformity. While the mainstream ski scene continues its push toward acrobatic escalation, Grace is busy dragging hands, buttering rollers, and carving out space for a more playful, more personal kind of progression.
Frank151 caught up with Grace to chat about what it means to find your lane in a sport increasingly obsessed with technicality. We talk about her recent debut at X Games Knuckle Huck, where she brought her unique flavor to one of the most offbeat and expressive events in competition skiing. It may not have been about medals for her — it rarely is — but it was a national-stage moment that confirmed what her followers already knew: Grace is doing things her way, and it’s working.
Between balancing a college workload and building a raw, loyal social media following, she’s forging a different kind of path — one rooted in authenticity, style, and just having fun.
In this conversation, Grace opens up about the pressures of the scene, her take on the sport’s shifting identity, and why staying relatable might just be the most radical move left. No pretense, no pre-packaged athlete branding — just a skier doing her thing, on her own terms.
And in a landscape that sometimes forgets skiing is supposed to be fun, Grace Elden is a much-needed reminder of why we all originally got into freeskiing.
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FRANK 151: How did it feel competing in your very first X Games? Was it everything you imagined, or were there unexpected surprises?
Honestly, it was surreal. It was everything I had imagined—but at the same time, so different. I found out last minute that I was invited to compete. I got the call on New Year’s Eve—just 25 days before the competition. It was like a dream. So many emotions.
I felt ready and excited—until the week before. That’s when I got knocked down with the flu. A 102-degree fever and bed rest. I was devastated, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me. Despite being sick right before the event, I still stepped onto that stage because this was the moment I had been waiting for my entire life. I kept reminding myself: we’re all human, and it’s okay to not feel 100%.
FRANK 151: Can you take us back to the beginning? How did you get into skiing, and at what point did you realize it was more than just a hobby?
I got into skiing because of my family. Both my mom and dad were avid skiers, and they insisted I learn before I was even two years old. I don’t even remember learning—it’s just something I’ve always done.
It wasn’t until I was about 14 or 15, while competing in USASA and climbing the competitive ladder, that I realized I wanted to pursue skiing professionally.
FRANK 151: Growing up in Montana, what was it like having the mountains as your backyard? Do you think your environment played a big role in shaping your skiing style?
Absolutely. Growing up in Montana gave me easy and constant access to the sport, which was a huge factor. My parents were willing to take me to the mountain from a very young age.
Also, the skiing community in Montana, the kind of terrain, and the riding style definitely influenced my early ski career.
FRANK 151: Who were some of your early influences in the world of skiing? Were there particular athletes or mentors who inspired you to push boundaries?
Maggie Voisin has been one of my biggest inspirations. She grew up in my hometown, and I remember her teaching me how to do a front flip on the trampoline when I was 10. Her style and abilities were always inspiring to me, and I knew I wanted to compete at her level someday.
FRANK 151: What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your skiing career so far, and how did you overcome it?
Injuries are tough. I’ve had my fair share. When I was 16 and just starting my ski career, I dislocated my femur from the hip joint, which put me in a wheelchair for about six months. Doctors told me I wouldn’t be able to ski at the same level again and that I’d have a hard time living a normal life after that injury.
But I told them, “That’s not going to happen.” I was determined to get back on my feet and return to where I was. Dedication and discipline were what got me through. Talent comes naturally to some people, and so does skiing, but to be truly successful, it takes showing up even when you don’t feel like it.
FRANK 151: The X Games stage is one of the most intense in action sports. How did you mentally and physically prepare for the competition?
Since I was knocked out with the flu, physical preparation was really tough. I had to focus on the mental game—visualizing my runs, creating a game plan, and strategizing which tricks I wanted to throw.
It was stressful. I didn’t know if I’d be well enough to ski or perform in front of such a massive audience. But I kept reminding myself: this is what I’ve been working toward. No matter how I performed, I was skiing against myself—testing my boundaries, pushing my physical limits—and that alone was rewarding enough.
FRANK 151: Are there specific tricks or runs you’ve been working on that you’re particularly proud of landing during the X Games?
Yes—being able to stomp a nosebutter 720 past the third line of the Big Air knuckle was insane. I swear I could count to three before I hit the ground. It was the coolest feeling and the biggest knuckle I’ve ever seen in my life.
Most people don’t realize the scale of these tricks. The cameras don’t do it justice.
FRANK 151: What’s the skiing community like in Montana these days? With some of the most iconic freeskiers of all time coming from your area—like Adam Delorme and Tanner Hall—what’s the scene like in 2025, and how has it supported your journey to the global stage?
I absolutely love the ski community in Montana. I’ve skied all over the world, and the energy and friendship that come with skiing in Montana are unmatched. I’ve never felt so welcomed and supported by a community. I’m proud to say Montana is my home base.
FRANK 151: Looking ahead, what are your goals for the future? Are there other competitions or projects you’re particularly excited about?
I definitely plan to return to compete in the X Games in future seasons. This year, I’ve also been working on my own ski movie. I’ve been traveling to Japan and other countries to film. The project will be released in the fall, and I’m incredibly excited to put it all together.
FRANK 151: Finally, what advice would you give to young skiers—especially those from smaller ski towns—who dream of competing on a stage like the X Games one day?
Be yourself—genuinely. You don’t have to be the best skier in the world. Your authenticity will separate you from the crowd.
It’s not about how quickly or exactly you get there. If you focus on having fun, building friendships, being part of a community, and staying true to your own style, you’ll make it.