Two-Time National Alpine Champion Roberts Comes Out
In an interview with The New York Times, Hig Roberts, a U.S. Alpine Ski Team alumnus, two-time U.S. national champion, and former Middlebury NCAA skier, shared that he is gay—becoming the first elite men’s alpine skier to publicly come out as gay, hoping to encourage others to be themselves.
“I just woke up one morning and I said, ‘Enough is enough,’” Roberts said to the New York Times. “I love this sport more than anything — I’m so lucky and privileged to be doing this — but I can’t go on another day not trying to achieve the person that I am meant to be. Which I think for each and every one of us, one of those main goals needs to be happiness and authenticity.”
The Steamboat, Colo. native had a successful four years of collegiate ski racing for Middlebury and a stint with Team America and coach Peter Lange during the 2015 season, then he rocketed to the U.S. Ski Team B Team. His collegiate career featured two NCAA team slalom championships and an appearance at the 2013 World University Games. Hig was named to the U.S. Ski Team in 2015-16 for two seasons and snagged two national championships, including the giant slalom national title in 2017 and the slalom national title in 2018.
In August of 2016, Hig's younger brother, Murphy, died after a diabetic seizure while hiking, falling, and sustaining a head injury. "Murph," as Hig called him, was just 22.
Hig told the New York Times, that Murph taught him to live authentically.
As he ascended in the sport and struggled again with his sexual identity, the slopes became a safe haven — the only place he could freely fly down a mountain.
Until his world came crashing down.
In August 2016 his younger brother, Murphy, died after he had a diabetic seizure while on a hike, fell and sustained a head injury. Murphy was 22.
The sudden loss of his brother was a blow that almost ended Roberts’s career; he recalled Murphy as the “most special person” in his life. Murphy, who grew up with Type 1 diabetes, taught Roberts one of his most valuable lessons: Live every day authentically yourself.
The ski industry is intensely male-dominated and "hyper-masculine," and though many Americans aren't as familiar with ski racers...they are like gods and goddesses over in Europe. Skiing to Europe is the NFL or NBA to America. It's wild. Thousands of screaming fans asking for autographs. But Hig said he felt as though he were in an environment that "almost encouraged womanizing." "Instead, he opted for his hotel room, alone."
When the New York Times piece went live on Sunday, there was an outpouring of love and support from former teammates, friends, and ski industry members on social media. Two-time Olympian Tommy Ford, who just snagged his career-third FIS Ski World Cup podium in Santa Caterina, Italy posted his support on Instagram, saying that he was "Proud of Hig for coming out as gay. Thank you for being courageous. Time for things to change."
Hig posted on his Instagram on Tuesday. Here is an excerpt:
...the one thing I have not conquered until now is: my own self, my identity—or in other words—my authentic truth. So, in the name of doing myself the greatest justice there is in life, I’ll be doing that now.
I am gay.
It is puzzling to think that this 3-letter word, just like my name and equally as critical to my identity has eluded me during this “full” life. Rather than try to pan for that answer which has been veiled in maybe fear, maybe weakness, and also maybe the understanding that I would eventually come to this moment on my own time, I have decided to release and embrace my genuine intention. I share this because while parts of my journey are unique, I feel that I am in the process of harnessing one of life’s greatest lessons that I do believe all of us have the capability to realize. Simply put, it is flipping the script on what you perceive to be your greatest weaknesses and instead employing them as your greatest strengths...
Big congratulations to Hig for being brave to share his story with the world and be authentically himself. Hig's honesty will undoubtedly inspire others to be comfortable with who they are.