Nominee Spenser Gustafson is A Team USA Paralympian Built by Character
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Spenser Gustafson is a senior at Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy in Minturn, Colorado — and a Positive Athlete nominee who just represented Team USA as a 2026 USA Paralympian guide to his sister Meg Gustafson at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina, Italy.
Spenser serves as the sighted guide for his younger sister Meg, a 16-year-old para alpine ski racer who is visually impaired. In every race, Spenser skis ahead of Meg in a bright orange suit, calling out gate positions and terrain changes through a Bluetooth headset so she can follow his line down the mountain. If he crashes, her run is over. If he falls behind or gets too far ahead, they're disqualified. Everything he does on the course is for her.
His nomination speaks to his character, "Spenser has been ski racing since the age of 4. His sister began losing vision in 2021 and Spenser became her visually impaired guide while also pursuing his own ski career. As a team, they are the top ranked US para team and race World Cup, currently ranked 6th in the world."
Meg was born with a genetic condition affecting her eyes, and at age 12 both of her retinas fully detached, requiring six surgeries. Today she has about seven degrees of total vision. When she needed a guide she could trust completely, Spenser stepped up. He learned an entirely new discipline, adapted his aggressive racing style for her safety, and committed his senior year to helping his sister chase her Paralympic dream. Together they won seven straight FIS races, earned a World Cup podium, and made the U.S. Paralympic Team, competing in five events at the Games this March.
Spenser is a talented skier in his own right with collegiate racing aspirations. But he chose to use that talent in service to someone else, and that's what being a Positive Athlete is all about.
Know a student-athlete like Spenser? Nominate them today, it's free and takes just five minutes. All nominees receive lifelong leadership and career development resources, plus eligibility for $2,500 scholarships.
Nominations are open now through April 15, 2026.
Spenser Gustafson is a Positive Athlete Colorado nominee and member of Ski and Snowboard Club Vail. He and his sister Meg represented Team USA in Para Alpine Skiing at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
