#SnowStories: Raised in the desert, defined by the mountains – Alex Astridge puts UAE on the Alpine map

It is unusual for the desert and snow to meet, recorded only a handful of times over the years. Yet whenever Alex Astridge takes to the slopes, he unites the two in the pursuit of greatness.

Having moved to Dubai at just six months old, it is the only home he has ever known.

By three, Alex began skiing. By seven he was racing, and by nine he was competing across the globe where he made the decision to represent the UAE internationally.

For a long time, skiing felt almost as though he was on autopilot. When the 19-year-old experienced the Youth Olympics for the first time, however, everything changed.  

“A defining moment when it went from just being something I did to an actual obsession and something I needed to do was at the Youth Olympics,” he exclusively told FIS.

“At the opening ceremony, flag bearing was [unbelievable]. That was the moment I was like yeah, this is it. This is cool.”

The experience was made even more special given it was Alex’s first international event, previously held back by persistent injuries as he chased his dream.

Facing down the barrel of setback after setback can make it hard to find motivation. Thankfully for this slalom specialist, the sport gives him everything he needs to keep showing up.

“The feeling of skiing is amazing; it isn’t necessarily a sport that which gives back hugely, but when it does it is an amazing feeling,” he explained.

“The adrenaline, the good days when it’s sunny and you’re seeing all the views… that’s definitely a big motivator.

“But also, just being proud of myself. Doing something which I always saw as unattainable as a kid – Youth Olympics, Asian Games – it was all just a dream but now I’m doing it, it’s really nice.

“Everything I do goes towards skiing – it’s my whole life right now.”

Alex’s dedication is for good reason, too. A flag bearer at the YOG, he now stands as a trailblazer for the UAE when it comes to winter sports.

His pursuit of greatness has never just been personal, but rather a desire to show others around him exactly what is possible.

A mentorship that forged a career

For many young skiers, their coaches or mentors are found from within their family unit. Parents will often take up that role across the formative years, helping them grow both personally and professionally.

For Alex, his mentorship came under the guidance of Mohamed Moulay, who has channeled his own love of snow sports into shaping the next generation.

An instructor in the early days of Ski Dubai, Mohamed has worked his way to the role of Head Coach, both he and Alex sharing their journey side-by-side and growing together.

Not only was he the Alpine skier’s first coach when he joined at three, he remains his mentor to this day as the two embark on a historic outing at the upcoming Winter Olympics.

“When I was a kid, it was a coach-athlete relationship, but as I’ve grown up I see it more as a friendship,” Alex explained.

“He is someone I can speak to and someone who understands me, understands that when I’m angry or screaming it’s not who I am, it’s just frustration.”

On the biggest lesson that Mohamed has taught him, Alex adds: “To not give up, to understand that even when things are difficult, I just have to keep going.

“He was with me through my biggest injury where I had people telling me I wouldn’t ski again… he was there in the hospital every day and we were back on skis within five months.”

Despite the teacher-student dynamic, sharing wisdom is very much a two-way street between this pair.

The teenager has passed on the value of finding joy in what he does and, even in the face of career-threatening injuries, simply enjoying the journey.

“It’s something that everyone can learn from him,” Mohamed said.

“You’re not going to see him upset or overwhelmed about something, he is enjoying the moment and going with the flow.”

Looking ahead and leading by example

He may still be considered a teenager, but Alex is undoubtedly a role model for the young skiers that surround him. As the first UAE athlete to represent the nation at a Winter Olympic Games, he is proof that you can make it to the top even if you’re working your way up from the desert.

For some of these up-and-coming snow sports enthusiasts, that is ultimately the difference between persisting with the discipline or quitting. Where others may find pressure in showing that you can be a success, Astridge takes it in his stride.

“I know all the kids here, I know the people are next after me. It’s just so amazing to be able to show them that we’re competing and that they can do it too,” he said.

“It keeps their attention, stops the kids from quitting and keeps them going up and making it to the international stage as well.”

On whether or not he is tuned into the pressure that can come with such a role, the teen adds: “I think it just filters out. I’m just doing what I do and I try my best to keep in touch with the kids, especially when I’m training in the mountains.

“I try to be here when I can and have my face seen and train with them. I don’t think there’s much pressure to it, I’d say I’m used to it all to an extent.”

It is a commendable outlook from a young man who is still at the forefront of his skiing career, to take on such a role at what is a turning point for snow sports in the desert.

Between Alex and Mohamed, they have big dreams.

After building Ski Dubai effectively from the ground up, the next step is to show that they are not just making up the numbers but rather competing with the best.

“Within the UAE, we want to see more Alexes out there, in the future and also from the local communities, from the expats — everybody who lives here,” Mohamed told FIS.

“They deserve to be part of this and represent the country; we don’t just want to go and wave the flag, we want to be on the international level and competing at a high level.

“We want to be on the podium. This is the goal.”

These are big ambitions that ultimately fall on the shoulders of Alex, carrying the hopes of a nation on his young shoulders—not that he minds.

All that matters is experiencing his career to the fullest, enjoying the competitions and races but, more importantly, everything in between.

“I want to be able to finish my career with no regrets,” he expressed.

“I want to say that I’ve done everything that I want to do and that there was never a moment where I took [it for granted].

“I want to appreciate everything and enjoy every moment of it.”

With #SnowStories, FIS sheds a light on the thousands of characters, across all levels and around the whole world, that are the true beating heart of snow sports.