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As the 2024/25 ski season approaches, U.S. Ski Team athletes are wrapping up their preseason training in preparation for the World Cup circuit. Among them is 22-year-old Novie McCabe (USA) from Winthrop, Washington, whose approach to training emphasizes precision and sustainability.
“I’m just trying to stack years on top of each other,” McCabe explains, reflecting on her long-term strategy as an elite skier. This year, however, she has shifted her focus. “I’ve put more focus on quality and being intentional with each session.”
This deliberate approach reflects her desire to make every workout meaningful. “I’m trying to bring more intention to each session, making sure every workout serves a purpose. It’s subtle. You wouldn’t be able to tell by watching me ski, but it’s on my mind,” she explains. By prioritizing quality over quantity, McCabe aims to sustain her growth while maintaining the consistency required for success at the international level.
The U.S. squad has set ambitious collective goals for the season, including a push for a top-three finish in the Nations Cup standings. “A top-three in the Nations Cup would mean a lot to us as a team,” McCabe says. “Every point counts, especially near the end of the season, and having that goal keeps us all focused.”
McCabe, who debuted on the national circuit in 2019 and represented the United States at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, brings valuable experience to the team. Her journey reflects steady progress, built on intentionality and a commitment to refining her craft.
While training remains her priority, McCabe has found ways to create balance in her life. Having completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Utah, she is now pursuing a master’s degree in Environmental Policy. “I’ve learned that it’s important to keep a little separation between skiing and life,” she says. “It was a tough summer, but finding things outside of training—like school and baking—helped me keep perspective.”
Baking has become a creative outlet for McCabe, offering a counterbalance to the high-pressure environment of elite competition. “I know I need that balance to keep skiing sustainable for the long term,” she reflects.
Next, McCabe is headed to Finland on Nov 19th to join her teammates for final on-snow preparations ahead of the World Cup opener. The trip will provide valuable opportunities to sharpen her skills and adjust to the demands of racing. Along the way, she keeps the energy high by curating playlists, a ritual that adds fun and motivation to her workouts and downtime.
“The support of the team has been so important during this preseason,” McCabe says. “We’re all pushing to be the best we can be. And with the support of the team, I think we’re setting ourselves up for a really strong year.”
From her early days skiing in the Methow Valley to her role on the U.S. Ski Team, McCabe has steadily built on her strengths. With the World Cup season ahead, she is ready to translate her preseason work into results, aiming to make an impact as a key member of the A Team.
Katie Bradish
Katie Bradish is an Idaho Panhandle dweller, winter sports junkie, and Fischer Nordic Ambassador. Between pushing strollers, dodging spilled applesauce, and nightly readings of Goodnight Moon for the tiny humans who call her Mom, she keeps one eye on the trails and the other on the grind, writing for the Nordic ski world and beyond—and squeezing in ski sessions whenever she can.
