Lyndsay Strange, a 2009 graduate of Skidmore College, will serve as an assistant coach for the U.S. Paralympic Alpine Ski Team at the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games in Milano Cortina, Italy. This marks her third appearance at the Winter Games, following two stints at the Olympics coaching for Team Mexico. Strange has spent the past three seasons working with para-athletes, preparing them for elite international competition.
Lyndsay Strange ’09 built her foundation in alpine ski coaching during her time at Skidmore College, where she studied environmental studies and competed on the women’s lacrosse and club ski teams. Since graduating in 2009, she has coached at the highest levels of international alpine ski racing, including two Olympic Winter Games with Team Mexico, where she supported athlete Sarah Schleper.
Now, Strange is preparing for the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games as part of the U.S. Paralympic Alpine Ski Team. Over the past three seasons, she has helped athletes across multiple alpine disciplines gear up for competitions. She attributes her coaching philosophy to Skidmore’s “Creative Thought Matters” ethos, which emphasizes adaptability in a sport with ever-changing conditions.
In an interview, Strange expressed excitement about the Paralympics as a new experience. “The Paralympics are a new experience for me. I’ve done two Olympics before with Team Mexico, where I coached my dear friend Sarah Schleper, an absolute legend,” she said. She highlighted the growing visibility of para-athletes in media and marketing, noting it adds momentum to the team.
Reflecting on her work with the 12-athlete team, Strange discussed the challenges and rewards. “Taking that all on board has taught me so much about patience and about tailoring my coaching to each individual,” she explained. Skiing’s variables require constant adaptation, but seeing athletes achieve personal bests reinforces her passion. “That’s why I’m a coach. The athletes put in so much energy, both emotional and physical. Then when it pays off, we’re all so stoked.”
Strange emphasized the similarities between Paralympic and Olympic skiing, with para-athletes competing on the same slopes in downhill, super-G, giant slalom, and slalom. Looking back, she credits her liberal arts education at Skidmore for fostering critical thinking and diverse skills, which aid her creative approach to coaching athletes with disabilities.
For current students, Strange advised pursuing passions despite pressures for traditional jobs. After a brief stint in wind power post-graduation, she returned to the mountains, a decision that opened unexpected opportunities.
