And she’s been rolling ever since. Not only did she prove herself to be one of the region’s top skiers in her first two competitions, she also earned herself a spot on Team Canada at the World University Games. She leaves for Turkey today and will spend the next two weeks in competition.

“I’m really excited that I get to represent my country,” she said. “Hopefully I can pass my classes though.”

Both Gray and Mitchell attribute Nadler’s success to her work ethic and focus.

“She has a tremendous work ethic,” Gray said. “She understands both on and off the hill the work that needs to go in...She operates at a very high professional level.”

“She is one of the most professional athletes I have coached in terms of her commitment,” Mitchell said. “She inspects each course...She’s extremely dedicated and the results bear that out so far.”

Nadler’s tireless work ethic has allowed her to overcome her small size. Barely over five feet, Nadler does not have the typical build of an alpine skier, but she makes up for it with fitness and nearly flawless technique.

“She’s extremely strong for her size,” Mitchell said. “She really doesn’t make mistakes. She stays very very centered in her skis. She doesn’t get moved. It makes her a really great college skier...She’s got her technique really dialed in. She’s only got one or two things going through her head when she skis. That nice, simple focus allows her to really clear her head.”

But for Nadler, the key to her success has been her sheer love of the sport.

“I’m having a ton of fun with the ski team,” she said. “I always ski better when I’m having fun...I’m having more fun skiing this year than I ever have.”

—Staff writer Christina C. McClintock can be reached at ccmcclin@fas.harvard.edu.