Apr 25, 2025 - When you think of skiing, snow-covered mountains and slopes steeped in Alpine heritage often come to mind. However, in the United States, three siblings are rewriting expectations and redefining what it means to be a skier.
Despite being born and raised in North America, these triplets made the decision to represent Jamaica in Alpine Skiing as a way of honouring their mother’s heritage. With steely determination and a deep-rooted sense of identity, the trio is creating an avalanche of change.
Henniyah, Helaina, and Henri IV were introduced to skiing by their father, Henri Rivers, whose relentless work over the decades has grown the sport, particularly within the Black community. Beyond parenthood, he also trains the triplets.
“We all love being together, especially skiing together,” Henniyah told FIS in an exclusive interview.
“Our mom also skis, so we’re always together, travelling to different places… Being able to ski really means a lot to us because our dad introduced us to this sport.
“Being able to continue skiing with him makes him happy, and it makes us excited to be on the snow.”
It goes without saying that these siblings expect a lot from each other and themselves. Being on this journey side by side makes it all the more motivating.
Training and competing as siblings, together, [is something] I hold very dear to me because without them, a lot of my motivation goes away.Henri Rivers IV (JAM)
“We push each other, and we support each other; I feel like they inspire me to chase my dreams.
“It makes everything worthwhile when I’m skiing with them.”
Despite being only 17, it’s clear that these three are carving out a trail for others to follow. One built on challenging the skiing status quo and encouraging change and inclusivity.
Leaving a global legacy
What the siblings do on the snow will always matter to them, but the legacy they intend on leaving behind is what will truly cement their status in skiing.
When they’re not gearing up to hit the slopes, the three of them are very different. Henniyah describes herself as a cheerful person who values both her friendships and moments of self-reflection. Helaina similarly likes to be in the company of those closest to her, while also making time to give back to the community. Henri, meanwhile, is a self-proclaimed indoors person whose downtime consists of playing video games and shooting hoops.
By all accounts, they are their own people with individual interests, motivations, and personalities. But what ties them together is their shared desire leave a lasting imprint in the snow.
As three young Black athletes, the significance of being on the global stage isn’t lost on them.
“It is very inspiring and heartwarming to be able to do this and meet the younger generations; the young Black athletes who want to be outside and get involved in snow sports,” said Helaina.
“I also just love what [we] do – representing the Black community in snow sports is really important to me because there are not many in this sport,” added Henniyah.
Being able to do this means that more Black people will join the community and be involved and do whatever they want to do.Henniyah Rivers (JAM)
Where the triplets are perhaps humble about representing their community with the eyes of the world on them, dad Henri is quick to step in and amplify the impact of what they are doing.
Expressing pride in his talented teenagers, he tells FIS: “I think what they didn’t really tell you is that they know in their core what they’re doing is going to have a great impact on snow sports on a global level.
“What they’re going to do by being at the 2026 Olympics is give global awareness of Black athletes – they understand that, and I believe that’s a big motivator for them as well.”
Olympic dreams
To compete at the Olympic Games is one of the highest honors for any athlete, regardless of discipline. But doing it alongside your siblings? For the Rivers triplets, that’s the dream.
Henri and Henniyah have had a taste of what to expect, competing in the Youth Olympics last year, which Helaina missed out on through injury, but there’s an acceptance that Milano-Cortina 2026 will be something special.
“Competing at the Winter Olympics will be a dream come true,” said Henri IV.
“Travelling with my family, all of us this time, will mean a lot [and] to see my parents' face when I cross the finish line… I’ll be the happiest person on earth when that happens.”
The collective decision to represent Jamaica – an ode to their mother’s history – adds another level of importance to what they do on skis.
The support from the Jamaican Ski Federation (JSF) has been particularly significant to the trio, with Helaina stating: “It is great knowing that we have a big support system and we can reach out when we need help; being able to have them support us through this journey is amazing.”
Given their determination to make real change, it is perhaps fitting that the theme of the upcoming Games is ‘dreaming together’, something these three are well-versed in. For each, their ultimate dream in life mirrors the others’: to compete together, to break down barriers, and to make history by each other’s side.
“If you’re together, you can overcome barriers one step at a time… support and love goes all the way,” Henniyah begins.
Helaina follows, adding: “When we do this, it will be great to just be with one another and start this journey.”
The spotlight then falls on Henri IV, who encapsulates the spirit of their journey.
“The ultimate dream is to inspire others and make history,” he said.
“It’s to leave a legacy that goes beyond skiing. I want to be remembered for breaking barriers."
We’ll be the ones who inspired people to go out and ski. That’s something you can’t replicate.Henri Rivers IV (JAM)
It is a story that transcends generations, carrying the torch lit by their father years ago. Now it’s their turn to take to the slopes and shape the future of this sport into something that belongs to everyone.
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.
