Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim is known for her fearless tricks on the halfpipe, but she recently revealed a surprising beauty secret that keeps her feeling confident off the slopes. The 25‑year‑old athlete opened up to Women’s Health in January 2026 about why she wears toenail extensions — and shared “the tea” behind her unusual self‑care ritual.
The beauty secret behind the boots
Kim explained that she often loses toenails due to the physical demands of snowboarding. “I have a hard time with my toenails, because I always lose those,” she admitted. “I’m missing two toenails right now.” To keep her feet looking polished, she turns to Gel‑X toenail extensions. Despite spending most of her time bundled in snow gear and boots, Kim makes pedicures a priority. “They come out all the time,” she laughed, recalling one incident on a plane when her big toenail extension popped off unexpectedly.
Balancing wellness and performance
Beyond her beauty routine, Kim shared that her self‑care practices include smoothies, massage therapy, and regular mani‑pedis. These rituals help her maintain balance as she prepares for the 2026 Winter Games in Cortina, Italy. Her dedication to wellness complements her reputation as one of the most dominant athletes in snowboarding. Known for groundbreaking tricks like back‑to‑back 1080s and high‑flying rotations, Kim regularly soars up to 30 feet in the air during competition.
Chasing history at the Winter Games
The upcoming Olympics will mark Kim’s third appearance on the world stage. She already holds two gold medals from Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022. If she wins again in 2026, she will become the first athlete to “three‑peat” in the women’s snowboard halfpipe. In an interview with PEOPLE, Kim said she doesn’t feel pressure about making history. “I think the pressure I feel is wanting to do the best that I can and see what happens from there — but I just really want to enjoy this journey more than anything,” she explained.
Injury setback and recovery
Just weeks before the Games, Kim announced she had dislocated her shoulder during practice. Doctors later confirmed she tore the labrum, the lining that stabilizes the shoulder joint. Despite the setback, Kim reassured fans that she is “good to go” for the Olympics.
“I haven’t gotten nearly the amount of reps that I would have liked, but that’s OK,” she said, adding that she remains optimistic about competing.
A champion’s mindset
Kim’s ability to balance humor, resilience, and determination has made her a fan favorite. Whether she’s talking about toenail extensions or chasing Olympic history, she continues to inspire with her authenticity and drive.
