Lindsey Vonn Returns to the U.S. Ski Team—And She’s Ready to Win

Seven months after a partial knee replacement and five and a half years since announcing her retirement, 40-year-old Lindsey Vonn will return to ski racing.

Recently, the ski legend’s Instagram has been filled with hints: reels of her training in New Zealand and Sölden, Austria, accompanied by captions like, “Loving the process, no matter where it leads,” and “I don’t know exactly what lies ahead, but I know I’m healthy, happy and grateful.”

On Thursday, November 14, Vonn posted, “Well, it’s off to Colorado…. I hope the @usskiteam uniform still fits…”

The Stifel U.S. Ski Team confirmed Thursday that Vonn will rejoin the team currently training at Copper Mountain, Colo.

“Getting back to skiing without pain has been an incredible journey,” Vonn said in the press release. “I am looking forward to being back with the Stifel U.S. Ski Team and to continue to share my knowledge of the sport with these incredible women.”

Before her family moved to Vail, Colo., Vonn grew up skiing at Buck Hill, Minn., to support her ski racing dreams. She made her World Cup debut at 16, eventually tallying 82 World Cup victories and three Olympic and eight World Championship medals. Despite competing with a torn LCL and meniscus in her left knee, she concluded her career with a downhill bronze at the 2019 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Are, Sweden. Her April knee replacement has allowed her to ski pain-free for the first time in years.

“I’m excited about the future because I’m finally not in pain all the time,” Vonn said in September before being inducted into the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame. “I’ll probably need another partial on the other side or a full replacement, but it’s changed my life completely.”

Returning to ski racing means Vonn is going big. Whether she will qualify for the season’s first World Cup downhill on home turf in Beaver Creek, Colo., remains uncertain, but her U.S. teammates are eager for the possibility.

“Beaver Creek is going to be so exciting,” said Breezy Johnson at Copper Mountain. “If a certain blond comes back, I just hope she puts up some Ws.”

Former teammates and new U.S. skiers alike expressed support. Retired star Julia Mancuso, who often shared the spotlight with Vonn, posted, “wow, you’re incredible,” in response to Vonn’s announcement. Bella Wright, a U.S. team member, added, “I never got the opportunity to be Lindsey’s teammate in the past, so the opportunity to ski alongside her is extremely exciting!”

Since retiring, Vonn has run empowerment camps for young girls through the Lindsey Vonn Foundation, carried the torch for the 2024 Paris Olympics, and launched an Athlete’s Family Initiative as part of the 2034 Salt Lake City Games bid. Red Bull also recently facilitated her dream of skiing the Streif in Kitzbühel at night.

The ski world is thrilled at Vonn’s return. Milan Cortina 2026 responded to the announcement, hinting that she may compete again in the Olympics.

“Lindsey has made an indelible mark on alpine skiing,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO Sophie Goldschmidt. “Her dedication and passion for the sport are inspiring, and we’re excited to welcome her back on snow.”