Aleksander Aamodt Kilde attending Kitzbühel 2025: GEPA pictures
Excited, Yet Uncertain Aleksander Aamodt Kilde: “I’m Not the Same Athlete That I Was Before”
Aleksander Aamodt Kilde is nearing his race comeback after suffering serious injuries in January 2024. This week, he returns to Colorado, U.S., to train downhill with the Norwegian national team in cooperation with the U.S. team. His goal: to race the Birds of Prey World Cup downhill and super-G in a month’s time.
On Tuesday, he shared his excitement, concerns, and reasons for feeling optimistic about training and racing again in Copper Mountain and Beaver Creek, Colorado.
“I’m not the same athlete that I was before,” Aleksander Aamodt Kilde said during an online press meeting on Nov. 4, 2025. “One day, I’m hopefully going to be able to say that I’m the same, but right now, I need to adjust into the volume, what my shoulder can hold, and what my body can hold in general.”
Aamodt Kilde will travel from his home in Innsbruck, Austria, to Colorado this week, where he will train in Copper Mountain, known for reliable early-season conditions and full-length downhill courses. Such training is rare and vital for the world’s top speed racers at this time of year.
A Grueling Road Back
The Norwegian downhill and super-G star sustained life-altering injuries during a crash into the safety nets just before the finish line of the Lauberhorn downhill in Wengen, Switzerland, in January 2024.
His ski cut deeply into his leg, causing major blood loss and severe nerve damage that required urgent surgery. He also dislocated his shoulder, tore ligaments, and suffered nerve damage there as well.
The shoulder became the greater challenge. Multiple infections, repeated surgeries, and heavy antibiotic treatments forced him to restart his rehabilitation several times.
His shoulder will never heal completely, according to Aleksander Aamodt Kilde.
“I’ve been in my deepest, darkest place in my life the last 20 months. Especially in the beginning. You’re not only losing your job, you’re losing purpose,” Aleksander Aamodt Kilde said Tuesday.
During the first few weeks after the accident, he told his parents he didn’t think he would ever ski race again.
“Because of the physique around it, but also, I didn’t really want to. I didn’t want to think about doing it again,” he shared.
Can His Body Still Handle the Risk?
Now, Aamodt Kilde feels excited about returning to high-level downhill training and—hopefully—World Cup racing. Yet, he acknowledges that uncertainty remains, and he must move forward step by step, continually evaluating his health, abilities, and progress.
His shoulder’s limited range of motion is a major question mark. Balance and stability—essential to downhill and super-G—will depend on how his body reacts under pressure.
“Before, it was never a question of limitation of my movement. Now, that’s a big question,” he said. “I need to adapt to what I can do and what I can’t. I need to be able to work my way into the movements in a different way than what I’m used to. And then we’ll see if that’s good enough to be fast.
But first of all, I need to figure out if it is safe.”
He laughed gently when saying it, acknowledging that safety must come before speed.
“If I have the balance, if I have the movement, if everything is running the way I want—that’s going to be the biggest question when going to Copper now. To actually see if I can handle those moments where I’m out of balance, where I have to save myself.”
Cautiously Optimistic
Still, the winner of the 2020 World Cup overall title, two downhill globes (2023, 2022), and two super-G globes (2022, 2016) remains upbeat.
“I think the next month is going to be very interesting—with training in Copper Mountain, where I have experienced good training before.
I’m just very curious about the next steps and how things will run. I’m in good shape, physically and mentally, and feeling ready to get into the competition part of things—not just returning to snow,” he said cheerfully.
Back on Long Skis
While training in Copper Mountain, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde hopes to finally train full downhill again.
“Proper downhill—that’s what I’m searching for,” he said.
After months of specialized rehab work, he plans to follow the full team program, explaining:
“Trying to just hang on, and if it’s tougher trainings, then keep on doing them.”
Still, he knows he must balance intensity with caution.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had this type of load, so I need to be flexible and communicate with my coaches. Things are running smoothly, but it’s easy to get blind when you think about everything you used to be able to do.
Hopefully, I’ll be able to ski as much as I want—get as much time on the long skis as possible, do some jumping and high speeds. That’s probably key number one for the next steps.”
Beaver Creek: A Homecoming
Aamodt Kilde hopes to make his racing return in Beaver Creek, Colorado, in early December. The venue holds special meaning.
“I think the whole package from Beaver Creek—and I have good history from there. Actually, the last four times I’ve raced there, I have won, so I have good memories.
Also, it’s a good place to start, with good snow. I know the hill really well, and it’s my second home—so why not there? It’s a good start to the season. I’m very excited!”
The greatest challenge, he said, will be finding rhythm and regaining full-speed confidence.
“Trying to find the flow, work with the jumps, being in rhythm—that’s going to be the most challenging for me to begin with. And also, to feel the speed again at that level. That’s going to be very, very exciting,” he added with a smile.
Finding Joy Again
As much as Aamodt Kilde would love to return to the top of the podium, he plays down expectations and instead focuses on small victories.
“I know I’ve been fast before, which will help me in the process. But this year, getting back in the start gate is the first thing that is a success.”
He reflected on how far he has come since his injury in January 2024:
“I’ve had good days and bad days. The bad days were about the physical part—when I’ve been limited, especially with my shoulder. That’s been tough to handle.
But now, looking back, it’s kind of cool to see the progress, and that’s something that’s hard to find when you’re a top athlete. The margins are so small.
But now, I was in a wheelchair—and in 30 days, hopefully, I’ll be back skiing full downhill. That is amazing to me!”
When asked what would feel most rewarding once he’s racing again, his answer was pure Aleksander Aamodt Kilde—rooted in passion for the mountain:
“Just being allowed to run a full downhill—from the top of the mountain to the bottom—is going to be an incredible feeling.
I know how much I love that. I know how much I miss it. And if I can control that and be sort of ‘king of that mountain,’ that would be amazing. I really, really miss that feeling.”
About the Author: Bente Bjørnsen Sherlock
