Dan Lever
Jun, 12 - 2025 - 4 mins
Dave Ryding Announces Retirement: One Last Push for the Olympics
British alpine skiing legend Dave Ryding has announced that the upcoming 2025/26 World Cup season will be his last. In an emotional statement shared on Instagram, the 38-year-old slalom star confirmed his retirement from competitive skiing following a remarkable 15-year career.
He also revealed his intention to go all-in for one final goal: the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics - a potential fifth Olympic appearance and fitting end to a career that has inspired a generation of British snowsports fans.
Ryding shared the following message via an Instagram post:
“If you’d have told me at 23 that I’d still be doing this at nearly 40, I don’t think I’d have quite believed you. But here we are — and after 15 incredible years on the World Cup circuit, seven podiums, one victory, and the honour of flying the flag for Great Britain, I’ve decided this will be my last season on the slopes. I’ve never lost the determination to be the best skier I can be, and I still feel that fire burning inside me. To my family, coaches, sponsors, federation, and every single fan who’s ever cheered me on — thank you for always having my back. It’s been the privilege of a lifetime. Let’s make this final push one to remember. See you out there.”
From Dry Slopes to the World Stage
Ryding’s journey is among the most improbable in modern alpine skiing. Born in Bretherton, Lancashire, he began skiing on a dry artificial slope at Pendle Ski Club — far from the icy runs of the Alps or Rockies. Unlike many international stars who grow up racing on snow from a young age, Ryding didn’t start training seriously abroad until his twenties.
His background gave him a unique grit and work ethic. He supported himself by working in his parents’ café while funding early race trips. Over time, he built a full-time training base in Austria and began making his mark on the international circuit.
He made his World Cup debut in 2009 at the relatively late age of 23 and slowly, persistently climbed the rankings.
Career Highlights
The defining moment of Ryding’s career came in January 2022, when he made history by winning the Kitzbühel slalom, becoming the first British skier to win an Alpine World Cup race. The win stunned the ski racing world and catapulted him into national sporting headlines. At 35 years old, he also became the oldest skier ever to win a World Cup slalom.
That victory was the pinnacle of a career that saw Ryding notch seven World Cup podiums, with additional top-three finishes in prestigious events such as Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Madonna di Campiglio, Adelboden, and Oslo. He also claimed eight British national slalom titles and won the Europa Cup slalom title in 2013 — the first Brit to ever do so.
Most recently, Ryding finished sixth at the 2025 World Championships in Saalbach — the best result for a British male skier at a World Championships since 1934.
One Final Olympic Push
Ryding has represented Team GB at four Olympic Games — Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014, PyeongChang 2018, and Beijing 2022 — with a best finish of ninth in slalom in 2018. At the Beijing Games, he also had the honour of being Team GB’s opening ceremony flagbearer, a role he shared with curler Eve Muirhead.
Now, as he prepares for his final season, Ryding has one goal left in mind: qualifying for a fifth Olympic Games. Speaking to The Independent, he explained that retirement felt like the right moment, but the fire to finish strong is still burning.
“It was quite a natural decision… Let’s draw a line there and go absolutely all in again. And then come the Olympics, try to do my best ever performance.” Ryding isn’t chasing medals — he’s chasing a fitting farewell. Earning a spot at Cortina 2026 would complete one of the most compelling narratives in British Olympic history.
Legacy: Grit, Union Jacks, and a New Era for British Skiing
Ryding’s legacy goes far beyond podiums and race results. His impact has been cultural. In the years since his rise, the presence of Union Jack flags at World Cup events has grown dramatically. At races like Wengen, Adelboden, Schladming and, of course, Kitzbühel, British fans now travel in greater numbers, many inspired directly by Ryding’s story.
Where alpine skiing was once considered beyond Britain’s reach, Ryding proved otherwise. His journey has ignited enthusiasm across grassroots skiing clubs, dry slopes, and GB Snowsport's youth programmes.
Even when UK Sport cut alpine ski funding in 2023, Ryding fought on. He and his teammates turned to crowdfunding to support their campaigns and in true style, Ryding responded with another podium in Madonna di Campiglio. His consistency in the face of adversity made him not only an elite athlete but a role model for resilience.
The Final Chapter
As Ryding enters the 2025/26 season, every gate he attacks will carry the weight of 15 years of dedication and the hopes of fans who’ve followed him since the beginning. While medals and rankings will always matter, his story has already secured a place in the history of British sport.
And if Cortina 2026 becomes his final Olympic race, it will be a farewell fitting of the man who dragged British skiing to world-class status through pure detemrination and hard work.
Thank You, Dave
From all of us at Snomad, thank you, Dave. Thank you for the belief. Thank you for the history-making moments. Thank you for flying the flag and proving it belonged.
Enjoy every turn of this final season and we can't wait to follow along and cheer you on!
