Norwegian Ski Racer Aleksander Aamodt Kilde Returns to Race Training More Than 18 Months After Horrible Crash

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, Norway’s revered alpine racer, has made a hopeful return to on-snow training for the first time since a serious crash and subsequent health complications sidelined him.

The fiancé of American ski racer Mikaela Shiffrin shared snaps from his training session at Galdhøpiggen Summer Ski Center in Norway—the highest summer ski area in Scandinavia—sparking excitement among fans and fellow ski racers. Shiffrin was among the first commenters, sharing a fire emoji in the comment section.

• Related: Aleksander Aamodt Kilde Shares Update & Shocking Pictures After Lauberhorn Crash

This comeback comes after a drawn-out recovery following a devastating crash during the Lauberhorn World Cup Downhill race in Wengen, Switzerland in January 2024 that left Kilde, which resulted in a severe cut to his leg and dislocation of his left shoulder. The dislocation also severed ligaments and caused extensive damage to the athlete’s rotator cuff. His injuries initially healed well, but was later plagued with continued infections and sepsis, which were treated both in Colorado as well as Austria, where Kilde resides.

• Related: Norwegian Ski Racer Aleksander Aamodt Kilde Will Not Compete During the 2024-25 Season Due to Lingering Injuries

A February 2025 operation in Innsbruck successfully addressed lingering shoulder issues, repairing damage using autologous tissue, while months of rest and antibiotics took a toll on his fitness level.

Last month, Kilde was also spotted training on indoor snow at SNØ in Oslo, marking another step in his comeback journey.

Situated atop Scandinavia’s highest mountain, Galdhøpiggen, which reaches 8,098 feet (2,469 meters) above sea level, the Galdhøpiggen Summer Ski Center is a popular training location for the Norwegian national alpine team. The summer-only ski resort, which is also known as ‘Juvass,’ provides skiers with a skiable area spanning over 3.1 miles (5 kilometers) of groomed slopes from 6,069 feet (1,850 meters) at Juvbreen to an altitude of 7,368 feet (2,246 meters) making it the highest ski area in Scandinavia. The Summer Ski Center is located on a glacier, and the T-bar ski lift is secured to the ice, which is in constant movement down towards Juvvatnet.

Kilde’s comeback to race training on Galdhøpiggen’s summer ski area represents more than physical recovery—it signals the return of a World Cup standout to seasonal training. As summer turns to winter, all eyes will be on whether he can regain his elite form in time for the new season.