Industry News
Professional big mountain skier John Collinson has announced on Instagram that he has suffered yet another ACL tear—his fourth major knee injury in eight years. The crash, which occurred on March 14, adds to a long list of injuries for the 32-year-old athlete, who has already undergone six knee surgeries during his career.
Collinson, who became the youngest person to climb the Seven Summits at age 17 and has since starred in films by Teton Gravity Research and Red Bull, is no stranger to adversity. His latest injury affects his right knee, which has previously endured two ACL reconstructions. The left knee, which he once described as having “exploded,” has also seen its share of trauma.
“On March 14 I crashed skiing and tore my ACL. This injury is to my right leg that has had two previous ACL reconstructions – my left was the leg that exploded. If you’re keeping track, this is the fourth acute knee injury and will be the seventh knee surgery in eight years.”
– John Collinson Instagram Post
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Despite the setback, Collinson remains upbeat. Years of rigorous training and rehabilitation have instilled a resilience that he credits for his continued ability to live pain-free between injuries. “I know the process and work involved to regain knee function,” he shared, emphasizing his commitment to focusing on what he can accomplish rather than what he cannot.
Collinson’s approach to recovery is rooted in adaptability. “The game plan had to change, but that’s why we have plans B-Z to fall back on,” he said. He also expressed gratitude for his community—family, friends, sponsors, and medical professionals—who have supported him through each setback.
Looking ahead, Collinson plans to document his rehabilitation journey through a new YouTube series, beginning with practical advice on navigating the medical system after injury. His openness about the challenges of recovery and his refusal to dwell on misfortune have made him a model of perseverance in the skiing world.
John Collinson is a professional big mountain skier and mountaineer from Utah, recognized as one of his sport’s most versatile and progressive athletes. At just 17, he became the youngest person to climb the Seven Summits—the highest peak on each continent—and skied down three of them, including Denali, Elbrus, and Vinson Massif. Collinson won the 2010 Junior Freeskiing Tour overall title, landed on podiums at major events like Red Bull Cold Rush and the Freeskiing World Tour, and prominently featured in ski films by Teton Gravity Research and Sherpas Cinema. Raised at the base of Snowbird and Alta, Collinson’s upbringing immersed him in mountain life from an early age, shaping him into one of the most recognizable faces in big mountain skiing today.
