[VIDEO] From Downhill King to Lift Attendant: Aleksander Aamodt Kilde Surprises Fans at Kitzbühel, Austria

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde might not be racing this weekend, but fans traveling to Kitzbühel, Austria, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Norwegian superstar still got an unexpected treat. The 30-year-old skier went incognito, donning a service vest and glasses to blend in as a lift attendant at the top of the gondola.

“Who’s your favorite ski racer?” — the visitor said Kilde and walks away, then turns around, puzzled. | Image: Screenshot Video

Most visitors walked past the dorky-looking “operator” without a second thought. Others paused, puzzled. And a few true fans weren’t fooled for a second.

Having encountered Kilde in person, I can confirm he’s hard to miss — at 5 foot 11 with legs the size of tree trunks, camouflage only goes so far.

Kilde announced earlier this week that he would not compete at the Downhill World Cup in Kitzbühel, Austria, this weekend. Scheduled for January 23-25, the Hahnenkamm race on Kitzbühel’s Streif is probably the most famous World Cup race each season. Each year, the race weekend attracts 80,000+ fans, and the winner collects double the normal prize money due to the popularity of the race.

Kilde returned to ski racing this season after a nearly two-year absence following a shocking crash on the Lauberhorn in Wengen, Switzerland, in January 2024. Kilde’s crash left him with a severe laceration to his leg and a complicated dislocation of his left shoulder, which severed ligaments and caused extensive damage to the athlete’s rotator cuff. His shoulder injuries initially healed well, but he was later plagued with continued infections and sepsis, resulting in repeat surgeries and prolonged recovery for the Norwegian athlete, resulting in a 22-month absence from the World Cup. Kilde has been one of the most dominant speed men on the World Cup circuit, securing the 2022-23 Downhill Crystal Globe and leading the standings in the 2023-24 season prior to his crash.

The Norwegian ski racer celebrated his return to the World Cup circuit in November last year at the Super-G in Copper Mountain, Colorado. He has, however, skipped several Downhill races this season, admitting his physical fitness is not where it needs to be yet. Since the crash two years ago, Kilde has been very aware of his limitations and has approached his return to ski racing with a balanced approach, only racing when he feels 100%.