The Accidental Olympian: Ted Ligety's Journey From Park City Kid to World Champion | Guiding You Forward

When Chase Christensen sat down with Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion Ted Ligety, he had no idea it would end up as one of his favorite conversations yet.

Ted brings the same energy to the Mountain America Credit Union Guiding You Forward podcast studio that made him a dominant force in alpine skiing—relaxed but focused, passionate about the sport and eager to share what he’s learned both on and off the mountain. It’s the kind of conversation that reminds you why some athletes transcend their sport and become genuinely compelling people to talk to.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why the inside perspective makes a difference.
• How competition found Ted instead of the other way around.
• The mental game that put him at the top of the podium.

When the 2026 Winter Olympics kick off in Milan, Ted will be back behind the microphone for his second run at calling the Games. For someone who still lives and breathes the sport, it’s the perfect vantage point. “I still know most athletes,” he says. “It’s kind of fun to share that inside perspective with viewers who don’t have access to that.” In this conversation, Ted breaks down what he’s watching for in this Olympic cycle, why commentating gives him some of the same feelings as racing, and what it’s like to call races from the other side of the finish line.

Ted’s path to Olympic gold didn’t start with podium dreams—it started with friends and plenty of fresh powder. Growing up in Park City, Utah, he was on skis by age 2. “My parents like to joke that the mountains were my babysitter,” he says. By 5 or 6, he was enrolled in local ski programs at Deer Valley and Park City—more for companionship than ambition. “Most of my best friends I still have to this day are kids I started skiing with in those programs.” Racing came later, almost by accident. He thought he was just having fun but eventually realized he loved going fast—and he was really good at it! “I’m very competitive,” Ted admits with a smile, an understatement for someone who went on to dominate the World Cup circuit as a young man.

Ted wasn’t supposed to win gold at his first Olympics in 2006. He wasn’t even considered a favorite going into the qualifying rounds. But he had a breakout year, made the team and arrived in Torino with nothing to lose. This mindset was his secret weapon. “I have to think of just going out there and skiing,” he says. “If I do well, awesome. If I don’t, at least I was in a position to do it.” Race by race, he climbed in the standings and realized he had a real shot at a medal. That’s when the nerves hit. So, he did the only thing that made sense—stopped thinking about the medals entirely and focused on the gates in front of him. It worked. He won gold. Hearing Ted walk us through those final runs—the mental game, the pressure, the moment it all clicked—is one of the most compelling parts of this conversation.

Fair warning: Listening to Ted talk about carving down mountains at 70 miles per hour might make your daily commute feel a little less thrilling. Watch the full video and brush up on your giant slalom techniques!