Dave Ryding, better known to ski fans as The Rocket, has announced he will hang up his race skis at the end of the 2025-26 season. And with that, Britain’s greatest-ever alpine skier is getting ready to launch himself down the icy slalom courses of the World Cup one last time.

A Career Built on Grit, Dry Slopes and Determination

Unlike most of his rivals who grew up on snowy Alpine slopes, Dave Ryding‘s skiing roots began rather more humbly. His first turns were made on the dry slope in Pendle, Lancashire at just six years old. It wasn’t until his teenage years that he spent significant time on snow. By skiing standards, his progress to the top tier was nothing short of miraculous.

Ryding first broke into the World Cup points in his mid-20s and kept grinding away in the unforgiving world of elite slalom racing. His persistence paid off spectacularly in 2017 with a silver medal at Kitzbühel, but the true fairytale moment came in 2022, when he won gold on the legendary Austrian course. It was a historic first World Cup victory for Britain and a moment that cemented his name in ski racing folklore.

Going Out On Top — On His Terms

At 38, Ryding remains at the sharp end of the World Cup standings. He finished sixth at this year’s World Championships, Britain’s best men’s result since 1934. He also stood on the podium again as recently as December 2023 with a bronze medal in Madonna di Campiglio, proving that age is just a number when you’re fuelled by northern grit.

But Ryding has decided that the time is right to step away after the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, which will be his fifth and final Games. “Everything feels right now to draw a line after the Olympics while my body’s good,” he told BBC Sport. “I still feel I can go all in. I sit here with no niggles, no pains in my body, which is really rare in skiing.”

And that, right there, is classic Dave. No excuses, no drama, just the same laser focus that carried him from a Lancashire dry slope to the top of world ski racing.

A Legacy That Goes Beyond the Podium

Ryding’s impact on British skiing reaches far beyond his race results. For the next generation of young British skiers, seeing one of their own regularly in the top 10 and standing on podiums has made the unthinkable suddenly seem possible.

“Hearing kids talk normally about World Cup podiums, it almost makes me laugh, because this is nuts,” said Ryding. “The belief that I’ve given to the next generation, I absolutely see it, and I’m really excited to see what that becomes for the next 20 years.”

British slalom teammates Billy Major and Laurie Taylor will continue to carry the torch after Ryding bows out. They’ve got big boots to fill, but thanks to The Rocket, they’ve got a much clearer path to follow.

Britain’s Alpine Golden Era?

While British skiing has always punched above its weight in freestyle disciplines and in snowboard cross, Ryding has been the lone trailblazer in alpine racing. But the infrastructure around the GB Alpine team is now better than it has ever been, with younger skiers coming through inspired by Ryding’s career.

With improved coaching, better funding, and world-class role models, British skiing might just be on the cusp of something special. And no one has done more to pave the way than Dave Ryding.

One Last Rocket Launch

Before that well-earned retirement, there’s still one last season of slalom thrills to enjoy. And don’t bet against The Rocket adding one or two more podiums to his CV before he signs off.

For British ski fans, the 2025-26 season and Milan-Cortina will be an emotional farewell to a legend who defied geography, snow cover and convention to stand among the best in the world.