Dave Ryding: The Quiet Determination that Changed British Ski Racing

Dave Ryding is one of the most remarkable underdog stories the World Cup has ever seen. Hailing from Lancashire, far from the iconic snowy peaks of the Alps, Dave didn’t even ski on snow until the age of 12. Instead, his journey began on a dry slope, armed with nothing but grit, resilience, and a refusal to give up. In this episode of Alpine Pulse, host Nick Fellows sits down with Dave to explore how an unlikely beginning led to the ultimate breakthrough - becoming the only British skier ever to win an Alpine World Cup race in Kitzbühel. From family road trips and innovative coaching to the challenges of self-funded seasons, Dave shares the highs and lows that defined his path. Drawing inspiration from British sporting legends while carving out his own chapter in history, he didn’t just win a race—he changed the perception of alpine skiing in the United Kingdom. He proved that a skier raised on plastic slopes could conquer Kitzbühel, reshaping what young British athletes believe is possible. Today, his mission goes beyond results. Dave continues to push boundaries with the goal of showing that the impossible can, in fact, become possible - on snow, on plastic, and far beyond the mountains. Alpine Pulse is a FIS Originals production by FIS – International Ski and Snowboard Federation in cooperation with Maniac Studios.