The 2025-2026 FIS Ski Season Is Here: Reflections from a Former U.S. Ski Team Doctor
Insights from Dr. William Sterett, Knee & Shoulder Specialist at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery
The start of the 2025-2026 FIS World Cup season signals more than just another winter, it marks the road to the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. For skiers and fans alike, it’s an exciting time filled with anticipation, training, and world-class performances on snow.
For Dr. William Sterett, this time of year always brings back memories. As a former U.S. Ski Team physician, he traveled the globe with some of the fastest athletes on earth, helping them recover, perform, and push the limits of the sport. Today, from his clinic in Vail, Dr. Sterett shares his perspective on the season ahead, and offers a heartfelt good luck to all of the athletes competing on the road to the 2026 Olympics.
What Makes the FIS Ski Season So Special?
Each autumn, the FIS Ski Season kicks off with races across Europe and North America, challenging athletes on ice-hard surfaces, steep terrain, and unpredictable conditions.
“It’s one of the most demanding schedules in sports,” says Dr. Sterett. “You’re traveling across continents, racing in freezing weather, and asking your body to perform at its absolute limit week after week.”
This year’s schedule carries even greater weight: every race, podium, and recovery day matters as skiers build momentum toward the 2026 Olympics.
What Was It Like Being a U.S. Ski Team Doctor?
As part of the U.S. Ski Team medical staff, Dr. Sterett provided on-hill care, injury prevention, and emergency support for elite athletes during World Cup, World Championship, and Olympic events.
“Being on the hill before sunrise, traveling with the team, and watching them compete, it was an incredible experience,” he recalls. “You learn how much heart and preparation go into every run.”
Those years shaped how he approaches patient care today, combining elite-level sports medicine with compassion for every skier, whether they’re chasing medals or carving their first turns of the season.
What Are the Most Common Ski Injuries – Even for Pros?
During the FIS Ski Season, the most frequent injuries involve the knee, particularly ACL and meniscus tears, along with shoulder injuries from high-speed falls.
“These are the same injuries we saw on the World Cup circuit,” says Dr. Sterett. “The difference is the stakes; professionals rely on meticulous conditioning and rehab to return to snow as fast and safely as possible.”
At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, Dr. Sterett and his team use cutting-edge techniques to treat these injuries, helping skiers of all levels recover their strength and confidence.
How Can Recreational Skiers Prepare for Ski Season?
You don’t have to be an Olympian to train like one. Dr. Sterett recommends pre-season conditioning that focuses on core stability, leg strength, balance, and flexibility.
“Elite racers spend as much time preparing off-snow as they do on it,” he explains. “That same approach, strength, mobility, and gradual progression, keeps recreational skiers healthy and on the slopes longer.”
A Note of Good Luck
As the 2025-2026 FIS Ski Season begins, Dr. Sterett extends his admiration and best wishes to all of the athletes competing this year.
“Having been part of the U.S. Ski Team, I know how much sacrifice and dedication go into every race,” he says. “Good luck to all the skiers representing their countries, you make the sport proud every day.”
About Dr. William Sterett
Dr. William Sterett is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON) specializing in knee and shoulder injuries. A former U.S. Ski Team physician, he has treated Olympic medalists, World Cup racers, and countless mountain athletes in Eagle and Summit Counties.
Today, he continues to combine world-class sports medicine with a lifelong passion for skiing, helping patients return to the mountains stronger, safer, and ready for their next run. Contact his team today!
