Ski Club Vail Alum Retires After 25 Years

Jacob Dilling ends career with 25th-place finish at U.S. Alpine Nationals in Vail.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:15pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a skier in motion, with sharp planes of blue, white, and gray hues conveying the dynamic movement and energy of the sport.A Cubist interpretation of a skier's final run captures the energy and artistry of a storied career on the slopes.Vail Today

Jacob Dilling, a 26-year-old alumnus of Ski and Snowboard Club Vail and the University of Colorado, has announced his retirement from competitive skiing after finishing 25th in the slalom event at the U.S. Alpine National Championships in Vail, Colorado. Dilling made over 350 FIS-level starts on the Vail slopes during his career.

Why it matters

Dilling's retirement marks the end of an era for the Ski and Snowboard Club Vail program, which has produced numerous elite-level skiers over the past decades. His performance at the U.S. Alpine Nationals showcases the high level of talent and dedication required to compete at the national level in alpine skiing.

The details

In his final competitive event, Dilling finished 25th in the slalom at the U.S. Alpine National Championships held in his home town of Vail. Over the course of his 25-year career, Dilling made over 350 FIS-level starts on the Vail slopes, establishing himself as a fixture in the local skiing community.

  • The U.S. Alpine National Championships took place on April 3, 2026 in Vail, Colorado.
  • Dilling announced his retirement following his 25th-place finish in the slalom event.

The players

Jacob Dilling

A 26-year-old alumnus of Ski and Snowboard Club Vail and the University of Colorado, who has announced his retirement from competitive skiing after a 25-year career.

Ski and Snowboard Club Vail

A prominent ski club in Vail, Colorado that has produced numerous elite-level skiers over the past decades.

University of Colorado

The university that Dilling attended, where he continued his skiing career after being part of the Ski and Snowboard Club Vail program.

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What they’re saying

“'Pretty relieved'”

— Jacob Dilling

The takeaway

Dilling's retirement from competitive skiing after a 25-year career, including over 350 FIS-level starts on the Vail slopes, marks the end of an era for the Ski and Snowboard Club Vail program. His performance at the U.S. Alpine Nationals showcases the high level of talent and dedication required to compete at the national level in alpine skiing.