TGR Olympic Profile: Bryce Bennet

The Olympic Games bring the world’s best to the snow, but the stories behind their runs are just as compelling as the medals they chase. Teton Gravity Research profiles the athletes who define their sports: skiers, snowboarders, and freestyle competitors pushing the limits of speed, amplitude, and creativity. From career milestones and World Cup victories to signature styles and unforgettable Olympic moments, this series gives fans an inside look at the competitors shaping the future of winter sports.

Sport: Alpine Skiing
Discipline: Downhill
Country: USA
Hometown: Tahoe City, California
Height: 6’7” (200 cm)

Bryce Bennett doesn’t blend in on the World Cup circuit. At 6’7”, he is the tallest racer in the start gate more often than not, and downhill skiing suits him because of it. Long legs, power, and a willingness to let the skis run have made Bennett a consistent threat on speed tracks where commitment matters more than style.

Downhill rewards skiers who stay calm when things get fast. Bennett is a master of letting it cook a just a little longer into corners.

Growing up in Tahoe City, Bennett was surrounded by steep terrain and a thriving ski culture. While many American racers come up through technical events, Bennett gravitated toward speed early in his career. Downhill played to his strengths, allowing him to use his size and strength to carry speed. His commitment paid off, and Bennett quickly broke through to the World Cup stage.

Bennett announced himself as a top-tier downhill racer with multiple podium finishes, highlighted by a victory at Val Gardena in Italy in 2023. "I needed to ski free and do a run that I know I’m capable of and trust myself and, yeah, it worked," Bennett said about the win. Saslong is one of the most respected and demanding downhill courses in the world, and winning there cemented Bennett’s place among the sport’s elite.

Still, the win came as an upset. The pressure remained to prove he was a true force in ski racing. Since then, Bennett has stayed a regular presence near the front of downhill fields, particularly on classic, high-speed tracks.

Bennett represented the United States at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, finishing among the top American downhillers in a race defined by firm snow and narrow margins. While he missed out on a medal, the experience makes him an even bigger threat in Milan-Cortina this year. Bennett can throw down on a one-run format.

Olympic downhill leaves little room for error. Bennett’s approach, patient but aggressive, has proven well-suited to that environment.

Bennett’s size is an advantage, but his composure is what keeps him competitive. He skis with a quiet upper body and a direct line, minimizing movement and maximizing speed. On gliding sections, where races are often decided, he is difficult to beat.

He is most dangerous when courses get fast and conditions turn firm.

Away from competition, Bennett carries a low-key demeanor. He approaches downhill racing with an understanding of its volatility, where consistency, health, and timing matter as much as raw speed.

That perspective has helped him navigate the ups and downs that come with a career in alpine speed events.

American men’s downhill has long relied on skiers willing to push speed limits on the world’s hardest tracks. Bennett fits that role naturally. He is not a technician or a showman. He is a pure downhill racer.

When conditions favor speed, Bryce Bennett is in the conversation.

Recent Form
• Consistently inside the top 15 on World Cup downhill courses this season, with several top 10 results on classic speed tracks.
• Competitive on firm and fast snow conditions, particularly in Europe’s marquee downhill events.

Past Olympic Performance
• Beijing 2022 Winter Games — Finished as the top-ranked American in the Olympic downhill event, delivering a solid result against a world class field.
• No Olympic medal yet, but a strong showing in a one-run pressure format.

Injury Updates
• Returned strongly from past season interruptions due to minor injuries typical of elite downhill racers.
• No major long-term injuries reported in the current season, maintaining full training and competition schedule.

Check Bryce out on Instagram here.