Alpine skiing is not just a popular activity among guests of ski resorts, it's also a very popular winter sport.

One of the most popular names in the sport is none other than Lindsey Vonn, who recently became the oldest female alpine ski racer to score a World Cup podium finish at the age of 40.

Here are 10 other interesting facts about Lindsey Vonn that you probably didn't know.

1. She Began Skiing at the Age of 2

Vonn's father, Alan Kildow, is a competitive skier himself and actually put his daughter in a pair of skis at the very young age of two. However, she did not start racing until the equally young age of seven.

2. She Made History at the Age of 14

Vonn was only 14 years old when she competed at Trofeo Topolino in Italy, where she ended up winning gold. She was the first American alpine ski racer to achieve this honor.

3. She Is a Four-time Olympian

Vonn has participated in the Olympics four times throughout her career. Her first Olympic stint happened in Salt Lake City in 2002, and this was followed by the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. Her third appearance took place during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, where she won gold. Her latest participation was in the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.

4. She Made Olympics History in 2010

Speaking of the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vonn made history with her victory as she became the first American woman to win a gold medal in the downhill. Aside from the gold, she also picked up a bronze in the super-G (super giant slalom).

5. She Wants to Become an Olympian One More Time

Despite competing in the Olympics for a fourth time, Vonn wants one more shot at winning another medal before she retires for good. The 40-year-old has expressed her desire to be part of the US Olympic team competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics, which will be held in Italy.

Lindsey Vonn
Lindsey Vonn of Team United States competes in the women's Super-G during the STIFEL FIS World Cup Finals at Sun Valley Resort on March 23, 2025 in Sun Valley, Idaho. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

6. She Would Have Been a Veterinarian If She Wasn't a Professional Athlete

The alpine ski racer has a great love for animals. In fact, if she hadn't become a professional athlete, she would have chosen to be a veterinarian instead, according to her interview with ESPN.

7. She Looked Up to Picabo Street Growing Up

In the same ESPN interview, Vonn provided Picabo Street's name when asked who she looked up to growing up. Street is a fellow alpine ski racer who won the gold at the 1998 Winter Olympics, which was held in Japan.

8. Her Initial Retirement in 2019 Made Her Depression Worse

Vonn has been open with her battle with depression, revealing things got worse for her when she first retired in 2019.

"Everyone thought that because I was successful in the mountain I was always happy and had this perfect life and that's not true," she said in a "TODAY" show appearance.

9. She Has Written a Book

In 2022, Vonn released a book, adding it to her list of achievements. Titled "Rise: My Story," the athlete provides details about her life, career, and her battle with depression.

10. Vonn is Her Ex-Husband's Surname

The alpine ski racer was born Lindsey Caroline Kildow, and she became Lindsey Vonn upon her marriage to ex-husband Thomas Vonn, also a competitive skier. While their divorce was finalized in 2013, Lindsey chose to keep her ex's surname as she has already been popularly known as Lindsey Vonn by then.