Jessie Diggins is the most decorated cross-country skier in American history and a transformative figure in the sport. She rose to international prominence at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, where her stunning, come-from-behind sprint secured the first-ever Olympic gold medal for the U.S. Women’s Cross-Country Team. Her electrifying finish and upbeat leadership earned her selection by fellow Olympians to carry the U.S. flag at the Closing Ceremony.
Since then, Diggins has continued to break barriers. She became the first American to win the Tour de Ski and has twice claimed both the Overall and Distance World Cup titles, most recently in 2024. A three-time Olympian, she added silver and bronze medals at the 2022 Games, becoming the most decorated U.S. cross-country skier. In 2023, she made history again as the first American to win an individual World Championship title. She now holds 21 World Cup victories, 60 podiums, and six World Championship medals.
Born in, Minnesota, Diggins grew up immersed in outdoor adventure and began skiing as a toddler riding in her father’s backpack. Throughout her career she has spent endless time exploring the outdoors and developing the relentless grit and her trademark “pain cave” mentality that defines her racing. She also spent formative training years in New England, where she lived, trained, and raced extensively with the Stratton Mountain School Elite Team in Vermont, deepening her ties to the region’s vibrant ski community.
Off the snow, Diggins is an author, advocate, and community leader. Her memoir, Brave Enough, candidly details her recovery from bulimia, offering hope to others facing eating disorders. She is also a committed environmental advocate, working with Protect Our Winters, Share Winter Foundation, and Save the Boundary Waters, and dedicates significant time to mentoring young skiers and giving back to the sport she loves.