Despite spending her legendary career conquering icy slopes and freezing temperatures, Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn has long admitted that she despises the cold. The Minnesota native, who began skiing at age three and rose to become one of the greatest alpine skiers in history, recently highlighted her preference for warmth in a fresh revelation, explaining why she traded winter weather for the sunny shores of Miami.
Vonn, a four-time World Cup overall champion and 2010 Olympic downhill gold medalist, has been open about her aversion to cold for years. In various interviews dating back to her retirement in 2019, she described herself as “not a cold weather person” and joked that she’s “finally thawing out” in Florida’s balmy climate.
Here she is embracing the snowy slopes that made her famous:
The irony isn’t lost on fans — Vonn dominated in sub-zero conditions, racking up 82 World Cup victories (a women’s record at the time) and multiple world championships, all while secretly preferring heat over frost. “I really don’t like the cold at all,” she once shared, adding that she’d much rather be too hot than too cold.
After stepping away from full-time competition, Vonn relocated to Miami, purchasing a stunning waterfront home and fully embracing the Sunshine State’s year-round warmth. She has repeatedly praised the lifestyle, noting how the heat has become her happy place — even if 75 degrees now feels chilly after full adaptation.
And here’s Vonn enjoying her preferred sunny, beachside vibe in Miami:
Interestingly, Vonn’s story has come full circle: After a surprise comeback announcement, she qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina at age 41, proving her enduring passion for the sport overrides any personal discomfort with the cold. Yet her confession underscores a relatable truth — even the toughest athletes have their limits when it comes to weather.
For Vonn, success on the slopes was about performance and perseverance, not affection for freezing temperatures. Now thriving in Miami’s heat, the skiing legend shows that you can master the mountains without ever loving the chill.
