U.S. Ski & Snowboard Mourns the Loss of TJ Lanning
Former alpine racer for the U.S. Ski Team, Thomas “TJ” Lanning passed away earlier this week at the age of 41.
The U.S. Ski Team issued a statement on July 7, 2026, announcing Lanning’s passing and expressing their condolences to his family, friends, and children. Further information on Lanning’s cause of death has not been released.
Lanning was known by the alpine ski world as one of the most fearless and resilient racers of his generation. Born in Helena, Montana, Lanning learned to ski at an early age. His career was kick-started when he became the top-ranked junior skier in the world in slalom and super-G in 2001.
In 2007, Lanning represented Team USA at the World Championships in Ã…re, Sweden. Throughout his career, he took home three top-ten finishes for the US Ski Team, including a 9th-place finish at Lake Louise in 2008, and 10th-place finishes at Beaver Creek in 2007 and Val Gardena in 2008.
Lanning qualified for the 08/09 World Cup finals in downhill after becoming the US downhill champion in 2008. He finished the World Cup season in 25th place for downhill and 33rd in super-G.
At the start of the 2009/10 season, Lanning endured a high-speed crash while racing downhill at Lake Louise and dislocated his knee and fractured his C5 vertebra. The injuries forced him to retire, making the Lake Louise race his final on the World Cup series. However, following his recovery, Lanning remained closely involved with the sport and went on to coach speed skiing for the U.S. Ski Team.
POWDER extends our deepest condolences to Lanning’s family, friends, children, and all those affected by the loss.
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