Bode Miller Biography

Photo of American downhill skier, Bode Miller.

Jonathan Selkowitz/USSA

Downhill ski champ, Bode Miller, will be the gold medal favorite for the United States at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Find out more about this downhill speed demon right here.

Bode Miller - Born To Ski

Bode Miller was born in New Hampshire and grew up in a very unconventional, hippy household. Bode and his family lived on a 500-acre property near the White Mountains in a cabin that had no running water, no electriciy, no cable TV and no toilet! Miller's unique living situation meant he often had to walk through snow to use an outhouse - but it also meant he had lots of time to enjoy the great outdoors. Miller learned to ski when he was three years old and began entering competitive ski races when he turned 11. With a unique skiing style and a no-fear attitude, Bode earned a spot on the US ski team when he was 18.

Bode Miller - Need For Speed

It didn't take long for Bode Miller to make an impression on the US ski team. Miller became known for pushing boundaries and always trying to go faster. In 1996, Miller became the first skier on the US Ski Team to use hour glass shaped skis, helping him win the Giant Slalom and Super G titles at the Junior Olympics. Other skiers on the team followed Bode's lead and he soon became the star of the US ski team. Miller won two silver medals for skiing at the 2002 Winter Olympics and in 2005 he became the first American skier in 22 years to win the World Cup overall title in alpine skiing. While his unorthodox and reckless style of skiing often results in as many wipeouts as it does first place results, Miller will be a big favorite to win a gold medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy.