Bode Miller considered retiring last winter after cutting short an injury-plagued season in which he went winless for the first time since 2000-01 (Jacques Demarthon/AFP/Getty Images)

Bode Miller is rejoining the U.S. ski team.

The three-time Olympian raced independently on the World Cup circuit for the last two seasons after clashing with U.S. officials around the 2006 Torino Olympics, where he was accused of partying too much. He failed to reach the podium in Italy, despite being hyped as a potential five-medal threat.

Miller plans to ski during the coming World Cup season after taking a long break to contemplate his career and said that if he qualifies for the Vancouver Olympics, he will compete.

Qualifying for the Vancouver Games is based on results from the World Cup season, which begins Oct. 24 with a giant slalom in Soelden, Austria.

Sasha Rearick, the U.S. men's alpine coach, said Miller has committed to the national team and will need to qualify for a spot on the Olympic team. The U.S. Olympic ski team will be announced Jan. 26.

"To have Bode come back to the family is extremely exciting for us," Rearick said. "I'm looking forward to having Bode lead through his actions."

Speaking at a news conference Thursday, Miller said he enjoyed his time away but believes he still has more to accomplish in his long career.

Miller related his decision to that of quarterback Brett Favre, who twice retired only to return to the NFL, most recently with the Minnesota Vikings.

"You can see how it would be nice to walk away and try something new," he said. "Then you walk away and there's obviously a big hole left. I still had more to give."

Miller is a two-time World Cup overall champion and won two silver medals at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.