A Guide to the 2024-2025 Alpine Ski Racing Season

According to most snowsports industry data results, there are well over one million skiers and snowboarders that head out to the slopes every winter from the UK, making it the second largest outbound ski market in the world after Germany. Yet when asked to name but a handful of the world’s top current Alpine ski racers, most British skiers would probably struggle.

David Ryding will hopefully be the first name that comes to mind, perhaps Michaela Shiffrin, but what about Marco Odermatt? Maybe not, yet he’s currently the best men’s Alpine ski racer in the world.

With BBC Ski Sunday due to return to British screens early in 2025 and full coverage of the Alpine Skiing World Cup and Alpine Skiing World Championships scheduled on the Discovery Channel, we certainly get exposed to Alpine ski racing in the UK. It’s an exciting format with four disciplines including Downhill, Super G, Giant Slalom and Slalom. Perhaps the lack of any British skier in the downhill category right now doesn’t help spark interest – think back to Martin and Graham Bell and Konrad Bartelski during the 1980s and 90s, they were household names. Chemmy Alcott was Britain’s most successful female downhill skier and now presents Ski Sunday, but where are they all now? Of course in the slalom category, we have superstar David Ryding who has multiple podiums and a World Cup win to his name – without doubt the greatest ever achiever in British ski racing. Hot on his heels are Billy Major and Laurie Taylor, both genuine contenders for Dave ‘The Rocket’ Ryding’s crown.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at where you might catch one of the ski races live this winter and some of the characters that might end up standing out. Maybe even a few Brits looking to make a name in a sport dominated by the Alpine skiing nations of France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and North America, with Norway a constant thorn in all of their sides. But let’s not forget Brazil. Excuse me what? Yes, that’s right, Norwegian-born Lucas Braathen has switched to the birth country of his mother and has already managed to achieve Brazil’s best-ever ski result, a fourth place in the opening Giant Slalom of the season in Sölden, Austria.

You’re too late to catch that race but there’s plenty to come – let’s take a look at some of the highlights.

Levi, Finland – November 16th-17th

The first slalom race of the season kicks off above the Arctic Circle in the town of Levi over two days that sees both the men and the women compete on the same course with women on Saturday and the men on Sunday. Could one of the British team skiers take a podium? Definitely, but look out for Mikaela Shiffrin from the USA who is surely favourite for first place in the women’s race. Could Austria’s Manuel Feller, winner of the overall slalom title last season, take first in the men’s?

Win predictor: Women, Mikaela Shiffrin and Men, Manuel Feller.

Beaver Creek, Colorado – December 6th-8th

The first downhill race of the season sees the men start in Beaver Creek Colorado followed by two further days of competition that includes a Super G and Giant Slalom race. Remember a Super G is a bit like a downhill race but with more turns. The famous Birds of Prey course has now become the traditional starting place for men’s speed events in the World Cup.

Win predictor in the downhill: Marco Odermatt.

Val d’Isere, France – December 14th-15th

The popular French ski resort used to be known for the very first downhill race of the season, The Premier Neige, but today it has to wait a little longer as it now hosts the men’s giant slalom and slalom races on its famous Olympic course named simply, La Face. It’s steep, technical and as solid as rock underneath the skis – anyone winning here becomes an instant legend in a town that lives to ski. Win predictor Giant Slalom: Lucan Braathen.

Win predictor Slalom: Clement Noel.

Val Gardena, Italy – December 20th-21st

Staying with the men, another classic kick starts the European downhill and Super G season in Italy’s Dolomite region and the town of Val Gardena, scene of Konrad Bartelski’s silver medal place in the 1981 event, still Britain’s best-placed finish in a World Cup downhill ski race. The famous camel humps can still catch skiers out and that’s if they don’t get distracted by the incredible scenery. Win predictor Super G: Dominik Paris.

Win predictor Downhill: Vincent Kriechmayr.

St. Moritz, Switzerland – December 21st-22nd

Over the same weekend, the women head to Switzerland and the snowy landscape of the Engadine Valley. The resort of St. Moritz might be known for its 5* hotels and luxury shopping, but the slopes are world-class and two days of Super G racing will test the very best women skiers in the world on a fast and technical course. Anyone lucky enough to be in the area just before Christmas is in for a real treat.

Win predictor Super G day one: Federica Brignone. Day two: Sofia Goggia.

Madonna di Campiglio, Italy – January 8th

Under the floodlights, this evening men’s slalom event has become an absolute classic on the World Cup schedule. The party atmosphere ramps up during the first run from 17:45 with the top 30 running in reverse order for the second run that starts at 20:45. Big crowds, lots of noise, Italian flair and one of the must-watch ski races of the year.

Win predictor: David Ryding.

Flachau, Austria – January 14th

Now it’s the turn of the women – just a week later they hit the Austrian ski resort of Flachau, steeped in Alpine ski racing history, with the same format under the floodlights and the same excitement. In fact the Austrian crowd here is known for its enthusiasm and support, especially when it comes to some of their local heroes.

Win predictor: Katherina Leinsberger.

Wengen, Switzerland – January 17th-19th

The men get to indulge themselves in what is surely the most spectacular ski race of the season under the watchful eye of the Eiger Mountain. Three days starting with a Super G, then a downhill –which happens to be the longest on the men’s circuit, ending with a slalom on one of the tightest and steepest slopes through the forest to the finish at Inner Wengen. A weekend of huge crowds, big parties and fierce competition.

Win predictor Super G: Marco Odermatt. Win Predictor Downhill: Bryce Bennet. Win predictor Slalom: Loic Meillard.

Kitzbuhel, Austria – January 24th-26th

The blue ribbon event of the men’s season and the famous Hahnenkamm downhill slope intimidates even the hardest of downhill racers. The format is a repeat of Wengen over three days of racing above the Tyrolean town that has seen more ski racing action than any other over the years. If you’re going to watch one downhill ski race in your life then watch the Hahnenkamm, it might not be the longest but it’s without doubt the toughest. Win predictor Super G: Raphael Hauser. Win Predictor Downhill: Ryan Cochran-Siegel.

Win predictor Slalom: Daniel Yule.

Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria – Alpine Skiing World Championships 2025 (February 4th-16th)

Every other year, one resort plays host to the Alpine Skiing World Championships, spanning over two weeks it involves both the men and women competing in all four Alpine Disciplines plus a combined (downhill and slalom) and a team parallel slalom race. In 2025, the Austrian resort of Saalbach-Hinterglemm will host this festival of ski racing, last held here in 1991, that will see over 10 world champions crowned. That’s just too many for us to predict but let’s just say we will put money on both Mikaela Shiffrin and Marco Odermatt taking at least one gold between them.

Crans-Montana, Switzerland – February 22nd-23rd

It’s the women racers that have traditionally enjoyed the sunny slopes of this Swiss ski resort known for its luxury hotels and gourmet cuisine. It’s widely regarded as the toughest course on the women’s circuit, but in 2025 it’s the men’s turn to try a new course that will be used in the 2027 Alpine Skiing World Championships. Two days with a Super G and Downhill will have the eyes of the skiing world on them as the resort tests out the course for the first time.

Win predictor Super G: Marco Odermatt. Win Predictor Downhill: Cameron Alexander.

Kvitfjell, Norway – February 28th to March 2nd

Constructed especially for the 1994 Winter Olympic Games for the men, the downhill run in Kvitfjell is a long and winding black graded slope that twists and turns through the forest on the north-facing side of this steep Norwegian hill. During most of the season, this slope is open for anyone that wants to tackle it and the lower part is relatively mellow and usually offers fantastic snow quality. In 2025 it’s the turn of the women to speed down what is surely going to be the toughest downhill race of their season. Two downhill and a Super G take place over three days.

Win predictor downhill: Lara Gut-Behrami. Win predictor Super G: Kajsa Vickhoff Lie.

Sun Valley, Idaho – March 22nd-27th World Cup Finals

For the very first time ever, Sun Valley in the US state of Idaho, will host the World Cup finals where the men and women meet to compete in the final races of the season. All four disciplines take place over a week in the ski resort that saw the first-ever chairlift installed back in 1936. What skiers will take the overall World Cup Crowns? It’s too hard to call, but one thing is for sure, there will be many twists and turns along the way – both metaphorically and literally.

To follow Alpine Ski Racing visit: fis-ski.com

A Guide to the 2024-2025 Alpine Ski Racing Season: A Summary

With over a million British skiers and snowboarders hitting the slopes each year, the UK is a significant player in the global ski market. Yet few British enthusiasts can name the sport’s top racers, despite athletes like David Ryding making a mark in slalom events. The upcoming ski season offers plenty of excitement, with BBC’s Ski Sunday and coverage on Discovery Channel bringing the Alpine Skiing World Cup closer to UK audiences. The season spans iconic race locations like Beaver Creek, Val Gardena, Wengen, and Kitzbuhel, with top athletes in disciplines such as Downhill, Super G, Giant Slalom, and Slalom. Highlights include the Alpine Skiing World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria, and the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho.