About the Author: Peter Lange

FIS has announced several new safety-focused equipment regulations for the 2025–26 alpine ski season. The changes include a ban on rigid shin pads inside ski boots, mandatory cut-resistant undergarments for Level 0 and 1 events, and required airbag back protectors in elite-level speed disciplines. Every FIS athlete—especially those competing on the Nor-Am, Europa Cup, or World Cup circuits—should review these updates and prepare accordingly.

Lauren Macuga’s breakout season delivered a World Cup win, a World Championship medal, and a bold Olympic trajectory. Known for her fearless skiing and fun-loving energy, the 22-year-old U.S. star is charging into 2026 with momentum—and her stars-and-stripes bucket hat in tow.

FIS approved a prize money increase of up to 20% for all World Cup disciplines starting next season, as top earners from 2024–25 included Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt and Italy’s Federica Brignone. All top three men were Swiss, two of the top three women were Italian, and no Austrians cracked either podium

Project Olympic in Palisades Tahoe is a bold, community-driven initiative that blends deed-restricted housing, public fitness facilities, and educational opportunities to support athletes, families, and local workers. With support from local leaders, businesses, and ski racing champions like Travis Ganong, the project aims to transform Olympic Valley into a sustainable model for mountain town development.

Patrick Kenney’s rise to the World Cup wasn’t linear—but it was relentless. From being cut by the U.S. Ski Team to racing independently in Europe, earning All-American honors at the University of New Hampshire, and building a support network from scratch, Kenney’s journey is a story of grit, gratitude, and belief. Now back on the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, he’s more prepared than ever—and ready for the Olympic season ahead.

Go inside two days of open, honest conversation between U.S. Ski Team staff, Rocky Mountain Division coaches, and top American athletes. From tactical GS insights to personal reflections on career challenges, the May 18–19 forum delivered rare and valuable perspectives on athlete development, coaching, and community. Watch the full sessions now, including athlete roundtables starting at 2:12:40 (Saturday) and 2:20:50 (Sunday).

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has replaced its national development team with a regional system for 2025–26, aiming to develop top athletes closer to home through focused coaching, flexible selection, and reduced costs supported by new funding and long-term endowment plans.

Haley Cutler: A World Cup Breakthrough Built on Passion, Grit, and Belief Kvitfjell and the

The United States Collegiate Ski Association (USCSA) 2024–25 Report, presented by Ron Bonneau during the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Congress, highlights steady membership, record-breaking Nationals participation, and new proposals to strengthen ties with U.S. Ski & Snowboard—focusing on athlete retention, coaching pathways, and shared resources.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has nominated 49 athletes to the 2025–26 Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team, led by Olympic medalists Mikaela Shiffrin, Lindsey Vonn and Ryan Cochran-Siegle, alongside world champion Breezy Johnson, Lauren Macuga, who took super-G bronze at the 2025 World Championships, and Paula Moltzan, who claimed giant slalom bronze. The roster blends experience and emerging talent as the team builds toward the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina.

A new survey from the EWAS project reveals why women enter alpine ski coaching—and why many leave. Despite passion for the sport and a desire to mentor young athletes, female coaches face systemic barriers, including gender bias, poor pay, limited advancement, and work-life conflicts. The report calls for urgent reforms to create a more equitable and supportive coaching environment.

The Alpine Development Playbook presents a bold strategy to transform U.S. ski racing into the world’s leading Alpine system. Developed by the Performance Task Force, the plan outlines urgent goals, key focus areas, and ten sweeping recommendations aimed at aligning clubs, regions, colleges, and the national team. With a clear mission, data-driven targets, and emphasis on collaboration, the playbook offers a unified roadmap to elevate American athletes to consistent World Cup and Olympic success.

North America’s top men’s giant slalom skiers faced setbacks in 2025, but River Radamus led the charge with another top-15 season, while Erik Read, Patrick Kenney, and Bridger Gile added depth behind him. George Steffey returns after a year of recovery, aiming to rejoin the fight for Olympic selection in 2026.

Swiss-Ski has officially named 117 athletes to its 2025–26 national alpine team, including 57 men and 60 women across World Cup, Europa Cup, and development levels, highlighting the depth and future of Swiss ski racing.

North American women made major gains in World Cup giant slalom this season, with the Stifel U.S. Ski Team finishing second in the Nations Cup GS standings and Alpine Canada Alpin’s Valérie Grenier returning strong. With podiums from Paula Moltzan, breakout performances from Katie Hensien and Britt Richardson, and a growing list of point scorers, both teams look primed for Olympic success in 2026.

For the 15th straight season, no North American man reached a World Cup slalom podium—but the signs of change are real. Benjamin Ritchie surged into the top 20, Jett Seymour found consistency, and veterans like Luke Winters and Erik Read remain in the mix. With a deeper core, renewed confidence, and Olympic momentum building, North American men may close in on the breakthrough they’ve chased for over a decade.

North American slalom women built momentum this season with standout performances, key comebacks, and growing depth on both the Stifel U.S. Ski Team and Alpine Canada Alpin. With Olympic hopes in sight, staying healthy will be the key to converting potential into podiums in 2026.

North America’s top men wrapped a turbulent World Cup downhill season with moments of brilliance and signs of strain. Canada celebrated a Kitzbühel win from James Crawford and a pair of podiums from Cameron Alexander, while the Stifel U.S. Ski Team managed just one podium amid injuries and ranking drops. As the 2026 Olympic season approaches, both teams show potential—but podium consistency and athlete health will be key.