Off-season grind: How alpine skiers are preparing for a crucial Olympic and World Cup year

As the winter season slowly approaches, alpine ski athletes are making the most of the off-season to push their limits through dryland training. Strength, endurance, mobility, and team bonding, every element matters when preparing for a long and demanding World Cup and Olympic year.

Here’s a look at where some of the top teams have been training over the past few months:

Austrian tech men: Sunshine, strength & Wörthersee cool-downs

The Austrian men’s technical team headed to Wörthersee in southern Austria, where picturesque lake views and summer sunshine provided the perfect setting for an intense outdoor training block. Alongside strength work and team-building sessions, the athletes also took full advantage of the beautiful lake, cooling down in its refreshing waters after long days of effort.

Meanwhile, the Austrian speed women spent several weeks training in Slovenia. Their program included dynamic physical sessions with a special focus on coordination and explosiveness featuring, among other things, trampoline exercises.

The Austrian tech women opted for warmer skies, traveling to Cyprus for a training camp that mixed fitness, team cohesion, and sunshine. With great weather and versatile facilities, the island provided an ideal backdrop for sharpening both mind and body ahead of the season.

Swiss men: Focus and consistency in Spain

Marco Odermatt, Gino Caviezel, Justin Murisier, and Thomas Tumler traveled to Spain for several weeks of dryland training, where their physical coach is based. The team enjoyed the ideal climate and quality facilities, staying focused on building a strong base for the season ahead in a calm and productive environment.

Meanwhile, the Swiss speed team headed to Mallorca, where long bike rides under the sun were a key part of their endurance program. The island’s terrain and warm conditions provided a perfect setting to push their limits while strengthening team cohesion.

Swiss speed women: Olympic spirit in Cortina

The Swiss speed women’s team headed to Cortina d’Ampezzo, the site of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, and got an early taste of the Olympic atmosphere. Some athletes even biked from Switzerland to Italy, a true display of motivation, strength, and team cohesion.

Canadian Men: Bonding and building in Whistler

The Canadian men’s team reunited for a full training week in Whistler. The camp combined structured physical work with valuable team-building moments, allowing athletes to reconnect and push each other forward in a stunning alpine environment on home turf.

Italian team: Tradition continues in Formia

As in previous years, the Italian team returned to the Olympic training center in Formia. With access to high-end gym and athletic track infrastructure, the squad focused on structured strength and conditioning sessions. Formia remains a key location for their physical preparation each summer.

Croatian ,men’s team: Holiday vibes, serious work in Rovinj

The Croatian men, Filip Zubcic, Istok Rodes, and Samuel Kolega, chose Rovinj on the Adriatic coast for their off-season training. Blending a relaxed, seaside atmosphere with serious dryland sessions, the trio stayed motivated while enjoying the best of Croatia’s coastal summer.

Norwegian team: From Oslo intensity to Gran Canaria unity

The Norwegian athletes spent many hours at the Olympiatoppen in Oslo, where they followed demanding individual training programs. In early June, they traveled together to Gran Canaria for the “Olympic Week”, a special training camp where they teamed up with Norwegian athletes from other disciplines, fostering cross-sport exchange, unity, and motivation.