Celebrating Alpine Stars: A Season of Special Achievements and Honours

While the focus remains on preparation for the season ahead, the past months have also brought moments of recognition and celebration across the alpine skiing community. Away from the training tracks and race courses, athletes have been rewarded with gondolas for outstanding achievements, nominated for prestigious honours, welcomed at annual galas, and celebrated for milestones beyond sport. Here is a recap of the latest celebrations of the apine stars. 

Swiss Alpine Stars Celebrated at Swiss-Ski Night by Sunrise 2026

On the 12th of May, the spotlight shifted from the race courses to the gala stage as the Swiss skiing community gathered for the fourth edition of the Swiss-Ski Night by Sunrise, bringing together the athletes and stories that made the season one to remember.

Among the alpine stars celebrated on the night was Franjo von Allmen, who was named the men's Swiss Snow Sportsperson of the Year after a season filled with historic achievements and unforgettable performances. The evening also shone a light on the next generation, with Dania Allenbach receiving the Alpine Rookie of the Year award following a breakthrough season that marked her arrival on the international stage.

Celebrating Academic Success

Away from the race course, Sofia Goggia and Justine Lamontagne have recently celebrated important milestones beyond sport, proving that, with dedication and discipline, elite competition can coexist with academic education.

After celebrating her first Super G Crystal Globe — adding a new trophy to her collection of four Downhill Crystal Globes — Sofia Goggia marked another important achievement by earning her diploma in Political Science from LUISS University in Rome in early June. While continuing to compete at the highest level of alpine skiing, the Italian star successfully balanced training, travel and racing with her university studies, demonstrating the same commitment and perseverance that she has shown throughout her career on the slopes.

Canadian alpine skier Justine Lamontagne also combined sporting success with academic achievement. The Quebec native, who represented Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, recently completed her studies at Montana State University while juggling her athletic career. During her time at MSU, Lamontagne became only the second women’s alpine skier in the university’s history to win a National Championship and the first to claim multiple national titles, adding another remarkable chapter to her journey both as an athlete and a student.

Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin Recognised Among TIME100 Sports Icons

From conquering the world’s toughest slopes to inspiring generations of athletes, Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin have once again been recognised for their impact on sport. Both alpine skiing legends feature among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026 in the “Icons” category. 

Representing two eras of American alpine skiing excellence, Vonn and Shiffrin have each helped shape the snow sport in not just the US, but also all over the world.

Mikaela Shiffrin Nominated for 2026 ESPY Award After Historic Season

Mikaela Shiffrin is among the nominees for the 2026 ESPY Award for Best Athlete, Women’s Sports, following another remarkable season that further strengthened her legacy as one of alpine skiing’s all-time greats.

The prestigious award recognises the year’s most outstanding athletic performances across all sports, with Shiffrin receiving recognition after a dominant 2025/26 campaign. She won nine of the 10 World Cup slalom races, claimed a record ninth slalom crystal globe, and secured her sixth career overall World Cup title, matching the all-time women’s record. During the latest season, her career victory tally also reached an extraordinary 110 World Cup wins.

Shiffrin’s winter further peaked with her third Olympic gold medal, adding another historic and emotional achievement to her career. The ESPY nomination is the latest recognition of her continued impact and success on the world stage.

Emma Aicher nominated for Team D Awards Mailand Cortina 2026

The list of recent recognitions continues with Emma Aicher earning a nomination for the Team D Awards 2026 in the “Olympics” category. Held for the third time and presented by the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and the German Disabled Sports Association (DBS), the awards celebrate athletes who created memorable moments through their performances and personal stories at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

At just 22 years old, Aicher made Olympic history as the youngest downhill medallist since 1994, with her fearless and aggressive racing style helping her capture two silver medals in Italy — one in the downhill and one in the team combined alongside teammate Kira Weidle-Winkelmann. Her impressive Olympic performance and presence has now earned her a place among the Team D Award nominees as the only alpine skier recognised in this year’s category.

Both the ESPY Awards and the Team D Awards 2026 remain open for public voting until 15 July, giving fans the opportunity to support Mikaela and Emma and help celebrate their outstanding achievements.

Franzoni and Feller honoured with own gondola in Kitzbühel

Adding to the celebrations, two further special recognitions were presented in Kitzbühel, with Giovanni Franzoni and Manuel Feller each receiving a personalised Hahnenkammbahn gondola — a lasting tribute reserved for the sport’s most memorable achievements on the legendary slopes.

Franzoni’s historic Streif downhill victory, which made him the first Italian to conquer the race, and Feller’s emotional breakthrough on the Ganslern slalom course were both immortalised through this unique Kitzbühel tradition. Discover the full stories behind these two remarkable occasions in our dedicated features.