FIS concludes a successful 2024/25 season on the snow, with plans in place for 2025/26

As the summer months rolled in, FIS drew the curtain on yet another wonderful 2024/2025 season of Ski and Snowboard activities across the globe.   

So much work has gone into elevating winter sports both on and off the snow, from the highly contested World Cup events with some of the best athletes in the world, to development camps that nurture the next generation of hopefuls.   

FIS has also worked on growing the cohort of coaches, providing them with the necessary knowledge and practical skills to continue raising the level of their respective disciplines.   

In doing so, it has allowed the organization to reach all corners of the globe with a view of making these sports accessible to all.   

“The 2024/25 season marked a transformative chapter for the FIS Development Program,” FIS Secretary General, Michel Vion, said. 

“With over 6,600 skiing and snowboarding days delivered across three continents and a record 87% participation from our developing National Ski Associations (NSAs), we’ve seen the power of structured, inclusive, and globally coordinated development."

Before we look ahead to the upcoming 2025/2026 campaign, which will culminate with the Milano Cortina Games, let’s reflect on another successful year on the snow.   

The numbers behind the 24/25 campaign 

Here are some of the driving numbers behind a successful season on the snow… 

• 6,650 development days delivered 

• 815 athletes and coaches directly supported 

• 57 National Ski Associations (NSAs) engaged 

• 87.7% of all FIS developing NSAs participated in development activities 

When we compared this to the 23/24 season, the growth was evident: FIS witnessed an 93.1% increase in supported athletes and coaches, a 20.4% rise in supported NSAs, and a 20.7% increase in individual activities delivered.  

Off the snow, FIS has reinvigorated development programs – FIS Start and FIS Plus – for different membership tiers, providing constant communication through our Development and Membership HUBs.  

FIS welcomes new members   

Most recently, FIS welcomed new members to the organization as we continue to grow snow sports around the world.   

Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia were announced as full members, each having voting rights where applicable.   

Benin, Bhutan, and Indonesia also joined as associate members.   

With these nations aboard, FIS now has 141 members as of June 2025.   

A look at Development Camps – 24/25 season & what’s to come 

The recently concluded 24/25 campaign was yet another excellent year of bringing snow sports closer to all countries. Whether it was supporting the next generation, providing a space for coaches to learn and grow, or nurturing Para disciplines – FIS had something for everyone in the last 12 months.  

In Alpine Skiing, these camps went beyond training. They served as a demonstration for what you can achieve when you combine access, expertise, and opportunity.  

The team focused on strengthening national systems, supporting local coaches, and shaping athlete pathways.  

Speed clinics, launched with the FIS WSC OC in Val Gardena, have opened new doors in SG and DH for young and emerging athletes. There are plans to expand this to other regions, such as Asia and South America, for the upcoming season.

“Our goal is to popularize skiing in emerging NSAs and give them the opportunity to prepare for a high level of competition,” said Alpine camp coordinator Markus Malsiner.  

“Looking towards the future, we would like to work in the direction of targeted camps for Olympic and Paralympic athletes, emphasizing technical training and coach education."

The notion that these camps are, at their core, a result of increased opportunity was echoed by Park & Pipe development coordinator Martijn Ootsdijk.  

Similar to Alpine, they have focused on building sustainable nation systems, working to empower coaches and established a clear athlete pathway with the aim of bringing emerging NSAs into the heart of the sport’s future.  

There are plans to launch a new Rail event on the world stage. It is an accessible, high-energy format that provides young riders and developing NSAs with a unique chance to compete at the highest level.  

“Its lower infrastructure needs and creative format make it a game-changer for inclusion and talent discovery across all continents,” Martijn told FIS.  

“Looking ahead to the upcoming season, our priority is to continue this momentum with a target series of regional camps, coach education initiatives, and equipment support strategies.” 

The FIS Development Program has helped provide a welcome step up for the next generation of Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined athletes.

Across 24/25, the camps hosted were packed with valuable content; from a playful race day on the ski jump with roller skis in Planica as part of the Nation Camp with 100 participants, to visits from role models and sporting heroes like Špela Rogelj and Ziga Jelar in Planica and Ulrike Grässler and Eric Frenzel in Klingenthal.  

One thing that really stands out from the rest, however, is the team spirit within the participants and teams, which made each individual camp unique.

Between September 2024 and May 2025, four core camps to aid the development of Cross-Country were held across Europe. Several focused on improving technical skills and technique, others dedicating their time to raising the level of coach knowledge and education which in turn benefits athletes. 

In August, camp organizers will host a Para-specific event in Argentina that will span 10 days, followed by classification and competitions.  

With previous attendees going on to represent their nations at the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, there is hope that young people will see these camps as a tool that will help them achieve their dreams.  

Alberto Rigoni, Cross-Country coordinator, said: “Although the periods of working together are short, the athletes and coaches who have participated over the years have the right spirit, acquiring new knowledge or skills every day, and as a result have grown and improved.”  

A look ahead: What to expect from 25/26 

The 2025/2026 season is expected to be one of the most exciting Ski and Snowboard campaigns to date, culminating with the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Milano Cortina.   

For many athletes, reaching an Olympic or Paralympic Games is the pinnacle of their career. It brings together the best in the world for the ultimate showcase of winter sports.   

In past editions, participants in development camps have gone on to secure qualification for their respective nations.  

FIS looks forward to another season of supporting these hopefuls as they work towards competing on the biggest sporting stage of all.   

Where off the snow activities are concerned, plans are already in motion.  

In order to keep this momentum going and maximize on increased engagement, a four-year planning cycle (2026-2030) is being developed, looking at programs designed for different NSAs.  

FIS is also looking into partnership models that would allow developing NSAs to be supported by larger, established ones.  

The upcoming season promises to be another excellent year for the development team, with plenty more camps and events on the horizon.  

All of these will be available to see through the Development HUB for NSAs.