FIS development camps build on the success of Milano Cortina 2026

While some of the world’s best snow sport competitors were vying for Olympic and Paralympic silverware at Milano Cortina 2026, a cohort of next generation hopefuls were at the heart of FIS development camps across Europe and beyond.

A series of events held across the opening months of the new year saw a range of different approaches for different disciplines. From practical coaching to theoretical sessions, camp co-ordinators and experts continued to deliver these pivotal learning curves for coaches and athletes alike.

Early March paved the way for a freestyle event, focusing on moguls and aerials, that boasted 46 athletes – 25 male and 21 female – from 12 nations along with 16 coaches representing 10 NSAs (National Ski Associations).

Training sessions focused on technical development and collaboration among teams, providing ample opportunity at the end of each day to share knowledge and provide valuable feedback. As well as hands-on training, attendees also had the chance for team bonding in Bellinzona in the form of wellness activities and a guided cultural and social tour of the Swiss city. 

The week-long camp came with challenges, namely that of the weather following heavy snowfall. Despite this, however, spirits remained high in what was a positive experience that combined training and collaboration.

“Organizing the camp alongside other major events [World Juniors] was challenging,” said co-ordinator Deborah Scanzio. “But thanks to good teamwork and flexibility from all participants, the camp ran smoothly and created a valuable experience for everyone involved.”

In the same month, competitors ventured outside of Europe to Shchuchinsk, Kazakhstan. Across six days, 13 athletes and five coaches from five NSAs all banded together for a Cross-Country clinic that featured two FIS experts.

Designed to give attendees the opportunity to improve their skiing technique in both Classic and Free, it equally focused on providing coaches with the right tools to expand their knowledge about training methodology.

With excellent cooperation from all involved, including support from former Cross-Country skier Lara Peyrot (ITA), it proved a successful outing all round.

“I started to coach last summer and this is my second experience at a FIS training camp,” said Samat Bozhokoev (KGZ). “It is a big experience for me as a coach and for my athletes to be better – thank you very much for this.”

The sentiment was shared by participant Zhaniya Yermaganbetova (KAZ), who said: “I’m very happy to participate in this FIS training camp. The staff members are very helpful. I have learned a lot, especially about skiing techniques.”

Heading into April, Crans-Montana was the home of a speed camp in the Swiss mountains. Despite unpredictable weather across the first two days, eight athletes and five coaches from five NSAs enjoyed the chance to train in Super-G and Downhill on well-prepared slopes.

Dryland activities were also on offer in the form of training sessions and video analysis, to help those in attendance develop a deeper understanding of speed technique and tactics. For coaches, there was a focus on teamwork when delivering a speed event, emphasising the importance of communication and safety on the slope at all stages of training.

Collaboration from all involved made for a well-executed event, ensuring ideal conditions particularly in the morning sessions on the snow.

Around the same time, FIS teamed up with the Bulgarian Ski Federation to bring a Snowboard camp to Bankso. As well as athletes and coaches, it also hosted technical staff from several NSAs for intensive training and development opportunities.

The primary focus of the camp was to enhance performance and race preparation in Snowboard events, highlighting technical skills and physical conditioning in a high-quality mountain environment.

A structured training schedule allowed for maximum time on the snow while also balancing recovery and off-snow preparation for the 11 athletes and six coaches in attendance.

“The highlight of this camp for me was seeing the athletes’ progression over such a short period of time,” Bulgarian coach Georgi Atanasov told FIS. “The conditions at Bankso allowed us to run high-quality sessions every day.

“My main goal was for athletes to leave with a clearer understanding of how to build speed efficiently and maintain consistency under race conditions. I also want athletes to understand that success in Alpine Snowboarding comes from attention to detail; small improvements in technique can make a significant difference in results.”

Rounding out this period of development camps was the Park & Pipe event held between 19-24^th April in Kitzsteinhorn, Austria. The aim this time around was to provide developing teams with the necessary knowledge to grow the level of snow sports within their respective countries.

FIS welcomed 20 athletes and nine coaches from 11 NSAs for the week-long event, with the aim of learning how to train, how to adapt to different situations and circumstances, and importantly to grow their network and make friends. This took the form of training on the snow, learning new tricks, and preparing for competitions.

Relishing in the supportive atmosphere of the camp, competitor Dariana Volokhova (UKR) said: “I just want to stay here and ride for the rest of my life with you guys.”

Ruben Bruyssinck, a Belgian coach, added: “I have learned so much more than I thought I would in just four days – from the training on the mountain to the physical training and theory sessions on recovery, nutrition, and mental coaching.”

Camp co-ordinator, Martijn Oostdijk, concluded: “There were great vibes throughout the camp with a wonderful group of passionate skiers and snowboarders.”