Simonhohe set to host next stage of thrilling World Cup season

Jan 22, 2026·Snowboard Alpine

Aaron March carving up the slope in Simonhohe. Photo: @FIS/Miha Matavz

The Visa FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup rolls on amidst a busy January with a stop in Simonhohe, Austria. The athletes will compete in a parallel giant slalom race on Friday January 23. They will then take the slope once again for a mixed team PGS race on Saturday January 24.

Simonhohe is the eighth stage of the World Cup campaign. The venue made its debut in 2022 and has hosted every other year since. The challenging slope brings a prime opportunity for the Austrian snowboarders to grab some hometown glory, especially for one specific Austrian.

Sabine Payer coming back strong

Sabine Payer started off to a blazing start this season. Payer made three podiums in the first four races with two wins. She then injured her ankle and did not make a podium as she battled through the injury. She skipped the races in Bansko to prepare for Simonhohe.

The venue was too special to skip for Payer.

“It was really important for me to be on the start list, not only for myself but all my family and friends, and all the people that make this world cup event happen. They have been working really hard for half a year. It is great to race there and always fun for me. It is special for me because it is like my Carinthian snowboard family. I know almost everyone. They will be cheering but also helping with everything. And I love the slope, I have done more runs than anyone else there. It is a place for me to come home for Christmas, and to train. I have done so much training there,”– Payer said.

Sabine Payer hoping for another win in Simonhohe. Photo: @FIS/Miha Matavz

She has a great chance to make it victory number three on the season. Payer has dominated on her home slope. She has three wins at Simonhohe, one individual and two in the team event.

She knows the slope inside and out, giving her the advantage once again.

“It is flat. I love that. Everyone knows I like this kind of riding. You have to make the speed on your own, you have to work hard to get fast on this hill. I love that, it is a lot of carving and creates tight races,”– Payer said.

Payer will be the main name to watch this weekend. Zuzana Maderova (CZE) will lead the group chasing Payer. She came in second at Simonhohe in 2024 behind Payer and is hoping for one step up on the podium.

It was Maderova’s first career World Cup podium and a profound memory for the youngster.

“Two years ago, I got my first World Cup podium in Simonhöhe, so I have a really strong connection to this hill. I really like it. I think the key to success here isn’t any complicated strategy, you just have to ride and not think about any rollers or traps. There aren’t any on this hill, it’s a straight, “friendly” course,”– Maderova said.

Zuzana Maderova on her way to second in Simonhohe in 2024. Photo: @FIS/Miha Matavz

The Czech snowboarder has four career podiums but is still chasing her first win.

“I really want that first victory. After how close I was in Davos, where it was just a few centimeters, I want it more than ever,”– Maderova said.

Another storyline to watch is the return of Ester Ledecka (CZE). The dual-sport superstar is away from her Alpine ski duties back on the start list for snowboard alpine in Simonhohe. Ledecka is a world champion and two-time Olympic champion in PGS. Her last snowboard Alpine World Cup start came in Mylin in 2024 last season. She won the PGS race there and came fourth in PSL. She has won five of her last six individual snowboard Alpine Word Cup starts.

The women’s field will have plenty of other contenders. Elisa Caffont (ITA) is the overall leader and will try to extend her lead. Her Italian teammate Lucia Dalmasso (ITA) is also in the mix. No women’s PGS contenders list is complete without Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER) and Tsubaki Miki (JPN). The two are among the favorites to top the podium.

Obmann hopeful for home crowd boost

On the men’s side, the Austrian team will be defending the podium from the efforts of the mighty Italian squad.

Fabian Obmann (AUT) came in second in Sunday’s PGS race in Bansko. He will hope to improve by one spot this weekend. Obmann is bringing in that strong momentum this week.

“I took a few days off from snowboarding to recharge my batteries and be ready for the next race. Throughout the whole season, I knew I was capable of stepping onto the podium, but it feels great to finally get that confirmation right before Simonhöhe. So, yeah I'm taking this positive feeling with me into the upcoming race at Simonhöhe,”– Obmann said.

Daniele Bagozza was sandwiched between the Austrian duo of Benjain Karl and Fabian Obmann in 2024. Photo: @FIS/Miha Matavz

The Austrian knows the Simonhohe slope well. He came third there in 2024.

“Simonhöhe will always mean a lot to me because this is the slope where everything started. It's the place where I made my very first snowboard turns. Coming back here always feels special,” – Obmann said.

The slope will also feel like home for the other Austrians including Benjamin Karl (AUT). The legend may be retiring but has been the best performing Austrian male this season. He is a contender after a win in Bansko.

There are plenty of others with success in the Austrian Alps. Daniele Bagozza (ITA) is the defending champion in Simonhohe after his win in 2024.

Bagozza is battling ankle issues but hopes his success at Simonhohe will be the remedy he needs.

“Simonhöhe is a fairly flat slope, it’s super nice for carving down, the key is the good mood because of the nice slope,”– Bagozza said.

The scenic slope in the family ski resort of Simonhohe at 1340 meters high. Photo: @FIS/Miha Matavz

He and the rest of the Italian men are hoping for a bounce back after missing the podium in Bansko. It was the first time this season with no Italian men in the top three.

“It wasn‘t surprising for me, we Italians hate that slope (in Bansko). It‘s super difficult, but those who didn‘t crash still had a good result. We Italians are carvers and we go for the fast carving turn and not survival turn,”– Bagozza said.

That bodes well this weekend on the flat slope of Simonhohe.

Bagozza’s teammates Aaron March (ITA) and Maurizio Bormolini (ITA) will be seeking crucial points as they jostle for the crystal globe lead.

The mixed team event gives Austria another chance for a big win in front of their home fans. They will have multiple pairs battling for the top spot. The Italian duos will also be strong contenders.