Rising talents headline strong Snowboard Alpine European Cup season

Apr 29, 2026·Snowboard Alpine

The 2025/26 FIS Snowboard Alpine European Cup delivered another competitive and dynamic season, once again providing a strong platform for the next generation of athletes to compete across Europe.

The season began in December with two traditional venues, immediately setting an exciting tone for the winter to come. As usual, the opener took place in Götschen (GER), where two Parallel Slalom (PSL) races delivered high-quality competition. This was followed by a return to Moninec (CZE), where back-to-back PSL events ensured a seamless continuation of the season.

January brought a dense and demanding schedule. It kicked off with a double Parallel Giant Slalom event in Folgaria (ITA), which also served as a key test event for the 2026 FIS Snowboard Alpine Junior World Championships later in the season. The tour then moved on to the established World Cup venues of Bad Gastein (AUT) and Bansko (BUL), where athletes had the opportunity to compete on some of the most challenging slopes on the circuit under highly professional conditions, with the EC races coming directly on the heels of World Cup events.

After the Olympic break, the season entered its decisive phase. Lenzerheide (SUI) featured a new and impressive course, although weather conditions forced the cancellation of the second race day. Just a few days later, the tour moved to Davos (SUI), where races were held on the Bolgen slope, offering valuable European Cup points on a World Cup-caliber course after a necessary venue change due to snow conditions.

A new stop on the calendar, Bialka Tatrzanska (POL), joined the European Cup circuit, hosting races in early March. The debut proved to be a success, with the venue impressing athletes and teams alike thanks to its professional setup and well-prepared slope, perfectly suited for European Cup PGS racing.

The season concluded in traditional fashion with the finals in Ratschings (ITA) in mid-March. In a consistently excellent atmosphere, the final races determined the overall winners. Heavy snowfall ahead of the last race day presented an additional challenge, but thanks to the strong cooperation between organizers and lift operators, the event was delivered smoothly.

In the overall standings (PGS and PSL combined), Pia Schoeffmann (AUT) claimed victory in the women’s ranking with seven podiums (three victories), followed by Larissa Gasser (SUI) in second place and Ricarda Hauser (SUI) in third.

In the men’s competition, Mike Santuari (ITA) secured the overall title with seven podium finishes (three victories), ahead of Manuel Haller (ITA) in second and Joachim Gravogl (AUT) in third place.

“Overall, I am very pleased with the successful mix of established venues, new destinations, and proven World Cup slopes within the calendar,” – Roland Horn, FIS European Cup Coordinator for Snowboard Alpine

“The strong interest from organizers highlights the importance of the European Cup as a platform to showcase their capabilities and take the next step toward hosting higher-level events, while maintaining a consistently high standard across the tour. I would also like to thank all organizers for their dedication and excellent work throughout the season,” Horn concluded.

With a strong mix of established venues and new additions, the 2025/26 European Cup season once again underlined its importance as a key step in the development pathway of Snowboard Alpine athletes, serving as a crucial bridge toward the FIS World Cup level.

The FIS wishes all athletes a successful off-season and the very best in their preparations for the upcoming competitive winter.