As the new winter sports season approaches, it’s time to dust off those skis and get ready for some heart-pounding action! The FIS Ski World Cup kicks off on October 26th, just seven months after the last season wrapped up on March 23rd. Fans are buzzing with excitement to watch their favorite athletes carve through the slopes at some of the world’s most breathtaking venues, with nearly 90 races scheduled through March. This season promises a thrilling showdown between the seasoned pros and some fresh faces, all vying for that coveted Crystal Globe. Will Mikaela Shiffrin make her comeback after her MCL injury sidelined her from hitting that historic 100-race mark?

All eyes will be on her as she aims to reclaim her throne! But let’s not forget last season’s overall champ, Lara Gut-Behrami, who’s ready to rain on Shiffrin’s parade and defend her title. That’s not all! Marco Odermatt is also looking to snag his fourth consecutive overall title on the men’s side, making the upcoming all the more alluring. With such a star-studded lineup, this season is surely set for jaw-dropping performances! But it’s not just the seasoned pros ready to steal the show; this season also brings rising talent to the slopes. So who should fans watch out for?

Top 5 young stars who could make an impact at the 2024–25 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup

Lara Colturi

Laura Culture was born on 15th November 2006. She became a permanent member of the Ski World Cup at the young age of 17. The upcoming tournament will be her third appearance at the competition. During the last season in 2023, Laura made 22 starts, scoring 15 times.

She also made the top 15 six times in the competition, with her highest finish being ninth. Thus, she has proven herself to be a prodigy. Laura also has four medals in the Junior Ski World Cup. This makes her one of the prime contenders for the Crystal Globe. The ski athlete has proven herself to be a phenom and looks to showcase it again at the upcoming tournament.

Britt Richardson

At only 21 years of age, Canada’s Britt Richardson seems to be establishing herself as one of the best skiers in her nation. Britt is all set to enter her third Ski World Cup season in 2024. During her first season, she started three races and ranked 2nd in the final standings of North America.

Her stocks only kept rising during her second season, as she once again finished second in the North American rankings and won a bronze medal at the team parallel event in France. In her third season at the FIS Ski World Cup, the skier will hope to mount a consistent top-30 challenge. This would help in her eventual route to winning the title.

 Emma Aicher

Born in Sundsvall, Sweden, Emma Aicher is a force to be reckoned with on the slopes—though she now skis for Germany, thanks to her Bavarian dad and, let’s be real, the better training opportunities in the Alps. Emma’s skiing journey kicked off in style when she won the FIS Children’s Cup in 2016, representing Sweden and giving the world a glimpse of her raw talent. By 2020, she made the switch to Team Germany and hasn’t looked back since.

On her 18th birthday, she made her World Cup debut in Lech/Zürs, Austria—talk about a birthday to remember! She also snagged a bronze medal in the team event at the World Championships in 2021, proving she’s definitely one to watch. With an Olympic silver and several World Championship medals under her belt, Emma is gearing up to dominate the upcoming Ski World Cup run!

Alice Robinson

At just 22, Alice Robinson has already cemented herself as a major force in the alpine skiing world. This Aussie-born Kiwi sensation hit the slopes like a storm, clinching her first World Cup podium at 17, right behind none other than Mikaela Shiffrin—talk about making an entrance! With three World Cup wins under her belt (all in giant slalom, by the way), she’s racked up ten podium finishes and 29 top-10 performances.

Her 2024 season was a standout, finishing 12th overall and 4th in giant slalom, her specialty. And let’s not forget, Alice’s list of achievements also includes a Junior World Championship gold from 2019. Not bad for someone who was New Zealand’s youngest-ever Winter Olympian at just 16, right? She’s got speed, skill, and the swagger to match!

Zrinka Ljutić

Meet Zrinka Ljutić, the 20-year-old Croatian alpine skiing dynamo who’s turning heads in the World Cup circuit! Born on January 26, 2004, this slalom and giant slalom specialist made her World Cup debut at just 16 and has already racked up an impressive résumé, including four podium finishes—all in slalom—and a stellar eighth-place overall finish in the 2024 season. She’s even got a shiny gold medal from the 2022 Junior World Championships in slalom and a bronze in giant slalom. But that’s not all!

After finishing the 2023 season ranked 41st overall and showing her skills by placing third in the slalom at Špindlerův Mlýn, Zrinka Ljutić leveled up to 13th overall and eighth in the slalom in 2024, with her latest podiums in Slovakia, Andorra, and Sweden. With the Rookie of the Year award in her pocket, Zrinka’s gearing up for the upcoming FIS Ski World Cup, and fans can’t wait to see if she can keep that momentum going. Who knows, she might just make this Ski World Cup season her breakthrough year!

With legends like Marcel Hirscher and Lucas Braathen’s return and the ever-impressive Mikaela Shiffrin gunning for that coveted 100th win, there’s no shortage of drama and skill on the slopes. These top 5 rising stars are eager to make a name for themselves, and fans can’t wait to see who’ll take the podium this year. So, who are you betting on to steal the show on the slopes at the 2024–25 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup? Share in the comments!