Who does not love the excitement of viewing those wild rocky hills with snow-laden skiers gliding down!? First things first, the 2024–25 FIS Ski World Cup season is on its way. Fans have been waiting for just about 8 months since the last World Cup wrapped in March, and they’re more than ready to see their favorite skiers back at it, hunting that shiny Crystal Globe once again.

It all started in Solden, Austria–guess who is back? Here’s Mikaela Shiffrin, finally ready to ski following her MCL damage last January. Yeah, and she is about to join the century digits — 100 career wins!!! And wait, last year’s overall champion Lara Gut-Behrami is not surrendering. And there is an influx of skiers all ready to make this epic season even more in our memories. Without further ado, here are the top athletes to look out for this season!

Mikaela Shiffrin

Mikaela Shiffrin dominated the 2023/2024 season with remarkable ease. Earlier this season, she secured her 96th victory, finishing 1.24 seconds ahead of her competitors. It seems as though her recent injury never really affected her—no sprained knee or month and a half of rehabilitation—just the impressive athlete being true to form. With her slalom win in Åre on March 10, she claimed her eighth title, tying her with legends like Ingemar Stenmark and Lindsey Vonn for the record of most victories in a single discipline.

With the record for the most World Cup wins, along with her Olympic medals and five overall World Cup titles, she is undoubtedly a leading contender. However, it’s important to remember that there is a group of skilled skiers eager to compete for that Crystal Globe!

Ryan Cochran-Siegle

Ryan Cochran-Siegle was raised skiing at his family’s renowned Cochran’s Ski Area and became part of the development team in 2010. Now a formidable competitor on the men’s speed World Cup circuit, he has secured multiple podium finishes and clinched a super-G victory at the 2020 Bormio World Cup. Remember his silver medal in the super-G at the 2022 Beijing Olympics? He has been excelling! He concluded the 2023-24 season with his highest downhill world ranking to date, finishing in eighth place, and it’s clear that this is just the beginning for him.

Cochran-Siegle has some big goals in sight—like winning the World Cup downhill title, snagging more Olympic and World Championship medals, and crushing the Kitzbühel Downhill. And let’s be real, he’s well on his way. But don’t get too comfy; he’s not the only one bringing the heat this season. The FIS Ski World Cup is loaded with talent, and all these athletes are hungry for that Crystal Globe!

Marco Odermatt

Marco Odermatt is determined to secure his fourth consecutive overall title, and the anticipation is palpable! This world champion competes in every discipline, positioning him as a formidable contender on any slope. Hailing from Buochs, Switzerland, he undoubtedly inherited exceptional talent from his parents. After beginning his journey at the Hergiswil Ski Club, he quickly made a name for himself at his first Migros GP and joined the youth team of the Nidwalden Ski Association by the age of 10.

Fast forward to the present, and Marco is performing exceptionally well! With his strong determination and expertise, he is striving for the coveted Crystal Globe once more. It promises to be an exciting season as we watch all the skilled skiers compete!

Sara Hector

Sara Hector is a prominent figure in Swedish alpine skiing, recognized for her remarkable grace and skill on the slopes. Her extraordinary talent and resilient spirit have established her as a significant name in the skiing community. She has faced some of the most challenging courses and achieved multiple podium finishes throughout her career. As she continues to push the boundaries in alpine skiing, Sara serves as a true inspiration for young athletes with big dreams.

Lara Colturi

This FIS Ski World Cup season isn’t just for the seasoned pros; the Gen Z crew is stepping up! In a sport where experience usually rules, athletes born in the 2000s are making waves. Italian skiing whiz Lara Colturi, just 17, is already a familiar face in her third season of top-tier alpine racing.

After nearly becoming the youngest debutant in 2022, she made 22 starts last season, scoring factors in all but seven. Improving from a knee damage, Colturi has hit the top 15 in six instances this season, with a standout 9th-region finish in the Flachau slalom. She also added a bronze in a giant slalom on the junior worlds in St. Jean d’Aulps, France. This season of the FIS Ski Global Cup is shaping as much as being legendary, with fierce competition ready to chase that bright crystal globe!