We are one sleep away from Soelden, social media has been exploding with ski related posts, and a bit later than many would have liked but it's that time of year when the FIS ski thread gets refreshed for the season ahead.
Welcome back to the 2025/26 instalment of the white circus
Before we jump to the season ahead let's take a moment to recognise some of last year's triumphs:
1. Shiffrin's 100th WC win, coming in slalom in Sestriere on 23 February 2025 and finishing the year with 101 wins in the bag
2. Odermatt clinching everything but the Slalom Globe ( a repeat of the 23/24 season)
3. Vonn putting all the doubters and haters to shame proving that she still has it with her 4th place finish
4. Von Allme, Zrinka Ljutić and Camille Rast all having breakthrough seasons
Let's not forget Lucas Pinheiro Braathen teaching us all how to samba, think he had a dance season not a ski season!
What a season we are going to have ahead of us, with it also being an Olympic year for the white circus, where we will the see the racers descend upon Cortina in early February chasing Gold on hunting grounds all familiar following the 2023 World Championship Games that took place in Cortina.
The men will have a 38 race calendar across 19 venues - 9 downhills, 6 super-Gs, 9 giant slalom and 11 slalom races. Livigno will take over the Bormio Super-G this year and Crans Montana will join the mens tour as a test event for the upcoming 2027 World Championships.
The women will have a 37 race calendar across 20 venues - 9 downhills, 8 super-Gs, 10 giant slalom and 10 slalom races
The Olympic Break will take place from February 6 - 22.
UK + Europe: Eurosport player is no more, it looks like we now have to sign-up to TNT sports for £30.99 a month!!!
I am told but not confirmed that a VPN to Canada gets you free English streaming on CBC Sports.
If you're in Europe the below broadcasters cover the races, otherwise a VPN will be needed for access - they are all free to view CH https://www.srf.ch/play/tv
What are the little numbers counting up in the triangle on the time track, surely not the gates?
EDIT: I think you are right - it looks like a gat counter upon closer inspection watching run 2.
I thought it was just counting seconds initially. Feels gimmicky not sure yet what value this adds.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
extremerob wrote:
Feels gimmicky not sure yet what value this adds.
Pretty much zero value add. I assume they won’t bother for downhill (too few gates) or slalom (too many) but they probably will.
After all it is free
After all it is free
That was exciting
For anyone in UK not willing to shell out for TNT skiing is free on CBC Gem (you'll need a VPN and set to Canada). The commentary wasn't great but at least it was in English
Last edited by After all it is free on Fri 31-10-25 22:28; edited 1 time in total
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Ghost Dog wrote:
That was exciting
For anyone in UK not willing to shell out for TNT skiing is free on CBC Gem (you'll need a VPN and set to Canada). No Commentary wasn't great but at least it was in English
Or ZDF and German Eurosport.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ghost Dog wrote:
That was exciting
For anyone in UK not willing to shell out for TNT skiing is free on CBC Gem (you'll need a VPN and set to Canada). No Commentary wasn't great but at least it was in English
Thanks for this - and I have some possibly positive news on this front.
If you have a paid for VPN service like NordVPN or PIA, or use a free service that lets you select a country - choose Lebanon (and I am told also New Zealand works) and use the official FIS App /website to watch the races live with English Commentary here: https://watch.fis-ski.com/home
You can also use the YouTube app with the VPN running, and this works a charm on a smart TV or using a FireStick/Apple TV that lets you install the NordVPN app, and again selecting Lebanon or New Zealand you can stream live the races with English commentary and also catch-up on previous races that were streamed earlier in the day: https://www.youtube.com/user/FISAlpine
I personally use NordVPN and it's been great, works with Netflix and other services as well to access other geoblocked content. NordVPN currently are running a 74% off promo so its effect £2.29 a month over a 2 year membership. If you use Quidco there is cashback available, and if you have an AMEX card - there usually is an offer for further Cashback. All of this stacks, at least it has for me.
If you can't be bothered with the faff - a referral link here for 74% off and 3 months extra ( I get 3 as well if you sign-up - admin its early in the season to fall in a crevasse ):
https://refer-nordvpn.com/RAGWHOSmmFx
P.S. If you can't see the live races on the YouTube app / FIS TV then your VPN isn't working correctly
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@extremerob, you've just made my questions about VPNs and watching on demand completely redundant, thank you. I'll use your link
Interestingly, I've always turned off Nick Fellows when I had Eurosport, but this morning when my only option was FIS radio, I found his commentary absolutely brilliant at painting pictures in my mind
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
I'm watching on YouTube right now in the UAE with English commentary so you can also select that if Lebanon or NZ don't work.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Just finished catching up on the race today, great to watch, and gets the excitment building!
Discovery+ Austrian account with commentary switched to English worked a treat, and only €9 a month so no complaints there.
I suspect Sölden will be rocking tonight especially as tomorrow is Austria National day and a public holiday.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
I watched it off YouTube without needing a VPN.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Atomic Ski Users YouTube Channel currently has the ladies 1st and 2nd run to watch without a VPN. 2nd run has no commentary though.
I failed miserably this morning watching the ladies race without first seeing the winners name plastered everywhere.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
I've cracked and subscribed to TNT, only to find out the men's 2nd run is delayed but most likely going to be cancelled due to the snow storm.
Just my luck
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Oddly its still counting down to the normal start time on FIS TV
Back to the weekend household chores then.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Currently saying that the 2nd run start is delayed until 12:45 UK time.....
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@Alastair Pink, it was. Only Odermatt didn’t seem to lose time at the bottom.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Another enjoyable race.
More of the same for Odermatt, good to see Schwarz right up there, almost making it a double Austria weekend, with today being Austria National Day.
Didn't think Freddy Carrick-Smith looked out of place, especially the warzone conditions he was coming down in. I'd imagine some Europa cup experience for him this season with perhaps the odd World Cup race?
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Blizzard and cold in Sölden. I’ve watched this opening weekend all the way back to Eberharter/Maier, in recent years it was often warm with brown slopes away from the WC run. Great to see.
@ster, same as usual. last year Solden was 26th October, next race was Levi on 16th November. from memory there is always a gap. Austrian National day is 26th October so I wonder if they hold the race around then because its a public holiday and people will be able to attend?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
holidayloverxx wrote:
@ster, same as usual. last year Solden was 26th October, next race was Levi on 16th November. from memory there is always a gap. Austrian National day is 26th October so I wonder if they hold the race around then because it's a public holiday and people will be able to attend?
If I am not mistaken at some point was New Zealand not part of the circuit with a very late August race and then a huge gape to November in North America?
@ster, same as usual. last year Solden was 26th October, next race was Levi on 16th November. from memory there is always a gap. Austrian National day is 26th October so I wonder if they hold the race around then because its a public holiday and people will be able to attend?
I know there was always this gap between the first weekend and the next, but just found it strange. I wondered if there was a reason.
Watching Mikaela at Levi is fantastic, the way she generates speed on this hill must even baffle her competitors. Colturi looking strong too, I suspect she has a strong future in front of her
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Statement of intent from Mikaela.
1.66s winning margin, the others have much to think about!
After all it is free
After all it is free
Stunning from stunning Shiffrin, an astonishing time gap, textbook technique.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Already looks like its a competition for second.
The course looked like it held up well, no huge ruts at the end. I see they are persisting with the rather superfluous gate counter, but at times it can’t cope and disappears.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
The alpine nations will be wondering what on earth is going on.
2 British men in the top 7, 3 running in the second leg....fantastic!!
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
):
