An unmissable fixture of the ski cross season for several years, the Veysonnaz races have produced many iconic moments in the sport’s history. The World Cup returns again this year, providing an exceptional setting for racing to resume after a long break.
Every year, the Veysonnaz races deliver suspense from start to finish. This season’s competition should once again provide moments that will live long in the memory.
The Veysonnaz World Cup stop and its finals bring together 32 men and 16 women from the world’s ski cross elite. Racing four at a time, the athletes will hurtle down a fast course packed with technical obstacles.
Its name is legendary: the Piste de l’Ours. Year after year, it surprises even some of the world’s best skiers, despite their familiarity with its challenges.
A test before the Olympics
The 2025/26 ski cross season will be unlike any other. It is an Olympic year, with Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo hosting the 2026 Games. The ski cross events will take place on 20 and 21 February 2026 in Livigno.
The Olympic qualification period ends on 19 January 2026, just four days before the first Veysonnaz race. Athletes will no longer be able to qualify for the Olympic Games during this race weekend.
However, after several weeks off, the world’s best skiers will have an opportunity to test themselves before the most important competition of the year. The weekend will reveal a great deal about their current form.
The Swiss team seeking redemption
Last year, the Piste de l’Ours smiled on Youri Duplessis Kergomard in the men’s competition. Beaten only by Simone Deromedis in the first race, the Frenchman won the second, collecting 180 out of a possible 200 points in a single weekend.
The task proved more difficult than expected for the Swiss team. Tobias Baur, the top Swiss finisher in the first race, placed only 13th after going out in the quarter-finals. The next day, the Swiss skiers improved slightly, with Ryan Regez, Tobias Baur and Martin Gil qualifying for the small final.
In the women’s competition, Marielle Thompson dominated the Veysonnaz weekend. The Canadian won both races, ahead of Daniela Maier each time. The only bright spot for the Swiss team was Fanny Smith’s third place in the second race.
This year, the Swiss men and women will therefore arrive determined to win on a course where victory eluded them last season. But it will not be easy.
The favourites will be there
In the women’s competition, Sandra Naeslund will undoubtedly be the leading favourite for both races. The Swede won four of the first five races of the season. Fanny Smith will try to lead the Swiss challenge, alongside Saskja Lack and Talina Gantenbein.
The men’s competition looks likely to be closer, although two names stand out: Reece Howden and Simone Deromedis. The Canadian won the last three races, while the Italian began the season in sparkling form.
Excellent in Innichen, Alex Fiva hopes to upset the favourites on home snow. The 39-year-old from Graubünden has never won in Veysonnaz, but he has already tasted podium success here, finishing second in 2024.
