As the chill of the Arctic Circle settles over the snow-dusted slopes of Levi, the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup ignites its technical heart with a festive flourish. American superstar Mikaela Shiffrin has fired the starting gun on social media, declaring “IT’S RACE WEEK” alongside the event hashtags #fisalpine #worldcuplevi, setting the tone for a weekend brimming with high-stakes slalom action and holiday cheer.
The 60th edition of the World Cup calendar marks Levi as the early-season slalom epicenter, hosting women’s and men’s events on November 15-16. Women’s slalom kicks off Saturday with the first run at 11:00 CET, followed by the second at 14:00 CET, and the men’s counterpart follows Sunday on the same Levi Black piste. Award ceremonies and a public bib draw add to the buzz, capped by after-parties featuring Finnish rock acts like Black Devils’ Hurriganes tribute. This Lapland tradition, where winners claim a live reindeer as their prize, blends world-class racing with whimsical Nordic magic—Shiffrin herself has amassed a veritable herd over the years.
For Shiffrin, the two-time Olympic champion and record-holding 100-win World Cup phenom, Levi is hallowed ground. The 30-year-old Coloradan boasts a staggering seven victories here, the most by any skier at a single venue in slalom history.6a363a Her latest triumph came in 2024, extending a dominance that includes back-to-back wins in 2023 and a record sixth in 2022. “Levi’s course demands precision and power—it’s where legends are forged,” Shiffrin said in a pre-event interview, alluding to her unbreakable bond with the resort. Fresh off a strong Sölden opener, she’s the prohibitive favorite to chase an eighth Levi crown, a feat that would etch her name deeper into the annals of alpine lore.
Yet, the field pulses with challengers eager to dethrone the queen. Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener, a three-time world champion with multiple Levi podiums, looms as a tactical threat, her smooth carving often peaking in tight gates. Slovakia’s Petra Vlhová, the 2024 slalom Crystal Globe winner and a five-time Levi podium finisher, brings raw speed and resilience after a season of highs and hurdles. Germany’s Lena Dürr, with four third-place finishes and a runner-up here, craves that elusive victory at 34, while young guns like Croatia’s Mia Ljutic—last season’s slalom standout—and Switzerland’s Aline Rast, the reigning world champion, signal an era-shifting rivalry. Emerging talents such as Italy’s Nicol Colturi and American Paula Moltzan round out a deep roster, promising upsets amid the powder.
On the men’s side, Sunday’s showdown features Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen, a two-time Levi victor hungry for redemption after a mixed Sölden. France’s Clément Noël, the defending slalom champ with four early-season wins last year, eyes the reindeer prize, joined by Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard and Austria’s Manuel Feller in a battle of veterans. Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, the flamboyant 2023 slalom king now racing under his nation’s flag, adds flair and firepower, while dark horses like Norway’s Timon Haugan and Bulgaria’s Albert Popov inject unpredictability.
Organizers report optimal conditions after a mild autumn tested snowmaking crews, with 70% recycled base and fresh flurries ensuring a “guaranteed Levi quality” course. FIS technical delegates gave the green light on November 6, paving the way for 85 women from 25 nations and a comparable men’s contingent to carve through 65 gates each run.
Fans worldwide can catch the action live on Eurosport, Warner Bros. Discovery platforms in Europe, and NBC/Peacock in the U.S., with global streams via FIS channels. As Shiffrin’s emoji-laden post evokes Santa’s sleigh amid the stakes, Levi 2025 promises not just races, but a reindeer-fueled renaissance for slalom’s golden era. Who will claim the holiday hardware? The gates drop soon to reveal all.
