Swiss Skiers Win Record 17 Olympic Medals in Italy

Switzerland's national ski team just wrapped up the greatest season in its 122-year history, and the entire country is celebrating.

At the Winter Olympics in Northern Italy earlier this year, Swiss-Ski athletes shattered records by winning 17 medals. The haul marks the most successful Olympic performance the Swiss snow sports association has ever achieved.

But the Olympic glory was just one highlight in an extraordinary season. Swiss skiers claimed 111 World Cup podium finishes across nine different sports and took home six Crystal Globes, the ultimate prize for World Cup champions. Switzerland also defended its title in the Alpine Skiing World Cup Nations Cup standings for another year.

On Saturday, the association gathered in Schangnau to honor the athletes who made it all possible. The celebration doubled as a farewell for six retiring champions who ended their careers on top, including freeskier Fabian Bösch and alpine skier Andrea Ellenberger. All six received honorary membership in Swiss-Ski for their contributions to Swiss snow sports.

The organization also made history by naming Urs Lehmann its first-ever honorary president. During his 17 years leading Swiss-Ski from 2008 to 2025, athletes won 45 Olympic medals, reached 205 World Championship podiums, and celebrated 173 World Cup crystal globes.

The Ripple Effect

The success on the slopes has created stability off them too. Strong sporting results and long-term partnerships have given Swiss-Ski a solid financial foundation, with the organization reporting a surplus of nearly 90,000 Swiss francs this year. That financial health means more investment in grassroots programs, research, training, and technology to support the next generation of Swiss skiing talent.

Current Swiss-Ski President Peter Barandun says the focus now is maintaining excellence in sports where Switzerland already leads while unlocking potential in others. The country gets another chance to shine at home next season when Crans-Montana hosts the Alpine Ski World Championships in 2027.

For a small nation of just 8.7 million people, Switzerland continues to prove that investing in winter sports pays dividends in national pride, athletic achievement, and inspiration for young skiers dreaming of their own Olympic moments.