The exhilarating world of Alpine skiing, showcased during the Milano Cortina Olympics, faces a growing challenge: prohibitive costs are pushing aspiring young athletes out of the sport. For most skiers in the International Ski and Snowboard Federation World Cup and Europa Cup, sponsors alleviate expenses. However, for those beginning their journey, families bear the full financial burden.
Experts estimate annual costs for a mid-level 16-year-old talent can exceed 20,000 euros. This includes coaching, ski club fees, multiple pairs of skis, travel, race entries, and ski passes. "Skiing is becoming more and more a sport for the rich, and rising costs are discouraging many families - this is already a problem," stated Andorra's women's team captain Roger Vidosa. While some clubs in countries like Andorra invest in promising young skiers, this support is not universal.
In Italy, despite a large youth talent pool, neither the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) nor local ski clubs can fully fund young athletes due to the immense expense. Families must invest heavily for years before an athlete might reach a level eligible for national team consideration. Financial improvement often comes with joining a military sports group upon entering the World Cup or Europa Cup, offering a modest salary.
"In Italy, sponsorships are managed personally by the athlete and, for example, in the Europa Cup securing one is not easy," noted Paolo Deflorian, technical director of the FISI youth sector. Consequently, Alpine skiing is increasingly an elite sport, with participants now more likely to come from affluent urban backgrounds rather than traditional mountain communities.
In Cortina, a prestigious Italian Alps resort, ski clubs have seen declining membership. Adolfo Menardi, president of the Cortina ski club, cited rising costs and demographic decline as key factors. To address the financial barriers, a local Soroptimist chapter is offering a 1,000-euro scholarship for promising young female skiers starting in the 2024-25 season.
Despite these challenges, there are signs of change. Italy is seeing an increase in athletes from its southern regions, where skiing tradition is less established but talent is emerging. Giada D'Antonio, a rising star on Italy's women's alpine team, hails from Naples, demonstrating that potential can emerge from unexpected places.