President's New Year Message 2024

Another year begins – and it’s a big one for FIS. A century ago, a group of delegates met in the Hotel Majestic in Chamonix to start a new international skiing federation. It was the first step on a momentous journey.

It is a journey that has taken snow sports from European pastime to global passion. It has taken the federation from 14 member states to 135; from 3 disciplines to 13; from a handful of events a year to over 7000. It is a journey that has seen skiing transformed, snowboarding adopted, and the growth of snow sports across the world.

Along the way there has been incalculable excitement and emotion – and this year we will celebrate all those who have made it happen. That means not only the athletes who have thrilled us with their performances, but the federations, partners, media, staff, sponsors and fans whose passion and hard work have fuelled the growth of winter sports.

For me and the FIS leadership, this year is an opportunity not only to look back but to look forwards. As we survey all the great strides that our predecessors at FIS made, we’re asking “How can we make the next century as spectacular as the last? How can we keep our sport sustainable in a changing world? How can we engage a new generation of fans?”

This year we’ll be saying more about our vision for the decades to come, from the concrete actions we’re taking on sustainability to the exciting new digital plans we have to make skiing and snowboarding even more compelling for people around the world. As our Secretary General Michel Vion has said: “Inspired by the great strides made by our predecessors, we are determined to build on that legacy with even more dynamic plans for the coming century.”

Above all, this year I want the celebrations to be about all of us. Building FIS into a huge, continent-spanning operation was not the work of a few people but of countless members of the snow sports family. This year will highlight their passion, their commitment, and their contribution to the extraordinary 100-year journey of FIS. We have made it this far together – now, it’s time to celebrate together.