Levi Slalom 2025: Switzerland the favorite

The Swiss slalom skiers are aiming for the podium this weekend in the Arctic Circle.

LEVI, Finland This weekend, November 15th and 16th, 2025, the legendary Levi Black slope will host the first slalom races of the 2025-2026 Alpine Ski World Cup season. After a triumphant 2024-2025 season with several podium finishes and world titles, the Swiss team arrives in Lapland with high hopes. Between newly crowned world champions and skiers looking to prove themselves, Switzerland is the nation to beat.

Women's Slalom (Saturday, November 15): Camille Rast, from Favorite to Leader

Camille Rast The World Champion on a Mission

At 26, Camille Rast arrives in Levi basking in the glory of her world slalom championship title won in Saalbach last February. The Valais native enjoyed a dream 2024-2025 season that cemented her status as the leader of the Swiss women's team.

2024 results in Levi: 5th place (+1.31)

Last year, Rast equaled her best career result in Levi with a strong fifth-place finish, 1.31 seconds behind Mikaela Shiffrin. Seventh after the first run, 1.22 seconds back, she managed to limit the damage to secure this promising top-five finish.

Rapid progress in 2024-2025

The rest of the season was even more spectacular. Rast achieved her first World Cup podium in Gurgl (3rd place) and then won her first victory in Killington. She finished third in the slalom standings before taking world gold in Saalbach, confirming her place among the world elite.

Potential for 2025

With her confidence sky-high and her status as world champion, Camille Rast is now among the favorites for victory. The Levi Black course didn't particularly suit her before, but her technical and mental progress has changed everything. A podium finish, or even a win, is within reach.

Realistic goal: Top 3, with a possible victory

Mélanie Meillard: Regularity Personified

The Neuchâtel native, originally from Valais, has made Levi her favorite track. With five top-10 finishes on this course, she embodies consistency and efficiency.

2024 results in Levi: 7th place (+1 »43)

In her 100th World Cup start, Meillard achieved a strong seventh place last year. Tenth after the first run, she held her own in the second run despite losing 77 hundredths of a second to Emma Aicher.

2024-2025 Season

After Levi, she followed up with a 10th place in Gurgl, confirming her ability to regularly play in the top 10. This consistency makes her a reliable member of the Swiss team.

Potential for 2025

At 28, Mélanie Meillard has the maturity and experience to aim higher. On a course she knows like the back of her hand and where she feels comfortable, a first World Cup podium is no longer a pipe dream. The conditions will be crucial, but Meillard has proven she can compete with the best on this track.

Realistic goal: Top 8, with a potential podium finish if they have a perfect day

Wendy Holdener: The Powerful Comeback

Wendy Holdener's story in 2024-2025 is one of rebirth. After missing the entire 2023-2024 season due to a broken left ankle and a family tragedy, the Schwyz native made a spectacular comeback.

2024 results in Levi: 16th place (+2.75)

For her first slalom in almost a year, Holdener had a difficult start in Levi. Thirteenth after the first run, she dropped back to 16th place overall, unable to rediscover the form that had made her a regular on the podium.

The Resurrection at Gurgl

But the following week in Gurgl, Holdener showed she hadn't lost any of her skiing ability. After being the only skier to challenge Shiffrin in the first run (+0.13 seconds), she finished fourth, narrowly missing the podium. This result sent a clear message: Wendy was back.

Culmination at Saalbach

The highlight of her season was the silver medal at the World Championships in Saalbach in February, behind her compatriot Camille Rast. At 31, Holdener had proven that she remains one of the best slalom skiers in the world.

Potential for 2025

With a full year of training and competition behind her, Wendy Holdener arrives at Levi 2025 in much better condition than in 2024. Her track experience, gained from her many past podium finishes, and her regained confidence make her a serious contender for the podium.

Realistic goal: Top 5, with a potential podium finish

Amélie Klopfenstein: The Poker Player

The 24-year-old from Biel is making her return to the World Cup after a long absence due to a serious right knee injury. This will be only her third appearance at the elite level, a great opportunity to showcase the extent of her progress.

Objective: To qualify for the second round and gain experience

Women's Alpine Ski Program 2026

Men's Slalom (Sunday, November 16): Loïc Meillard, the Hungry World Champion

Loïc Meillard: The Man to Beat

The 29-year-old from Valais arrives in Levi with the status of world slalom champion, a title won in style in Saalbach after a dramatic final where Frenchman Clément Noël straddled a gate while leading.

2024 results in Levi: 3rd place (+0.95)

Last year, Meillard He had brilliantly opened his season with a podium finish in Levi, despite a back injury that had forced him to miss the giant slalom in Sölden. Just two hundredths of a second behind Noël after the first run, he held on to secure his seventh career slalom podium finish.

«"Injuries aren't just painful, they also limit training opportunities," he explained. "That's why it becomes all the more important to have two flawless runs."»

Triumphant 2024-2025 Season

After Levi, Meillard had strung together a series of good results before winning gold in Saalbach, his sixth world medal. This late triumph at 28 years old crowned years of excellence and constant progress.

Potential for 2025

At the peak of his powers and liberated by his world title, Loïc Meillard arrives in Levi with the ambition of securing his first victory at the Levi Black. He possesses the skiing ability, experience, and confidence necessary to compete with the best. His capacity to ski two solid runs makes him a credible favorite.

Facing him will be Clément Noël, seeking revenge after his straddle incident in Saalbach, Henrik Kristoffersen, always dangerous, and Manuel Feller, winner of the small globe 2024.

Realistic goal: Podium finish, with a possible victory

Tanguy Nef: The Expected Confirmation

The 29-year-old from Geneva caused a sensation last season with a fifth place at Levi 2024, his best career result in the World Cup.

2024 results in Levi: 5th place (+1.36)

Sixth after a remarkable first run where he shone in the steep section, Nef confirmed his form on the second run. "After two difficult winters, this performance feels amazing," he said, smiling.

2024-2025 Season

This fifth-place finish proved that the skier from Veyrier has the talent to compete with the best. Even if he hasn't managed to consistently replicate this result, he has shown that he can perform on the most demanding slopes.

Potential for 2025

The big question for Tanguy Nef is this: was his 2024 performance a one-off flash of brilliance or the start of a new era? At 29, he's entering his prime. Another top-10, or even top-5, finish would confirm that he's now among the elite of world slalom skiing.

Realistic objective: Top 15, with a potential top 10

Marc Rochat: Breaking the Finnish Curse

The 33-year-old from Vaud has a complicated relationship with Levi. That's an understatement.

2024 results in Levi: Eliminated in the first round

Last year, Rochat was eliminated in the first round, seemingly unable to drive his skis optimally on snow that clearly did not suit him.

The Bitter Realization

In six races at Levi, Rochat has only managed to complete both runs once. A cruel statistic for a skier of his caliber. Something about this course or these conditions isn't working for him, and he'll have to find the key to unlocking the situation.

Potential for 2025

At 33, Rochat knows time is running out. This race in Levi represents an opportunity to break his losing streak and prove he can perform anywhere. Even a simple points finish (top 30) would be a success, given his track record.

Realistic objective: Finish both rounds and score points

Daniel Yule and Ramon Zenhäusern: Rediscovering the Summits

The two Valais natives had a mixed 2024-2025 season and arrive in Levi with the ambition to revive their season.

2024 Review in Levi

Daniel Yule: 22nd place (+2.17 seconds) after dropping back in the second run. Ramon Zenhäusern: 20th place (+2.02 seconds), also dropping back.

Potential for 2025

Both men have the qualities to regularly finish in the top 15. Yule, winner in Chamonix in 2023, possesses the speed to compete with the best. Zenhäusern, on the other hand, needs to rediscover the confidence that made him a slalom specialist. A points finish would be a good start to the season.

Realistic goal: Top 20 for both, with a potential top 15

Men's ski program for the 2026 season

Adversity: Who Can Beat the Swiss?

Women's Side

Mikaela Shiffrin The American remains the undisputed queen of Levi with eight victories on the track. She is the overwhelming favorite, but Rast and Holdener have what it takes to beat her.

Lena Dürr The German, runner-up in the 2024 Crystal Globe, will be dangerous.

Zrinka Ljutic The 21-year-old Croatian continues her meteoric rise.

Katharina Liensberger The Austrian can still aim for the podium.

Men's Side

Clément Noël The French Olympic champion will want to erase the memory of his Saalbach incident. Winner in Levi in 2024, he remains the favorite.

Henrik Kristoffersen The Norwegian, a two-time winner in Levi (2015, 2019), loves this track.

Manuel Feller The Austrian, holder of the small globe, brings his legendary consistency.

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen The Brazilian (formerly Norwegian) could cause an upset.

The Stakes of the Race for the Crystal Sphere

These first slaloms of the season are crucial for launching the battle for the small crystal globe. With 10 slaloms scheduled this season, every race counts.

Women's Side

Camille Rast is aiming for her first Crystal Globe. With her world title already secured, she has what it takes to compete with Shiffrin throughout the season. Wendy Holdener, if she returns to her best form, can also be a contender.

Men's Side

Loïc Meillard has never won the slalom crystal globe, despite several seasons at a high level. This year could be his year. With his world title and his maturity, he has everything he needs to finally win this trophy that has eluded him.

The Levi Black Runway: A Unique Challenge

Technical Specifications

Elevation gain : 208 meters
Length Approximately 450 meters
Number of doors : 50-60 (depending on the plotter)
Starting altitude : 531 meters
Type of snow Artificial, very hard and compact

Snow Farming: An Ecological Achievement

More than 60,000 m³ of snow preserved since spring ensures a perfect surface despite increasingly mild winters. This year, despite an exceptionally warm autumn, the FIS gave its approval after the snow control on November 6th.

The Traps of Levi Black

The departure Very steep, it demands total commitment from the very first meters
The central wall A very rhythmic section where gaps are made
The bottom of the route Often tricky, it has cost many podium finishes.

Weekend Program

Friday, November 14th

2:30 pm: Children's race on the slopes of Levi
6:30 PM: World Cup Opening Ceremony at Zero Point
7:00 PM: Public draw for women's race bibs
11:30 PM: World Cup After Party at the Hullu Poro Arena

Saturday, November 15 – Women's Slalom

10:00 AM: Race area and Lapland Avenue open
11:00 AM: First round
2:00 PM: Second round
~3:45 PM: Awards Ceremony
4:00 PM: Event area closes

Sunday, November 16 – Men's Slalom

10:00 AM: Race area and Lapland Avenue open
11:00 AM: First round
2:00 PM: Second round
~3:45 PM: Awards Ceremony
4:00 PM: Event area closes

Where to Watch the Races?

In Switzerland

RTS 2 and SRF 2 (live)
Streaming on Play RTS and Play SRF

In France

Eurosport 1 and 2
Discovery+ streaming

International

Eurosport across Europe

Next meeting: Gurgl

After Levi, the slalom skiers will have a week to recover before the next event in Gurgl, Austria, on November 22nd and 23rd. This slope generally suits the Swiss better, particularly Camille Rast, who achieved her first podium finish there in 2024.

Conclusion: Switzerland in a Position of Strength

Switzerland has rarely approached the start of the slalom season with so many strengths. Between Camille Rast and Loïc Meillard, the reigning world champions, Wendy Holdener back on top, Mélanie Meillard consistent as clockwork, and Tanguy Nef capable of surprises, the Swiss delegation can legitimately aim for several podium finishes this weekend.

The Levi Black run, with its 208-meter vertical drop and formidable steep section, will host the first major event of the season. Conditions will be identical for everyone, the snow will be perfect thanks to snow farming, and only talent, courage, and technique will make the difference.

For Swiss skiers, the message is clear: the 2025-2026 season must build on the successes of 2024-2025. The World Championships in Saalbach showcased the potential of this generation. Now, they must translate those world titles into consistent World Cup victories.

Join us this weekend at the foot of the Arctic Circle for the first chapter of what promises to be an exciting season. Levi Black awaits its new owners. Could this be a Swiss affair?

Key Points to Remember

Women's Favorites

Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) – Queen of Levi
Camille Rast (SUI) – World Champion
Lena Dürr (GER) – 2024 Small Globe Runner-up
Wendy Holdener (SUI) – World Silver Medalist
Mélanie Meillard (SUI) – Levi specialist, a first podium finish would be incredible to kick off the season!