The history of the World Alpine Skiing Cup was dominated by the names of iconic figures who dominated slopes, capturing the hearts and attention of fans worldwide. From Mikaela Shiffrin to Alexis Pinturault, we all know these household names currently competing on the runs. But what about retired legends that are no longer on our TV screens?
Most famous skiers live relatively private lives away from the public eye. This sets them apart from other popular sportsmen, such as football players, filling headlines as we speak. At the same time, it might make it harder to learn where they are now, years after they’ve carved their names into the annals of skiing history.
So, let’s remind ourselves of some of the most famous past World Cup winners and see where they are today. Some of their endeavors might surprise you. Let’s get started!
Ingemar Stenmark (Sweden)
Ingemar Stenmark is often regarded as the best Alpine skier ever. His record certainly speaks volumes itself: an unprecedented 86 World Cup race victories compiled in his storied career, the most for any male skier to this very date. As of 2024, this success has only been beaten by Mikaela Shiffrin.
During his peak in the late 1970s and early 1980s, he took whole seasons of slalom and giant slalom events almost single-handedly. His success even includes two Olympic gold medals, which he won in 1980.
Where Is He Now?
Ingemar Stenmark has led a considerably quieter life since he retired from competition in 1989. He lives a private life in his native Sweden (after living in Monaco for several decades), limiting his public appearances to skiing events and interviews and occasionally participating in charity or celebrity ski races.
Sometimes, his engagements involve endorsements or collaborations with brands in skiing or sports equipment. In 2015, he participated in a reality show “Let’s Dance”, where he teamed up with professional dancer Cecilia Ehrling.
Lindsey Vonn (USA)
Lindsey Vonn is regarded as the most successful female alpine skier in history, having secured 82 World Cup race wins. She has competed almost for two decades and won a record four overall World Cup titles: 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012.
Vonn competed in speed events and specialized in downhill and super-G, winning the Olympic gold medal in downhill in 2010.
Where Is She Now?
Since retiring from competitive skiing in 2019, Lindsey Vonn has kept busy. She transitioned into a much more varied career that covered media appearances, sports commentary, and business projects.
Vonn has been an analyst in some of the major skiing events and often gets involved with the sport through commentating and making public appearances. She also released her memoir titled “Rise: My Story,” where she shared events of her career and personal struggles.
At the same time, Vonn is involved in philanthropic work through the Lindsey Vonn Foundation, which empowers young girls. She has also ventured into business with collaborations and endorsements in the fitness and wellness sectors.
Annemarie Moser-Proell (Austria)
Annemarie Moser-Pröll is the most prominent women skier of the 70s. She excels in alpine skiing, holding the record for six World Cup titles. Her 62 World Cup victories came mostly in downhill and giant slalom events.
The supremacy of Moser-Pröll during the 1970s was unrivaled, as she won five successive overall titles from 1971 to 1975 and a sixth in 1979. She also won an Olympic gold in downhill at the 1980 Lake Placid Games. With her powerful style and consistency, Moser-Pröll is considered one of the greatest ever in skiing history.
Where Is She Now?
After retiring from competitive skiing in the 1980s, Moser-Pröll leads a quiet life away from the spotlight. She used to run her own cafe called “Weltcup-Café Annemarie” which she sold when her husband died in 2009.
Besides her occasional appearances at skiing events, she doesn’t show up on cameras or in the media and seems to enjoy life with her children and grandchildren.
Vreni Schneider (Switzerland)
Vreni Schneider is a Swiss legend in alpine skiing, famous for her technical supremacy in slalom and giant slalom.
She won 55 World Cup races during the two decades of the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s. Schneider has also won the overall World Cup three times, in 1989, 1994, and 1995, and won an incredible total of six World Championships and three Olympic medals, including Olympic golds in 1988 in slalom and in 1994 in giant slalom.
Where Is She Now?
Today, Schneider operates a ski and snowboard school in Elm, Switzerland, where she shares her expertise and passion with new generations of competitors.
She also periodically attends some public events and gives interviews whenever she reminisces about her career while contributing her opinions to the skiing fraternity.
Aksel Lund Svindal (Norway)
Aksel Lund Svindal is a celebrated Norwegian alpine skier known for his success in speed events like downhill and super-G.
Over his career, he accumulated 36 World Cup victories and won two overall World Cup titles (2007, 2009).
Svindal also earned five World Championship gold medals and secured two Olympic golds, including the downhill in 2018, making him the first Norwegian to achieve that feat.
Where Is He Now?
Aksel Lund Svindal has dabbled with quite a number of projects since retiring from competitive skiing in 2019. He was busy as an entrepreneur, investor, and sports and wellness activist. Svindal started a sportswear start-up focused on sustainability, and he privately invests in both technology and environmentally friendly ventures.
Svindal is also a brand ambassador for Porsche and is going on annual ski trips to Kitzbuhel with the company’s team. One of his best friends remains Kjetil Jansrud, who has beaten him in his final race.
Hermann Maier (Austria)
Known as the “Herminator,” Hermann Maier is an Austrian skiing legend dominant in the 1990s and early 2000s. He had a total of 54 World Cup victories throughout his career and took four overall World Cup titles: 1998, 2000, 2001, and 2004.
Maier is a master in multiple events, especially super-G and downhill disciplines, with incomparable power and technique. He won two Olympic golds in 1998, in giant slalom and super-G, despite a famous crash in the downhill event.
His remarkable comeback from a near-fatal motorcycle accident in 2001 cemented his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest athletes.
Where Is He Now?
Despite his retirement from competitive skiing in 2009, Hermann Maier remained close to the sport, often participating in commentary and analysis for major ski events. In addition, Maier co-owns a sports apparel company and pursues other business initiatives within Austria.
He also spends his time promoting skiing and encouraging young talent in various ways. Off the limelight, Maier enjoys being outdoors and engaging in other sporting activities, especially when his family is involved.
Alberto Tomba (Italy)
Alberto Tomba, more famously known as “La Bomba,” is one of the most memorable and popular skiers of his time. Throughout his career, he won two overall World Cup titles, in 1988 and 1995, and earned 50 World Cup victories.
With a dynamic skiing style, his charismatic personality made him outstanding during the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s. He also won two Olympic gold medals in 1988—two in slalom and giant slalom—and four World Championship golds.
Where Is He Now?
Having retired in 1998, Tomba turned to other business endeavors—most notably, acting. He appeared in several Italian movies and TV shows, including starring in “Alex l’ariete.” He also sells his own fragrance, “Indecente,” and has various business interests, including a development project for a ski resort.
Tomba still occasionally appears in the media, where he reminisces over his glittering career. He is also involved with charities, particularly those dealing with sporting issues and the welfare of young people.
Marcel Hirscher (Austria)
Marcel Hirscher is known for winning eight consecutive overall World Cup titles from 2012 through 2019—the first male skier on record to do so.
Remarkably dominant in slalom and giant slalom, he won 67 World Cup races in those disciplines. He also won two Olympic gold medals in 2018 and seven World Championship golds.
Where Is He Now?
Since his retirement from competitive skiing in 2019, Marcel Hirscher has been devoting himself to further business and personal projects. The retiree entered the automotive industry and has been involved with “Audi,” being an ambassador and brand partner of the company.
In addition, in his spare time, he participates in several supportive activities within the sport: Hirscher has his own foundation that supports young talents and occasionally provides commentary for events in skiing.
Bode Miller (USA)
With his fearless and aggressive style, Bode Miller won 33 races in all disciplines at the World Cup, turning him into one of the most successful US skiers of all time.
Miller took an overall World Cup title in 2005, along with a host of medals from the World Championships and Olympics, including a gold medal in the super-G during the Vancouver Olympics in 2010.
Where Is He Now?
After he retired from competitive skiing in 2017, Bode Miller dedicated his time to business ventures and personal interests. He has been involved in developing a ski and snowboard brand, working on high-performance equipment. He coaches and mentors young athletes and is promoting skiing overall.
He has also participated in charity initiatives through the Bode Miller Foundation for children’s education and sports programs. Furthermore, he’s raising kids with his wife, Morgan, showing a good balance between work and private life.
Jean-Claude Killy (France)
Lastly, we have Jean-Claude Killy, the legendary French skier. In the 1960s, he dominated alpine skiing, winning three gold medals in the Winter Olympics of Grenoble in 1968: downhill, giant slalom, and combined.
Besides that, in 1967, he became the first-ever winner of the World Cup in the overall standings. Killy won 18 World Cup events in all disciplines: downhill, slalom, and giant slalom.
With his powerful package of speed, technical ability, and psychological strength, he became an icon in the sport.
Where Is He Now?
Now in his 80s, Jean-Claude Killy is still quite active in skiing affairs, though he has largely shied away from the public eye.
Business ventures, mainly in ski resort development and sports management, are two areas where Killy can be spotted. He has served in various capacities in the International Olympic Committee, citing experience in organizational endeavors.
Further, Killy continues enjoying his love of skiing, usually in the French Alps. His legacy lives on as a skiing icon and administrator of sport.
