FIS Boosts Safety Measures Ahead of 2026 Olympics After Skiers’ Deaths

^{Pictured: Paralympic skier Federico Pelizzari wearing a Dainese airbag vest during training}

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) plans to strengthen safety measures in alpine skiing ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, FIS chief executive Urs Lehmann said in an interview with Reuters.

Lehmann said the federation is reviewing existing safety practices both during competitions and training sessions.

As part of the changes, FIS intends to extend the mandatory use of protective vests with integrated airbags* to a wider range of training sessions, without exemptions for individual athletes.

Such vests have already been compulsory since the 2024/25 season at World Cup events in speed disciplines and during official training sessions. A video shows how the vest operates:

Lehmann also said FIS has launched a large-scale audit of safety systems across 140 national federations. The review assesses whether dedicated safety officers are in place and whether safety-related modules are included in coach education programmes.

The increased focus on safety follows a series of fatal incidents in recent years. Italian skier Matteo Franzoso, 25, died in September 2025 after a fall during a training session in Chile. He suffered a severe head injury and died several days later in hospital. Earlier, in October 2024, 19-year-old Italian skier Matilde Lorenzi was killed after sustaining fatal injuries in a fall during giant slalom training.

Preparations for the 2026 Olympics have added to the urgency. The men’s events will be held on the Stelvio course, where downhill speeds can reach up to 150 km/h. The slope is regarded as one of the most challenging on the World Cup calendar.

Experts say the greatest risks often arise during training, particularly outside World Cup events, noting that protective netting and safety barriers on training slopes are frequently less robust than those used during official races.

Beyond airbag systems, FIS is also considering other safety measures, including the development of “smart” ski** bindings designed to release earlier in falls, changes to boot design, and possible increases in the thickness of racing suits.

Skis with smart bindings

*The system automatically detects a fall and inflates the airbag within fractions of a second, reducing the risk of serious injuries to the chest and upper body.

**Bindings that use electronic systems to detect dangerous falls more quickly and release the ski before an injury occurs.