One of the greatest alpine skiers of his generation, Alexis Pinturault, has announced he will retire from competitive skiing at the end of the 2025–26 season, bringing an end to a remarkable career that has spanned more than 15 years at the top of the sport. “The last run of a lifetime adventure will be on 24 March 2026,” Pinturault wrote in a message on social media, confirming that the World Cup Finals will mark the closing chapter of his racing career.
The 34-year-old French star has long been one of the most versatile and consistent racers on the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup circuit. Over the course of his career, he has amassed 34 World Cup victories, 77 podium finishes, and 355 World Cup starts, making him the most successful French male skier in World Cup history. His storied career also includes the Overall World Cup title in 2021, a Giant Slalom crystal globe, and four Alpine Combined discipline globes. On the global championship stage, he captured three World Championship titles and eight World Championship medals, while also earning three Olympic medals.
Pinturault grew up in Courchevel, where his father Claude owns the Hotel Annapurna. His mother Hege hails from Norway, giving Pinturault dual citizenship. The 34-year-old made his debut on the World Cup circuit in 2009 just days before his 18th birthday and claimed his first podium two years later, just days shy of his 20th birthday.
Pinturault said the decision to retire came after careful reflection, particularly following his return from injury. “I thought about it for a long time, especially after returning from injury,” he said. “I knew at the beginning of the season that it would be my last, but I didn’t want to say it too early.”
Throughout his career, Pinturault was known for his technical mastery across multiple disciplines, particularly giant slalom and alpine combined, and for his consistency over more than a decade on the World Cup tour. He used to compete in all four alpine skiing disciplines, but announced he would stop competing in slalom in 2023 to focus on the speed disciplines. His most successful discipline was giant slalom in which he won 18 World Cup victories.
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) paid tribute to the French skier following his announcement, calling him “one of the greatest skiers of his generation, whose legacy will remain in the history of alpine skiing.”
The French Ski Federation praised Pinturault’s impact on the sport, describing him as “a skiing monument” who carried the colors of French skiing for more than 15 years. “Crystal globes, world titles, Olympic medals—but above all a level of dedication and consistency that marked an entire generation,” the federation said. “The most victorious French World Cup skier in history bows out. Thank you Alexis for all the emotions and inspiration you have given to ski fans.”
His announcement on social media was met by an outpouring of love and support from fellow World Cup skiers, sponsors, and fans. Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt shared that he had a poster of Pinturault in his room as a kid, “Some years later we had our first battles and you became a first rival and a friend.” Germany’s Linus Strasser called him “one of the best skiers this sport has ever seen,” while Lindsey Vonn also acknowledged “an incredible career,” adding, “Chapeau”—the French expression for “hats off.”
Pinturault’s last race will be the Giant Slalom on March 24 at Lillehammer, Norway.
