The Ski Racers Who Earned the Most Prize Money for the 2024-25 FIS Alpine World Cup Season

Winners are grinners: Italy’s Federica Brignone earned the most prize money in the 2024-25 season. | Image: FIS Alpine

Alpine skiing has always been the FIS discipline where the most prize money is awarded. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) stipulates that the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of each race makes available at least CHF 144,000 (USD 174,552) for prize money (excluding VAT). This prize money is divided between the 30 best competitors. Up until the 2023-24 season, first place at most FIS Alpine races was decorated with CHF 50,000, however this was then reduced to CHF 47,000 and the funds redistributed to lower ranking athletes. Notably, FIS rules stipulate equal minimum prize money for men and women across all World Cup events, underscoring a commitment to gender equality in the sport.

Related: Stifel U.S. Ski Team Increases Prize Money by 30% at Alpine World Cup Events in the United States

Federica Brignone and Marco Odermatt were by far the highest earning ski racers this season. | Image: Olympics

While the minimum total prize money is set by FIS, each LOC is free to offer more. In Kitzbühel, Austria, first place is awarded CHF 100,000 as each race at this popular event distributes €333,500 among the top 30 finishers. According to FIS Communications Coordinator Louise Seppey, Kitzbühel is an exception due to lucrative sponsorship deals, and financial backing, allowing them to offer a record-breaking prize fund. Unfortunately for female Alpine racers, there is no women’s race that offers such lucrative deals. The highest prize money for first place in a women’s race is currently Killington, which awards CHF 58,000 to the victor. Saalbach, Austria, is a close second, with CHF 57,600 for first place. According to Seppey, the total prize money up for distribution at these races “is awarded based on multiple factors like sponsorship agreements, broadcasting revenue, and other financial supports.”

Alice Robinson (NZL) high-fives Doug Lewis at the Bib Draw in Killington, which currently offers the highest prize money for women with CHF 58,000. | Image: Killington

Despite the inequality in terms of top prize money, it is a female ski racer who holds the record for the most prize money earned in a single season, which is held by none other than USA’s Mikaela Shiffrin. During the 2022-23 season, Shiffrin amassed a record-breaking CHF 964,200 (USD 1.04 million) from World Cup races. In addition, Shiffrin won a further CHF 114,000 at the World Championships, taking her earnings past the CHF 1 million marker. The men’s record for most prize money earned in one FIS World Cup Alpine season is held by Marco Odermatt, who managed to amass the record amount of CHF 941,200 in the same season. Breaking these records may become increasingly difficult due to the CHF 3,000 reduction in first-place prize money.

Related: Shiffrin Earns More Than $1 Million in Prize Money in 22/23 World Cup Season

In the 2024-25 season, Swiss athletes dominated the men’s prize money rankings, with Marco Odermatt leading the pack—once again—by earning CHF 725,640 (approximately USD 881,000). He was followed by compatriots Loïc Meillard (CHF 376,550 / USD 457,000) and Franjo von Allmen (CHF 327,750 / USD 398,000), highlighting Switzerland’s strong presence in alpine skiing. The highest earning male U.S. ski racer was Ryan Cochran-Siegle who ranks 40th with CHF 38,250 in prize money for the 2024-25 season.

Related: Marco Odermatt Ends Season with 4th Consecutive Overall FIS Alpine World Cup Season Title

Marco Odermatt with his crystal haul from the 2024-25 season. | Image: Marco Odermatt Instagram

On the women’s side, Italy’s Federica Brignone topped the earnings list with CHF 679,100 (USD 825,000), followed by Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami (CHF 356,190 / USD 433,000) and Italy’s Sofia Goggia (CHF 262,690 / USD 319,000). The highest earning U.S. ski racer was Mikaela Shiffrin who came in sixth place with CHF 219,590 (USD 267,000). The comparably low ranking for Shiffrin is due to her inability to compete for several months due to her injury she sustained in Killington, Vermont, in November 2024. The next highest U.S. earners were Lauren Macuga in 12th place with CHF 139,390 and Paula Moltzan in 15th place with CHF 121,700 in prize money.

These figures reflect not only the athletes’ exceptional performances but also the sport’s ongoing efforts to ensure equitable recognition and reward for competitors, regardless of gender.