Christian Mitter back as ÖSV Alpine boss: New era for ski teams!

Christian Mitter back as ÖSV Alpine boss: New era for ski teams!

On April 23, 2025, Christian Mitter was officially introduced as the new alpine boss of the Austrian Ski Association (ÖSV). Mitter, who worked as head coach of the ÖSV women from 2019 to 2022, is now returning to an association that plays an important role in international skiing. His return was favored by the positive performance of the ÖSV teams during the home World Cup in Saalbach-Hinterglemm in February 2023. He previously worked at the competition in Norway and brings valuable experience from working with successful athletes such as Aksel Lund Svindal and Henrik Kristoffersen.

Mitter has already started working on optimizing preparations for the upcoming Olympic season. One of his first tasks is to put together the coaching team. Marko Pfeifer and Roland Assinger will remain in office as men's and women's head coaches respectively, while Andreas Evers has been introduced as the new men's speed boss. In an interview, Mitter emphasized that there was no power play in his role and that he was open to dialogue.

Farewell and new challenges

Although Mitter would like to provide new impetus, he will be leaving his role as racing director for alpine women's skiers after the end of the season. His contract expires at the end of April and he plans to reorient himself due to several international offers. Mitter expressed gratitude for the cooperation with the association, the athletes, trainers, supervisors and service people. While he will take part in the remaining World Cups in Lenzerheide, Aare and Meribel/Courchevel, Herbert Mandl will take over overall responsibility for the alpine area from May 1st in order to set the course for the upcoming home World Cup in Saalbach, which will take place in 2025.

In addition to sports planning, the ÖSV has also taken on the challenges of winter sports in a rapidly changing world. As part of a structural reform, the issue of sustainability was particularly emphasized. In the run-up to the 2025 World Ski Championships, the ÖSV is striving to certify the event as a “Green Event”. This involves several financial investments to ensure that the event is environmentally friendly.

Future of winter sports

The far-reaching challenges that arose from climate change and weather-related cancellations in the last World Cup winter have prompted the ÖSV to develop concrete strategies. As part of the “Future:Focus:Ski&Snowboardsport” program, around 50 experts from various areas are working to find sustainable solutions and make winter sports fit for the future. This not only includes the question of the affordability of sport, but also the lack of exercise among children, which requires new offerings in urban areas. The president of the ÖSV, Roswitha Stadlober, has clear visions and dreams of a “snow wonder world” that can function even without snow.

Given these developments, Mitter is asked how he can balance the complex demands of his new role with the realities of winter sports in Austria. He himself emphasizes that the aim is to achieve sustainable improvements without sudden actions. The ÖSV wants to continue to assert itself in the overall World Cup and Nations Cup and secure the athletes' performance in the long term in order to confidently meet the challenges.

In order to ensure the future development of winter sports and Austria's successful participation in international competitions, the analysis and improvement of the existing system will be crucial.