Alpine Pulse

Mikaela Shiffrin and Marco Odermatt are not just two of the greatest ski racers of our generation — they are among the athletes who have redefined what excellence looks like in modern skiing.

In this episode of Alpine Pulse Unplugged, they come together as two of the defining athletes of their era — connected by a level of excellence few can relate to. At the very peak of the sport, they observe, learn from, and challenge each other in ways only they can truly understand.

They reflect on what they see when watching one another: the precision, the intensity, the subtle rituals in the start gate, and how those details translate into performance. At the same time, they reveal their different approaches to competition — and what drives them when the pressure is at its highest.

But this conversation goes beyond performance. It explores mindset, expectations, and the weight of representing entire nations. It’s about what they’ve learned from each other — and what it truly means to sustain greatness over time.

Together, they move past the idea of simply winning, and reflect on how to find balance, purpose, and even joy, in a life built around chasing the absolute limits of the sport.

Alpine Pulse is a FIS Originals production by FIS – International Ski and Snowboard Federation in cooperation with Maniac Studios.

Laura Pirovano is the perfect example of perseverance, patience, and heart. In a sport that demands early talent and often celebrates instant success, Laura took the long way—pushing through injuries, setbacks, and years of near misses without losing her belief in herself or her dreams.

This season, everything changed in a flash. Laura finally broke through, winning back-to-back World Cup downhill races in Val di Fassa and sealing her triumph with a third consecutive victory in Kvitfjell to claim the coveted Crystal Globe. Her story is more than numbers on a results sheet—it’s about the courage to keep showing up, the humility to learn from heartbreak, and the quiet strength that makes her a teammate everyone admires.

Alpine Pulse is a FIS Originals production by FIS – International Ski and Snowboard Federation in cooperation with Maniac Studios.

Thea Louise Stjernesund is the kind of athlete who reminds us what it truly means to keep believing — especially when the sport doesn’t seem to believe in you back.

In this episode, Thea opens up about her journey from the small, flat hills around Oslo — far from the traditional pathways of alpine success — to becoming one of the most consistent giant slalom skiers on the World Cup circuit.

An underdog in every sense, she grew up without real mountains, learning her craft on short slopes, often finishing last in her early races. And yet, what stands out is not just her perseverance, but her genuineness — a quiet, honest belief that never needed validation from results.

She reflects with disarming simplicity on those painful, repeated fourth-place finishes — the kind that stay with you, decided by hundredths of a second — and how those “almost” moments shaped her more than any victory could.

And then came the Olympics — where those same cruel hundredths, that had taken so much away before, finally came back to her.

Not as luck, but as something earned.

Alpine Pulse is a FIS Originals production by FIS – International Ski and Snowboard Federation in cooperation with Maniac Studios.

Kalle Eriksson is no ordinary ski racer - and neither is Sierra Smith. Together, they make up one of para-alpine skiing’s most exciting duos, racing at breakneck speeds where trust and communication aren’t just important, they’re everything.

When Kalle was seventeen, his life changed in an instant. While helping at a ski training camp on a glacier in northern Sweden, he began losing his vision due to a rare case of solar retinopathy. Almost overnight, the mountains he had always known looked completely different.Instead of letting it stop him, he discovered a new path on the slopes - one that would take him to World Cup wins and the World Championship podium. But it’s not a story of solo perseverance: Sierra Smith, a former Canadian national team skier, became his guide, teammate, and partner, standing (and skiing) right out in front, her voice leading Kalle down courses that push both to their limits.

Their story is more than a tale of medals and races; it’s about overcoming setbacks, evolving together, and proving the incredible power of connection. This is the journey of Kalle and Sierra - a duo reminding us that sometimes, our biggest triumphs happen when we let someone else lead the way.

Alpine Pulse is a FIS Originals production by FIS – International Ski and Snowboard Federation in cooperation with Maniac Studios.

Jesper Pedersen is one of the most extraordinary athletes in para-alpine skiing - and he just got his first Paralympic Gold Medal in Milano Cortina. A competitor whose story goes far beyond the medals and the records. Born with spina bifida and paralyzed from the waist down, Jesper was first introduced to the slopes at just two years old, sitting on his father’s lap. That early spark ignited a journey filled with resilience, drive, and an unshakeable sense of possibility.

Jesper speaks about the moments that defined his ascent: from becoming the most decorated male para-alpine skier at a single Paralympics, to winning seven consecutive overall World Cup titles, to facing personal heartbreak and channeling it into strength. Jesper opens up about the impact of his father and what it takes to remain at the top in a sport that demands everything. But this episode is also about using his platform to break down barriers, inspire others, and push for a more inclusive world.

Alpine Pulse is a FIS Originals production by FIS – International Ski and Snowboard Federation in cooperation with Maniac Studios.