U.S. Ski & Snowboard is saddened by the loss of Trevor Wagner—a visionary ski coach, technical delegate and cherished member of the alpine community—who passed away on April 22, 2025 after a private battle with an illness.​

Trevor hailed from Seattle, Washington, but grew up in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Whitefish, Montana. He raced for and graduated from Sierra Nevada College before taking on a coaching role with the Squaw Valley Ski Team. He then moved to the U.S. Ski Team in 1998, where he coached the Europa Cup tech team until 2002 and the World Cup team until 2005. 

In 2005, Trevor was named head coach for the women's slalom and giant slalom teams, recognized for revitalizing these disciplines and fostering a culture of excellence. His leadership was instrumental during the 2006 Olympics, where under his guidance, Julia Mancuso secured a gold medal in giant slalom. 

After leaving the national team, Trevor continued to influence the sport at the grassroots level at the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (SVSEF) as a U16 coach. Alongside his fiancée Glady Weidt, SVSEF’s assistant alpine director and U16 coach, he dedicated six seasons to mentoring young athletes, instilling in them the same passion and commitment that defined his own career. Even while facing health challenges, Trevor remained a steadfast presence on the hill.

Beyond coaching, Trevor continued as a technical advisor for U.S. Ski & Snowboard, building and shaping World Cup and NorAm venues around the country. His efforts were central to bringing the World Cup Finals to Sun Valley, marking the return of World Cup speed events to the region for the first time since the 2002 Winter Olympics. Collaborating with some of the greatest leaders in the sport, he helped design world-class downhill and super-G courses, leaving a lasting legacy for future competitions.​

Trevor's legacy is etched in the countless athletes he coached, the colleagues he inspired, and the vibrant ski racing community he helped cultivate. His passion and unwavering commitment have left an indelible mark on his colleagues, friends, family, athletes and the sport he loved.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Trevor’s memory to the SVSEF Alpine Development Fund at svsef.org/donate. Messages of condolence can be sent to 2741 Winterhaven Dr, Hailey, ID 83333.

The Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s alpine program had pivotal moments in the 2024-25 season that included historic highs, new venues and emerging stars. In total, the alpine team brought home 13 podiums and five wins across the men’s and women’s World Cup teams, including four World Championships medals. 

The season was strong, but was made even stronger by the historic 100th World Cup win for the most successful skier of all time, Mikaela Shiffrin. She notched her centennial win in Sestriere, Italy, after battling a severe injury she sustained earlier in the season at the Stifel Killington Cup. Shiffrin not only won her 100th World Cup, but she also achieved this milestone with teammate Paula Moltzan on the podium beside her. Shiffrin then went on to end her season with her 101st World Cup win at the Stifel Sun Valley Finals. 

Looking back through the winter, the breakout star was speed skier Lauren Macuga. Park City Native Macuga catapulted herself to a World Cup threat when she won the super G in St. Anton - the first U.S. woman to win a super G at this specific venue. Macuga did not stop there – not long after her first win, she claimed another World Cup podium in Kvitfjell, Norway, where she finished second in the downhill. 

This season’s marquee event was the World Championships, where the U.S. team showed up and dominated in nearly every event. With four medals being won by the women’s athletes, it was a strong testament to the depth of this team. It all started with Breezy Johnson becoming the 2025 World Champion in downhill, yet Johnson did not stop there. Just a few days later, Johnson and Shiffrin teamed up for the Team Combined event, where one athlete raced in the downhill event and one in the slalom. After two dominant runs by both, there was another World Championships gold medal to bring home - Johnson’s second and Shiffrin’s first of the week. The haul continued, with Macuga once again showing her best skiing, winning a bronze in the super-G, and Moltzan with a bronze in the giant slalom. 

Following the World Championships, the team kept the momentum going and continued to find success at nearly every subsequent World Cup event. Apart from the top tier of Shiffrin, Macuga, Moltzan and Johnson, it was a massive season with the return of speed queen, Lindsey Vonn. Vonn made her official World Cup return in St. Moritz in December and immediately took control of the circuit. Vonn completed her season, qualifying for the World Cup finals in super-G, where she landed her first podium since retirement in second place and became the oldest woman to ever podium in a World Cup event. Vonn’s comeback podium marked 2,565 days since her previous World Cup podium before her retirement. A storybook ending to her comeback season. 

The women also showed immense depth. On the tech team, Katie Hensien and Nina O’Brien posted great results after coming back from injury, with each athlete landing multiple top-10s in giant slalom. Young rising star Elisabeth Bocock also turned heads in giant slalom, scoring World Cup points numerous times and finishing the season as national champion as well. 

The men’s World Cup season presented highs and lows. The speed team started the year on a high note with two back-to-back podiums at their team's favorite venue in Val Gardena, Italy. Longtime Stifel U.S. Ski Team member Jared Goldberg claimed his first World Cup podium just 0.01 off the win in super-G and the following day, Ryan Cochran-Siegle landed third in the downhill, his first podium in over a year. 

On the men’s tech side, the slalom team was revived with the help of new staff, propelling slalom standout Benjamin Ritchie to the best results of his career. Ritchie made a name for himself in the 2024-25 season as he captured multiple top-10 finishes, finishing the slalom season within the top 20. Giant slalom force River Radamus had another consistent season, landing in the top 15 in the world for the discipline. 

On the development side, the Stifel U.S. Ski Team achieved strong results both at the NorAm level and secured multiple medals at the Junior World Championships. The development side was highlighted by Elisabeth Bocock, Liv Moritz, Stanley Buzek and Hunter Salani. All four of whom walked home with medals at the Junior World Championships. Moritz and Bocock also ended the season with the slalom and giant slalom NorAm Cup titles. 

In addition to the success on snow, U.S. Ski & Snowboard held two historic new domestic alpine events.  This included the first ever women’s Birds of Prey races in early December, then the World Cup season ended at the Stifel Sun Valley Finals - the first time the U.S. hosted finals since 2017 and the first time ever in Sun Valley. Both events were incredibly successful and proved to the world that the U.S. can continue to host top tier alpine events. 

Overall, it was a strong building year for the team across all levels. As they transition from the season to training, the athletes are gearing up to make their mark on the world for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina. 

Two-time Olympian, World Cup winner and American ski racing legend Chuck Ferries passed away on April 17, 2025. 

Born in Houghton, Michigan in 1939, Ferries grew up in the Keewanaw Penninsula where he was introduced to skiing as a child. Racing under legendary coach Fred Lonsdorf out of the tiny Mt. Ripley Ski Area, Ferries climbed the ranks in the Central Ski Division before running away from home west—infamously jumping a train from Chicago to Sun Valley and then to Alta, Utah, where he worked at the Peruvian Lodge and took powder skiing lessons from Alf Engen. 

In 1958, he moved to Aspen, Colorado for his senior year of high school before heading to University of Denver, racing for a year under famed ski coach Willy Schaeffler. He was named to the U.S. Ski Team in 1960 under the leadership of former University of Colorado ski coach Bob Beattie, with whom he created a lifelong friendship—despite their difference in college choices. Ferries' teammates included former U.S. Ski & Snowboard CEO Bill Marolt, Buddy Werner, Gordi Eaton, Dave Gorsuch, Billy Kidd, Jimmie Heuga and other trailblazers of ski racing. 

Ferries' historic 1962 victory in the Hahnenkamm slalom in Kitzbühel—one of the most revered races in alpine skiing—marked a turning point for U.S. athletes on the world stage. He remains the only American man to win the Kitzbuhel slalom. He also competed in the 1960 Olympic Games at Squaw Valley, California and the 1964 Olympics in Innsburck, Austria, and was a member of the World Championships team in 1962 in Chamonix, France. He also appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1963. 

Ferries' contributions extended far beyond the race course. After retiring, he served as head coach of the U.S. Ski Team, coaching the women’s alpine team through the 1968 Olympic Games. He also worked for HEAD Skis, helping to develop a better ski that still has an impact on ski racing today. He then went to K2 Skis, developing skis for Marilyn Cochran, and in 1969, she became the first skier to win on an American-made ski. He eventually became the VP of marketing at K2 and is considered responsible for the creative marketing that launched K2 into prominence in the early 1970s, at one point capturing 25% of U.S. sales. He also owned Scott USA, Schwinn bikes and Chums throughout his career. 

In the mid-1990s, Ferries served alongside Beattie in hands-on management consulting roles with the U.S. Ski Association (now U.S. Ski & Snowboard), helping the organization through a difficult period. He was also chair of the organization’s Board of Directors from 2002-06. His strategic mind and deep love of the sport helped usher in new levels of professionalism and success for the teams.

Jimmie Heuga, Chuck Ferries and Bob Beattie (left to right) watch the Birds of Prey combined in 2006.

He was elected to the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame in 1989 and in 2007, received the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Blegen Award, the most prestigious honor for service to the organization. He was also inducted to the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame in 2008.

Chuck is survived by his wife Nancy Ferries, son Tom Ferries, his wife Ginger and their sons Spencer and Sully, daughter Ann Neary and her husband Mike Neary, as well as his sisters Mary Anne Metternick and Barbara Ferries Henderson.

The annual Stifel Awards were handed out to the nine recipients at the Toyota U.S. Alpine Championships presented by Stifel. The awards honor athletes and staff from the season ranging from best comeback to rookie of the year and staff member of the year. 

The Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team athletes voted on the categories through two rounds of voting and each winner received a $1,000 check - made possible by Stifel. 

“The recipients of this year's awards are well deserved. Whether it was an impressive comeback story or just a valued member of our team, it is a great way to cap off a successful and long season,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chief of Sport Anouk Patty.

o Best Comeback (Men): Bridger Gile

Gile has been plagued with back problems for the last several years. This season, he was able to manage the pain and complete a full season, during which he scored his first World Cup points in giant slalom. 

o Best Comeback (Women): Breezy Johnson

Johnson has had a difficult past few seasons but overcame the challenges to capture golds in downhill and the team combined at the World Championships. Johnson then went on to capture another World Cup podium in Kvitfjell. 

o Most Improved (Men): Ben Ritchie

Ritchie has always shown promise in slalom, but this season he catapulted himself to new success. Ritchie scored multiple personal bests and ended the season in his best slalom rank to date, capping off the season with a new personal best at the Stifel Sun Valley Finals. 

o Most Improved (Women): Lauren Macuga

Macuga has had an incredible breakout season on the World Cup circuit, including a World Cup win and a World Championships medal. It was a huge improvement from the previous season when her best result was fifth place. 

o Rookie of the Year (Men): Stanley Buzek

Buzek consistently showed strength in slalom as a young rookie and this season was no different. Buzek helped lead the Junior Worlds team to two medals with his talent in the team parallel and team event. 

o Rookie of the Year (Women): Elisabeth Bocock

Bocock continued to impress this season on the World Cup tour, claiming personal bests and a top-10 World Cup result in giant slalom. 

o Athlete of the Year (Men): Ryan Cochran-Siegle

Cochran-Siegle is always a speed skier to watch. He continued his build this season with a strong start in Val Gardena where he garnered another podium result in downhill.

o Athlete of the Year (Women): Lauren Macuga

Macuga has had a laudable breakout season on the World Cup circuit, which included a World Cup win and a World Championships medal. 

o Staff Member of the Year: Zan Spilar

Spilar, the women’s tech World Cup coach, took on a huge load this season and did it with confidence and grace. His athletes and the alpine program appreciate Spilar and his efforts.

In the final race of the World Cup season, Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Ben Ritchie proved he belonged among the top slalom skiers as he knifed his way to seventh place - a personal best. 

“My biggest goal for the year was to qualify for finals,” said Ritchie. “So having it here in the U.S. and scoring this result makes it a little more special.”

It was a warm spring day in Sun Valley, Idaho for the finale of men’s ski racing. Globes, points and medals were on the line as the world’s best men finally had their chance to race on the Sun Valley slopes. On the first run, the set was open and fast - a welcome sight for the last push of the season. The tricky part of the race would be the snow conditions that turned very slushy and spring-like early on, making it an advantage for the skiers with low bib numbers. 

Ritchie, wearing bib 18, fought his way down to 15th on the first run. He knew he had more in him so he prepped to deliver on the second run. As Ritchie entered the starting gate, the crowd rose to their feet, ready to bring home the sole U.S. skier in the men’s slalom. Ritchie did not disappoint, skiing aggressively at each turn all the way to the finish to claim that leaderboard chair. He moved up eight positions to land his personal best of seventh place. 

“I was a little uncertain about the conditions and how it is super warm here,” said Ritchie. “I kind of skied tentatively on the first run and that fired me up to do better and take a little more risk on the second one.” 

Overall, it was a picture-perfect ending to a historic week in Sun Valley at the Stifel Sun Valley Finals event. Ritchie, a previous slalom Junior World Champion, has always been known to have speed in the discipline but had trouble performing on the World Cup—that is until the 2024-25 season. He scored personal best after personal best throughout the season with five top-15 results and three top-10s, enough to land him 17th in the slalom overall discipline rankings—an incredible leap from his placing of 41 just last season. 

The winner of the race was Norwegian Timon Haugan with Frenchman Clement Noel in second and Austrian Fabio Gstrein in third. The Crystal Globe slalom winner was ultimately awarded to Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen. 

RESULTS
Men's slalom

Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Mikaela Shiffrin closed out the World Cup season in dominant fashion, claiming her 101st career victory on home snow in Sun Valley, Idaho, in front of thousands of roaring fans, just weeks after she rewrote history with her 100th World Cup win in Sestriere, Italy. 

"I just want to be able to ski some of my best turns on home soil,” Shiffrin added. “I know where I stand; I know that my very best skiing in slalom is fast, but anything aside from my best, then it’s anybody’s race.”

Sun Valley has been home to the Stifel Sun Valley Finals, providing an atmosphere that every ski fan dreams. With the best alpine athletes in the world and thousands of fans showing up for seven days of racing, it was a week to remember. And on Thursday, the World Cup season came to an end with one last race - the men’s and women’s slalom.

The women kicked things off, Shiffrin ran bib two, skiing into the lead and never looked back, finishing ahead of Lena Duerr of Germany and Wendy Holdener of Switzerland. 

The race unfolded on a course that grew increasingly challenging as temperatures rose throughout the day, softening the snow and creating a rougher surface for the later racers. But despite the conditions, Shiffrin knifed her way through both runs with the precision only she can master. 

“I have felt so much support from U.S. fans, and being able to return back home for the final races of the season is super exciting,” Shiffrin said. “It’s just cool to be here and share this atmosphere with the U.S. fans and so many young racers in this area who are so excited to be here.”

Shiffrin’s win today marked her 101st World Cup win and 157th podium, but it was not easily won. Just this past November, Shiffrin sustained a severe abdominal injury at the Stifel Killington Cup. After months of rehabbing and strengthening, Shiffrin made her World Cup comeback in Courchevel, France for the night slalom. Then, she headed to World Championships where she became a gold medalist alongside long-time teammate Breezy Johnson. Days later, she was back on the World Cup circuit in Sestriere, Italy and achieved a monumental feat – winning her 100th World Cup. And in Sun Valley, Shiffrin ended her 2024-25 season back on top of the podium, giving the U.S. fans even more to cheer about – her 101st World Cup victory. 

With the season now in the books, Shiffrin will look ahead to a well-earned break before preparing for another year on the circuit. And if history is any indicator, many more milestones are still to come.

Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Paula Moltzan was also on the startlist, just two days after a gnarly injury that left her face torn up after sliding off course and into the b-netting. Fighting through pain, Moltzan ultimately ended the day in sixth overall and 11th in the FIS Alpine slalom overall standings, a solid season-ending result. 

"Today I was fighting a lot of demons. I was in a lot of pain. I hurt my ankle when I crashed, so it was kind of a mind over matter," said Moltzan. "I've had quite the roller coaster of a season. I've had some really high highs and some really low lows, but I'm proud of the team and I am excited to see what next year brings." 

The women's tech team will now take some well deserved days off before heading into spring training. 

RESULTS
Women's slalom

On Wednesday’s men’s giant slalom race at the Stifel Sun Valley Finals River Radamus closed out his World Cup season in 15th place and 12th in the overall giant slalom standings. 

“I’m proud of the fight today and my approach,” said Radamus. “It’s always special to close it out in the U.S. this crowd has been amazing.” 

It was another beautiful and hot day in Sun Valley for the finals race and the U.S. crowd came out to cheer on the lone qualifier of the men’s giant slalom. Radamus known to lay it on the line for the hometown crowd was ready to give it his all. The set was once again extremely tricky - a real challenge for the skiers. Many claimed that it was the tightest set they had seen all season. Regardless, it was go time. 

Radamus kicked out of the gate with bib 10 with an aggressive line. He got caught up on his inside ski early leaning in almost going out. Radamus lost well over a second on the costly error. He still did his best to maintain his speed and put himself into position for a solid second run. 

On the second run Radamus was in a solid position to ski fast with a clean course in the spring like conditions. He went out charging in the green the whole way down. Radamus got low in a few spots but was able to recover quickly and squeak out the top spot. Radamus would ultimately end up in 15th. 

“I think there are definitely spots I could have executed better but happy to walk away with some points here and exciting to work hard for the next season,” said Radamus. 

The winner of the race was Swiss skier Loic Meillard who has had a very strong end of season showing across the technical disciplines. In second place was Marco Odermatt and in third Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen. 

The giant slalom overall winner was also awarded on Wednesday to Marco Odermatt, who clinched the globe prior to the finals week. Radamus landed 12th. 

The final World Cup races of the season go off on Thursday for a women’s and men’s slalom. 

RESULTS
men's giant slalom 

The sun was out in full force, the course was set and the athletes put it all on the line for the final giant slalom of the 2024-25 season at the Stifel Sun Valley Finals. At the end of the day, it was Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete AJ Hurt as the top American, taking eighth place.

With a smile across her face, Hurt whipped her hands into the air across the line to end her season with a top 10 result and 14th in the overall FIS giant slalom overall rankings.

In the first run, the snow did not hold up well and the set was difficult, causing many DNFs. Paula Moltzan, currently ranked within the top seven, ran into trouble early in her run. Losing grip on her pole around the third gate, she fought her way down the course with just one pole and was heading into a position within the top five. However, just before the finish, Moltzan crashed into the fence. Despite being banged up with a bandage on her face, she is OK.

The other surprise of the race was when the leading Crystal Globe contender, New Zealand’s Alice Robinson, also did not finish the race and ultimately gave up the Globe to Italian Federica Brignone.

Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Nina O’Brien also landed in the top 15 in 12th place. While it was not the result she hoped for at home, she was still excited to race in the U.S. and see friends and family in the crowd. O’Brien ended her giant slalom season in 11th in the overall GS rankings. 

“The set was definitely a little bit tough today with the snow breaking down, and you have to be really smart about how you ski,” said O’Brien. “Our team has been pushing each other this season a lot and it feels like every race somebody is shining each day which has been really cool.” 

On the second run, the course set was much more forgiving for the athletes, and the best pushed the limits. Hurt skied cleanly into the top position and moved up a few spots to land in the top 10. 

“It's nice to come away with a good result as we head into the next season,” said Hurt. “It is also pretty awesome to have family and friends around since we are also pretty close to California.”

Stifel U.S. Ski Team members Lauren Macuga and Katie Hensien also raced. Though Hensien did not finish, she is still proud of her season. Macuga, a speed skier, was able to race after scoring over 500 World Cup points. She put down two gutsy runs in her first ever World Cup giant slalom and scored points, finishing in 15th place.

Swiss skier Lara Gut-Behrami took the victory, claiming her second win of the Stifel Sun Valley Finals week. Brignone ended up in second, and with that result, secured the giant slalom Crystal Globe, edging Robinson. It is Brignone’s third Globe of the 2024-25 season, after capturing the overall, super-G and giant slalom. Sweden’s Sara Hector finished third. 

Gut-Behrami also clinched the Stifel HERoic Cup, a $50,000 prize for the winningest World Cup woman skier between the U.S. World Cup races: the Stifel Killington Cup, Stifel Birds of Prey and Stifel Sun Valley Finals. Stifel chairman and CEO Ronald Kruszewski presented the check and a trophy to the accomplished racer, who was thrilled to win the award, and stated that she was going to build a pool with the prize money. 

The women’s tech team will now prepare for the slalom race on Thursday, March 27, while the men’s giant slalom skiers prepare for their last giant slalom race on Wednesday, March 26. 

RESULTS
Women's giant slalom

HOW TO WATCH

• Wednesday, March 26
  • 11:30 a.m. – men’s GS, first run – LIVE on Outside TV
  • 2:00 p.m. – men’s GS, second run – LIVE on Outside TV & USA
• Thursday, March 27
  • 11:00 a.m. – women’s slalom, first run – LIVE on Outside TV
  • 12:00 p.m. – men’s slalom, first run – LIVE on Outside TV
  • 2:00 p.m. – women’s slalom, second run – LIVE on Outside TV & USA
  • 3:00 p.m. – men’s slalom, second run – LIVE on Outside TV