International Ski Federation

The International Ski Federation (FIS) is the global governing body for the sports of skiing and snowboarding. It establishes the international competition rules that govern disciplines such as alpine skiing, cross‑country, ski jumping, Nordic combined, freestyle, snowboard, telemark, speed skiing and grass skiing. FIS organizes the annual World Cup circuit, the World Championships, and various junior and age‑group championships that attract elite athletes from around the world. In addition, it coordinates the skiing and snowboarding programmes for the Olympic Winter Games in cooperation with the International Olympic Committee. Through these activities FIS serves athletes, national ski associations, event organizers, broadcasters and a worldwide audience of fans.

The federation’s headquarters are located in Switzerland, reflecting the country’s longstanding tradition in winter sports administration. FIS works with numerous member national ski associations that represent countries on every continent where skiing is practiced. Its competition calendar spans venues in Europe, North America, Asia and the Southern Hemisphere, giving the sport a truly global footprint. By sanctioning races and setting technical standards, FIS ensures consistency and fairness across diverse geographic and climatic conditions. The organization also collaborates with regional continental committees and the IOC to align its events with the broader Olympic movement.

FIS’s distinguishing attribute is its specialized regulatory role in winter sports, encompassing rule‑making, equipment homologation, anti‑doping enforcement and athlete safety standards. This regulatory authority is complemented by strong competencies in event management, marketing and sport development programmes aimed at growing participation at grassroots levels. As a non‑profit international sports federation, FIS is governed by a Congress of member associations, a Council that handles day‑to‑day affairs, and a President elected by the Congress. FIS is recognised by the International Olympic Committee and collaborates with the Olympic Movement to integrate skiing and snowboarding into the Winter Games programme. The federation’s profile also includes occasional exposure to external threats, exemplified by the 2017 credential‑phishing campaign conducted by the Pawn Storm threat actor group that targeted FIS alongside other Olympic winter sports organizations. Despite such challenges, FIS continues to fulfill its mandate of governing, promoting and developing skiing and snowboarding worldwide.