Olympic downhill champion Breezy Johnson is raising concerns about new ski weight restrictions introduced by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), arguing that lighter equipment could compromise stability during high-speed racing.
The American skier, who won downhill gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics and the 2025 World Championships, is among those questioning whether the new regulations will actually make alpine racing safer. According to Swiss newspaper Blick, Johnson has expressed frustration with the restrictions, explaining that her weight of more than 176lbs makes heavier skis important for maintaining stability on rough terrain.
The changes come just weeks before the opening races of the 2026-27 Alpine Ski World Cup season in Sölden, Austria, on October 24-25. Several major ski manufacturers have also questioned the safety benefits of the new rules, including representatives from Rossignol and Atomic.
How Much Can World Cup Skis Weigh?
Under the new FIS equipment regulations, downhill racing skis are subject to maximum weight limits for the first time. The limits include the skis, bindings and binding plates.
For women’s downhill competition, each ski and its attached equipment can weigh no more than 11.5 pounds, or approximately 22.9 pounds for the pair. Men’s downhill skis are limited to approximately 11.7 pounds each, or 23.4 pounds per pair.
The restrictions also apply to giant slalom, where women’s ski systems are limited to approximately 10.8 pounds each and men’s to 11.2 pounds each.
FIS introduced the restrictions as a safety measure, operating under the premise that lighter skis could reduce the forces involved in crashes. However, manufacturers and racers have questioned whether reducing the weight of equipment could create unintended consequences for ski handling and stability.
Downhill racers regularly reach speeds exceeding 80 mph, and their skis are designed to remain stable while absorbing vibrations from uneven snow surfaces. For Johnson, whose racing equipment is supplied by Atomic, the concern is that lighter skis may not provide the same stability she has relied on throughout her career.
Ski Manufacturers Question The Science Behind The Rule
Johnson’s concerns are shared by executives at some of the world’s largest ski manufacturers. Rossignol racing director Stéphane Mougin told Blick that he is unconvinced the regulations will accomplish their intended purpose.
“I am not convinced that this regulation will have a positive effect on safety in our sport. There are currently no studies that prove this.” -Stéphane Mougin
Mougin explained that the distribution of weight across a ski is particularly important. Concentrating weight beneath a racer’s boots can help provide stability, while additional weight at the tip and tail can affect the ski’s handling characteristics.
Atomic racing director Christian Höflehner also questioned whether lighter skis would reduce injuries, particularly given the potential costs of redesigning equipment to comply with the restrictions.
Höflehner says FIS is considering further reductions in ski weight but argued that manufacturers should not be required to undertake expensive equipment changes without compelling evidence that the modifications will improve safety.
The tests examining the potential safety benefits are expected to take place during the upcoming winter. The new rules will not affect every manufacturer equally. Equipment from Stöckli, Head and Rossignol reportedly already complied with the weight restrictions last season, while Atomic and Salomon have had to withdraw or modify certain models.
FIS Has Faced Equipment Safety Controversies Before
The disagreement comes more than a decade after another controversial FIS equipment change aimed at reducing injuries.
Ahead of the 2012-13 season, FIS increased the minimum turning radius for men’s giant slalom skis from approximately 89 feet to 115 feet, believing the change would reduce knee injuries. The regulation was subsequently revised following concerns about the physical effects of the longer-radius equipment on athletes.
That history has become part of the current debate, with manufacturers questioning whether another major equipment change is being introduced before its full consequences are understood.
FIS has continued making safety changes across alpine racing, including mandatory cut-resistant undergarments for FIS alpine competitors, but the new ski weight limits present a different challenge because they directly affect equipment performance.
With the World Cup season approaching, the question remains whether lighter skis will deliver the safety improvements FIS intends or force athletes and manufacturers to sacrifice equipment characteristics they consider essential for racing at high speeds.
