Marco Odermatt is one of the most exciting skiers to watch today — fast, focused, and always at home in the mountains. His career is filled with big wins and unforgettable moments, but behind it all is a simple love for skiing and the lifestyle that comes with it. In this interview, Marco opens up about the runs he’ll never forget, the people who influenced him, and what keeps him grounded while traveling around the world.
Q1: What does it mean to you to be an alpine ski racer?
It was always my dream, and being one of the best in Switzerland — is a very special feeling.
Q2: Who has inspired your skiing the most?
Didier Cuche inspired me the most — not just his technique, but the power, emotion and presence he brought to every start gate. He made me want to become a World Cup racer.
Q3: What’s your most memorable run?
My Olympic gold medal run is definitely the one that means the most to me. But honestly in all the big races, you need a memorable run to win.
Q4: Do you have any phrases you tell yourself before a race?
I do — personal lines to calm or push myself into race mode. But I keep them to myself.
Q5: How do you handle your emotions after a race?
I think it’s very important to always calm down after a race, to let all the emotions go and to refocus for the next race.
Q6: What’s the best way to become a better skier?
Work on all the pieces: equipment, physical strength, technique, and the mental side. You can’t improve everything at once, but small steps in each area add up.
Q7: Do you have a personal motto?
My motto is “Full gas.”
Q8: How do you handle fear on the mountain?
I don’t call it fear — I call it respect. It’s always a risk and a challenge so to have this mindset is very important to me.
Q9: What is your favorite place in Switzerland?
Home, surrounded by mountains, with family and friends close.
Q10: What is your home mountain?
Engelberg–Titlis, where I went to ski school for years and essentially became a ski racer.
Q11: Where do you most like to ski when you’re not racing?
The Dolomites are incredible, but most of my free-ski days happen in Engelberg — especially in spring when the snow is still great.
Q12: What ski destination would you like to visit next?
I was just in Alaska last spring , this was a big dream of mine. Japan is high on my list for a future powder trip once my career allows more time.
Q13: Who do you like to ski with when you’re not racing?
My friends at home.
Q14:Are you faster than your friends?
No, all my friends are also very good skiers!
Q15: What does skiing mean to you?
Skiing means a lot to me, I started skiing when I was a little boy. It became my passion and I still love to ski. It just became a big part of my life.
Q16: Why Descente?
Descente was already the ski jacket of all my childhood heroes. I watched them race every weekend, and it became my dream to wear this jacket myself one day. I really need to trust every part of my equipment to give 100% on the slopes and that’s exactly what Descente gives me.
Q17: Where do you see yourself in 20 years?
Retired from racing, living in a nice house, hopefully with a family, still in the heart of Switzerland — and happy.
Marco Odermatt
Professional Alpine Ski Racer
Born in 1997 in Buochs, Switzerland. Marco began skiing at an early age and developed through the Swiss junior system, earning global attention after winning five gold medals at the 2018 FIS Junior World Championships. He made his World Cup debut in 2016 and has since become one of the most dominant figures in modern alpine skiing.
He has captured multiple overall World Cup titles, along with numerous discipline titles in giant slalom and super-G, and won Olympic gold in the giant slalom at the Beijing 2022 Winter Games. Known for his powerful technique and consistency, Marco continues to set new standards in the sport.