Paris Closes Out the Season in Style
For Ottawa's passionate community of alpine skiing fans, whether they chase groomed runs at Camp Fortune, make weekend pilgrimages to Mont Tremblant, or simply follow the World Cup circuit from their couches. Saturday delivered a fitting finale to a spectacular downhill season.
Italian veteran Dominik Paris claimed victory in the men's downhill at the World Cup finals in Kvitfjell, Norway, besting Olympic champion Franjo von Allmen in a race that showcased everything fans love about the discipline: raw speed, technical precision, and nerves of steel on some of the most unforgiving terrain in competitive skiing.
A Stellar Season for Downhill
The win came a week after Swiss superstar Marco Odermatt had already mathematically locked up the season title in the downhill discipline, a dominant campaign that cemented Odermatt's reputation as one of the greatest all-around alpine racers of his generation.
But Paris, at 35 years old, proved there's no shortage of fire left in him. Known for his aggressive, no-fear approach to speed events, the Italian delivered the kind of run that reminds viewers why downhill racing is the marquee event of the alpine circuit. Von Allmen, the reigning Olympic champion from Switzerland, pushed hard but ultimately had to settle for second place.
Why Ottawa Should Care
Ottawa may not have the same mountain backdrop as Whistler or Banff, but this city punches well above its weight when it comes to ski culture. Thousands of Ottawa residents are season pass holders at Edelweiss, Camp Fortune, and Mont Cascades, and many make regular trips to the Laurentians or Vermont for serious alpine runs. The World Cup circuit gives local ski enthusiasts a global lens through which to appreciate the sport they love.
With the World Cup season now winding down, Ottawa skiers can reflect on a winter that delivered stunning competition from the Alps to Scandinavia, and start dreaming about next season's calendar.
Looking Ahead
With Odermatt already holding the downhill globe, attention will now shift to the overall World Cup standings as the finals continue through the weekend. The alpine circuit will return in the fall, setting the stage for another year of high-speed drama on snow.
For local fans, it's a good time to squeeze in those last spring ski days while the Ottawa Valley's hills still have snow, and maybe talk some trash at the chalet about who had the better line.
Source: CBC Sports. Original article published March 21, 2025.
