Summer is far from an off-season for competitive skiers. It is when the foundations for the coming winter are laid, through technical training, physical conditioning and recovery after a demanding racing calendar. This summer, the NIVELCO Ski Team athletes followed different paths in their preparations, with travel, new challenges and unexpected obstacles all playing a part.
NOA SZŐLLŐS – BACK ON SKIS
– My summer turned out a little differently than usual. Normally, we try to resume full training as soon as possible after the racing season, but this year I had to slow down towards the end of spring because of a shoulder injury. After taking more than a month off, we still managed to complete a good training block on the Kaunertal and Mölltal glaciers in Austria. However, I had to return to a more limited dry-land training routine, as most movements were still causing considerable pain.
– I also travelled much more than usual this summer. Instead of our traditional family holiday in Croatia, some of us headed to Norway for a motorhome road trip. The change of scenery and time spent in nature were a welcome break and a great way to recharge before returning to skiing.
– From Norway, I travelled almost directly to Belgium for our annual visit to the “giant freezer” – the indoor ski centre in Peer. Indoor slalom training can sometimes feel a little repetitive, but it remains one of my favourite ways to prepare. We had a fantastic week there in July, when I also got to train with Barnabás. After a short break at home, we returned for another excellent week of training in August.
– Unfortunately, the weather presented some serious challenges. The extreme heat throughout the summer took its toll on the glaciers, making it impossible to carry out our planned giant slalom training without travelling further south.
– In retrospect, the enforced slowdown may have had a positive side. By early September, my shoulder had largely recovered, allowing me to increase the intensity of my training and make up for some of the gym sessions I had missed.
– Given the circumstances, we decided to head north as early as possible and begin the 2026/27 season in Juvass, Norway. After four months, I was finally back on giant slalom skis.
– We are now in Levi, Finland, and I am already focused on the competitions ahead. Last season’s results have given me extra confidence and motivation, but they have also set a high bar for the coming winter. I am excited to see what the season brings and, above all, happy to be back skiing at full strength.
BARNABÁS SZŐLLŐS – TWO DIFFERENT CHALLENGES
– This summer was different for me, as I had another major project to focus on alongside ski racing: building my own house. Although I am still actively competing, I also believe it is important to prepare for life after professional skiing. Building a house takes a great deal of time and energy, so much of my summer was spent balancing construction work with my sporting commitments.
– There was certainly no shortage of physical activity. Working on a house may not replace a structured conditioning programme, but the summer brought plenty of demanding tasks! Finding the right balance was not always easy, but I was determined to make time for skiing as well.
– I managed to travel to Peer, Belgium, twice during the summer, where I joined Noa for slalom training at the indoor ski centre. These sessions are a valuable opportunity to keep skiing during the off-season and work on the finer details of technique. It was great to be back on the slopes with Noa and to fit in some important training despite my busy schedule.
– I have now joined Benjamin and our new team for the autumn training sessions on Austria’s reopening glaciers. Unfortunately, this summer’s exceptionally hot and dry weather has severely affected the glaciers, limiting the opportunities for early-season snow training. After such a varied summer, it feels good to be back on skis and able to focus fully on the competitions ahead.
BENJAMIN SZŐLLŐS – WORK, MOUNTAINS & TRAINING
– After a long racing season that continued until mid-April, I was finally able to put my skis aside for a while and catch up on work at NIVELCO headquarters in Budapest.
– My summer preparation began in May with the Wings for Life World Run, which has become a regular part of my annual schedule since last year. I also gained a new training partner for my endurance sessions: Max, the Border Collie my father adopted at the beginning of the year.
– After an extensive hiking trip in Norway, I escaped the summer heat by heading to Zermatt, where I spent some time working on my giant slalom technique. Skiing on a glacier at an altitude of over 4,000 metres (13,123 ft) provided a unique training environment. Between camps, I also remained actively involved in NIVELCO’s international activities, supporting our subsidiaries and working with our international teams.
– This year, the NIVELCO Racing Team’s summer conditioning camp returned to Hungary after being held in Croatia in previous years. The extreme heat made outdoor training particularly demanding, but we did our best to make the most of the conditions.
– One of the summer’s highlights came in early September, when we finally climbed Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain at 2,864 metres (9,396 ft). We had been planning this hike for years, so it was especially rewarding to finally make it happen.
– Despite the repeated heatwaves, I feel well prepared to take on the coming racing season. My winter campaign will begin after NIVELCO’s Family Sales Meeting in November, leaving some time for the final preparations before the competitions get underway.
READY FOR WINTER
The summer brought different lessons for each athlete. Noa focused on recovering from injury, Barnabás combined skiing with building the foundations for a new chapter in his life, while Benjamin balanced his sporting commitments with work and mountain adventures. Extreme weather affected everyone’s plans, but preparations continued.
With autumn glacier training now underway, the focus is shifting towards the winter season. The NIVELCO Ski Team athletes are back on snow and concentrating on the competitions ahead. The 2026/27 season is just around the corner, and soon it will be time to see what all the summer’s work will bring.