As the FIFA World Cup reaches the business end of the tournament, our own League of Mountain Nations has become just as compelling.

When we created Ready Steady Slope, we didn't set out to predict footballing success. We simply wanted to celebrate some of the world's greatest skiing and snowboarding destinations. Yet, by coincidence, all five of the countries featured in our game also qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, so we've briefly swapped our ski boots for football boots and are following along.

Now, entering the Round of 16, only three mountain nations remain.

🇫🇷 France

🇨🇭 Switzerland

🇨🇦 Canada

Sadly, we've had to say goodbye to two contenders.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland's World Cup journey ended in the group stage, while 🇦🇹Austria bowed out after a hard-fought defeat to Spain last night. The field has become a little smaller, but the competition at the top has never been tighter.

🇫🇷France: The Undisputed Mountain Superpower

If mountain resorts won football matches, France would have been tournament favourites from the very beginning.

No country in Ready Steady Slope is represented by more legendary ski destinations:

• Chamonix
• Alpe d'Huez
• Val d'Isère
• Tignes
• La Plagne
• Val Thorens
• Courchevel
• Méribel
• Avoriaz
• Les Arcs
• Les Trois Vallées

Together they represent almost every style of alpine adventure imaginable. Historic mountaineering towns, glacier skiing, enormous linked ski domains and some of the world's highest lift-served terrain.

Appropriately, France also tops our League of Mountain Nations, boasting a perfect record so far.

Perhaps there's something about growing up around mountains that breeds winners.

🇨🇭Switzerland: Small Country. Giant Peaks.

Switzerland may only feature one resort in Ready Steady Slope, but what a resort it is.

Verbier is legendary. Steep terrain. Epic off-piste. Stunning views across the Alps. It's a destination that belongs on every skier's bucket list.

Like their famous mountain village, the Swiss national team has quietly gone about its business, proving once again that organisation, consistency and resilience can take you deep into a tournament.

Second place in our League table.

Still very much in contention.

🇨🇦Canada: Flying the Flag for North America

Canada's World Cup has captured plenty of attention—and so has Whistler.

As the only North American mountain nation represented in Ready Steady Slope, Canada carries the hopes of an entire continent.

Whistler has long been one of the world's iconic ski destinations. Massive vertical, incredible tree skiing, legendary snowfall and enough terrain to keep visitors exploring for weeks.

Much like the Canadian national team, it combines youthful energy with growing confidence.

Still standing.

Still dreaming.

🇦🇹Farewell to Austria

Austria's exit last night was disappointing for mountain lovers.

Home to St. Anton and Mayrhofen, Austria has shaped skiing history for generations. St. Anton remains one of the birthplaces of modern alpine skiing, while Mayrhofen is famous for everything from family cruising to the formidable Harakiri piste.

They may be leaving the football tournament, but they'll always be mountain royalty.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Scotland is Out... Avie-no-more!

Scotland's World Cup adventure ended in the group stage, but Aviemore and the Cairngorms remain an important part of Ready Steady Slope's story.

Not every mountain has to be the highest.

Sometimes it's simply the one that made you fall in love with winter.

🏆Who will lift the World Cup?

We'll be cheering every goal, every upset (we think our own Red piste game cards are much more fun than a Red card in the football) and every dramatic penalty shootout—while keeping our own unofficial League of Mountain Nations updated alongside the tournament.

Mountains Bring People Together

One of the things we love most about skiing and snowboarding is that the mountains don't care which flag is on your jacket.

Whether you've carved fresh corduroy in Val Thorens, wandered the streets of Chamonix, watched the sun rise over Verbier, explored Whistler, tackled St. Anton, or enjoyed spring skiing in Mayrhofen, every resort creates memories that last far longer than a football tournament.

That's exactly why those resorts became part of Ready Steady Slope.

The World Cup will crown one champion ⚽

But in the mountains, everyone who shares a chairlift, helps a stranger after a fall, or celebrates the last run of the day is already on the same team.

Good luck to France, Switzerland and Canada.

May the best mountain nation win. 🏔️⚽