Lumi Experiences Elevates Partnership, Announces Headgear Sponsorship with Olympian and World Championship Medalist Julia Kern for 2025/26 Season

Lumi Experiences, the world’s premier provider of boutique cross-country ski vacations is proud to announce an expanded partnership with US Cross Country Ski Team star, Julia Kern, designating Lumi Experiences as her official headgear sponsor for the 2025/2026 FIS Cross Country Season. This commitment helps support Julia as she prepares for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games in February.

Julia racing at the wildly popular 2024 World Cup in Minneapolis

What is a “headgear sponsor?” The International Ski Federation (FIS) requires World Cup athletes to race in their country’s national team race suit, which typically includes logos of the team’s sponsors. The only space an athlete can use to promote personal sponsors is on their hat or headband.

On the ski trail, Julia has established herself as one of the most exciting competitors on the World Cup circuit, currently completing her 10th consecutive winter traveling the circuit for months at a time. Julia is renowned for major achievements, including securing a bronze medal in the Team Sprint alongside Jessie Diggins at the 2023 World Championships in Planica, Slovenia, followed by earning a Silver medal in the Team Sprint at the 2025 World Championships in Trondheim, Norway, with multiple individual World Cup podiums along the way.

Julia works with teammate Sophia Laukli in the 50 km at 2025 World Championships in Trondheim

Julia shared that at 14 years old, she thought junior nationals were the pinnacle of cross country skiing and "didn’t even know what the World Cup was". With her ski racing and travels, Julia inspires people of all ages to get out on skis and to discover the world – two passions that align perfectly with Lumi Experiences.

Julia stops to chat with Lumi guests while training in front of the Holmenkollen ski jump in Oslo, Norway

Lumi Experiences has been supporting Julia Kern as a sponsor since 2022. Julia’s regular posts on Instagram offer insights into life on the World Cup circuit, inspiring followers with photos and videos of international travel and cross country skiing. Of course there’s a lot of skiing in Julia’s posts, and we love all things skiing (after all, Lumi is the Finnish word for snow)! But Julia’s posts are about a lot more than simply skiing. Julia also shares posts like her Photography Tips, Packing Tips, Favorite Norwegian Treats and favorite places to ski, like Toblach, Seefeld and Seiser Alm.

The elevation of Lumi as headgear sponsor comes as Julia’s previous headgear sponsor, The Memory Clinic, was unable to continue their headgear sponsorship, due to reductions in government funding from the current administration. Lumi Experiences is happy to step in and continue to support Julia's journey.

Kikkan Randall, Julia Kern and Lauren Jortberg stop by to chat with Lumi guests at the Holmenkollen World Cup in 2023. 

Supporting Julia Kern aligns with Lumi Experiences’ philanthropic support for the sport of cross country skiing. Lumi has been an enthusiastic supporter of the National Nordic Foundation (NNF) since 2018, working to support US cross-country skier development. Lumi has also been a major supporter of the Trail to Gold Fellowship (T2G), a program inspired by the coaching journey of Kristen Bourne, US Ski Team coach and one of Julia’s coaches as well. The T2G Fellowship aims to bring more women coaches to the World Cup level. Kern's strong team-first mentality reinforces Lumi’s investment in this community program. Lumi also supports organizations like the Women Ski Coaches Association and the New England Nordic Ski Association, both organizations that have had a role in supporting Julia’s journey as a skier.

Julia’s personal background also provides a unique connection to the international travel experience that Lumi offers guests. Kern holds US/German citizenship and speaks fluent German. Her parents are from Germany, and she grew up skiing the trails in Oberwiesenthal. Cross-country ski tours in Europe have been a favorite past family tradition since childhood. In recent years, the German-speaking destinations of Seefeld, Austria and Seiser Alm, Italy have often become Julia’s Christmas training locations of choice – it’s no coincidence that these are two of the most popular destinations for Lumi travelers as well.

Julia meets with Lumi guests at the Holmenkollen World Cup. 

"We are incredibly proud to step up our support for Julia Kern as her official headgear sponsor for the 2025/26 season," said Garrott Kuzzy, Founder of Lumi Experiences and fellow Olympian. "Julia is an exemplary athlete who inspires fans worldwide, and whose connection to European ski culture, fluent German and travel expertise make her an ideal ambassador for Lumi Experiences.”

Julia Kern commented on the new partnership: “There’s no better feeling than representing and being supported by people and organizations who truly care and align with what you value. That’s why I’m excited to share that I’m expanding my partnership with Lumi Experiences as my new official headgear sponsor for this season. 

Lumi has supported me since 2022 (and led trips since my first World Champs in 2019). I love how much they value community, travel, and sharing the joy of skiing. We connect on so many levels, from exploring new trails to swapping travel tips, to inspiring people of all ages to get outside and discover the world.

I’m incredibly grateful they’re stepping up this season. Their commitment to the ski community runs deep — supporting programs like the National Nordic Foundation, Trail to Gold, the Women Ski Coaches Association, and many others that have shaped my own journey. Having a partner who believes not only in my goals but in the future of our sport means a lot to me. 

From racing around Europe to sharing photography tips, favorite treats, and my go-to spots like Seefeld, Toblach, and Seiser Alm, I’m looking forward to bringing ski fans along to many of the destinations where Lumi trips go!”

Lumi founder Garrott Kuzzy pulls on his relay socks to support Julia and the US relay team at the 2023 Planica World Champs. 

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About Lumi Experiences:

Lumi Experiences offers boutique cross-country ski vacations, introducing travelers to winter cultures where nordic skiing is a part of everyday life. Founded by Olympian Garrott Kuzzy, Lumi provides guests with curated travel experiences, including opportunities to cheer on athletes like Julia Kern at World Cup, World Championship and Olympic events. Visit lumiexperiences.com/skipost to sign up for your chance to win a ski trip for two to France this winter, where you'll even be able to ski the Premanon World Cup trails where Julia races!