Lumi Experiences Announces 2025/26 Headgear Sponsorship with Olympian Julia Kern
Julia Kern waves on her way to the finish line as the top US skier in the 50 km at 2025 World Champs in Trondheim
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 shows off her new headgear for the coming World Cup season
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.
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.
From Junior Nationals to World Cup Success
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 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 meets with Lumi trip leaders, including NCAA Champion Maria Grevsgaard and Trondheim World Champs Chief of Course Silje Storaa in front of the Holmenkollen ski jump in Oslo, Norway
A Shared Passion
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.
Julia joins the Lumi group to celebrate after the 2024 Minneapolis World Cup
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 racing in the 10 km skate in the 2023 Planica World Championships
A Lifelong Nordic Ski Connection
Julia and her parents at the 2023 World Championships in Planica, Slovenia
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 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.
Lumi founder Garrott Kuzzy pulls on his relay socks to support Julia and the US relay team at the 2023 Planica World Champs
"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:
“I’m thrilled to expand my partnership with Lumi Experiences as my official headgear sponsor for the season. Lumi has supported me since 2022 and shares my passion for skiing, travel, and community. Their commitment to programs like the National Nordic Foundation and Trail to Gold inspires me, and I look forward to bringing ski fans along to destinations like Seefeld, Toblach, and Seiser Alm.”
Kikkan Randall, Julia Kern and Lauren Jortberg stop by to chat with Lumi guests at the Holmenkollen World Cup in 2023
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 expertly curated travel experiences, including opportunities to cheer on athletes like Julia Kern at World Cup and World Championship events.