The son of Martin Julen, an alpine skier who participated in the 1956 Winter Olympics, Max Julen made his international debut for Switzerland at a 1982 World Cup event in Morzine, France, where he was 13th in the Giant Slalom. Less than two weeks later he had his first podium finish, third, and made an appearance at the World Championships the following month, where he was again 13th. He achieved his first World Cup victory in 1983 and followed it up with a surprise gold medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics. Julen continued skiing through 1986, but never again matched his Olympic success. He retired in 1987 with a total of 11 podium finishes at the World Cup, all but one of which was in the Giant Slalom and the only victory being his 1983 success. He also had a second appearance at the World Championships, in 1985, but came in 10th in the Giant Slalom. He had a brief professional stint on the U.S. tour from 1988 through 1990, and then returned to Switzerland to work at his family’s hotel. Since 1996 he has run the Hotel Beau-Rivage, as well as the affiliated Restaurant Chez Max in Zermatt, and he is also active as a golfer.
Switzerland