Alps, ski resorts, travel

From 1 to 14 February 2027, the world’s finest alpine skiers will gather on the sun-drenched slopes of Crans-Montana, Switzerland, for the 49th FIS Alpine World Ski Championships[1][2]. Exactly forty years after hosting the historic 1987 edition—where Swiss legends like Pirmin Zurbriggen and Erika Hess dominated the medal tables—this classic Valais resort is preparing to welcome over 100,000 spectators to its natural alpine balcony[1][3]. Situated at 1,500 metres above sea level, Crans-Montana offers an open panorama stretching from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc, making it one of the most picturesque locations in winter sports[4].

The Schladming Nightrace, scheduled for 26 and 27 January 2027, marks a very special milestone as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. Since its debut in 1997, this floodlit spectacle on the famous Planai slope has grown into one of the most iconic and highly anticipated events in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup calendar[1][2]. Up to 50,000 passionate ski racing fans gather in the Styrian valley of Ennstal, transforming the finish stadium into a roaring amphitheatre of sound, complete with flags, music, and flares[1][2]. The event span consists of two nights of intense racing: the Night Giant Slalom on Tuesday evening and the legendary Night Slalom on Wednesday evening[2][3].

The 71st edition of the International Adelboden Ski Days, scheduled for 9 and 10 January 2027, is a highlight of the winter sports calendar. This traditional event in the Bernese Oberland is home to the Chuenisbärgli, widely regarded as the most demanding, prestigious, and technically difficult Giant Slalom course in the world. Over 35,000 passionate ski racing fans gather in this remote mountain village to witness the world’s elite racers confront a staggering 60% gradient on the final pitch, creating an atmospheric cauldron of cheers, flares, and traditional cowbells.

The 59th Saslong Classic, scheduled for 18 and 19 December 2026 in Dolomites Val Gardena, is a highlight of the winter sports calendar. This annual pre-Christmas speed classic brings together the world’s finest downhill racers to conquer the legendary Saslong slope, a course famous for its intense terrain transitions and high-speed jumps. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the snow-covered Langkofel (Sassolungo) mountain group in South Tyrol, the event attracts thousands of enthusiastic spectators who gather to witness the Men’s Super-G on Friday, 18 December, followed by the prestigious Men’s Downhill on Saturday, 19 December 2026.

The 2026 Alpine Ski World Cup in Val d’Isère, featuring the 71st Critérium de la Première Neige on 12 and 13 December 2026, represents a highlight of the winter sports calendar. This prestigious early-season event gathers the world’s elite skiers to compete on the famously steep and icy slopes of the Tarentaise valley. While the December 2026 schedule focuses on the men’s technical disciplines—the Giant Slalom and Slalom on the fearsome Face de Bellevarde—the resort also celebrates its rich speed racing legacy on the classic Oreiller-Killy (O.K.) slope in La Daille, which traditionally hosts the women’s speed week events.

The Audi FIS Women’s Alpine Ski World Cup returns to the dramatic peaks of Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, from 15 to 17 January 2027. This edition holds a special place in the history of the sport, representing the first post-Olympic World Cup held in the Ampezzo Valley following the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The world’s elite female speed specialists will gather once more to tackle the legendary Olympia delle Tofane slope, a course celebrated for its technical speed turns, spectacular jumps, and the intense atmosphere of its finish stadium. The three-day event features back-to-back fast disciplines: two Downhill races on Friday and Saturday, followed by the high-speed Super-G on Sunday.

The 61st season of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup (2026/27) is set to be one of the most exciting winters in recent memory for winter sports fans. Spanning the most historic and demanding mountain resorts in the European Alps, the calendar brings together the world’s elite speed and technical skiers to battle on iconic courses. Spectators can look forward to witnessing legendary races, including the high-stakes Downhill on the Streif in Kitzbühel, the technical giant slalom on the Chuenisbärgli in Adelboden, and the dramatic night slalom on the Planai in Schladming. The absolute highlight of the winter is the 49th FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, which will take place on the sunny Swiss slopes of Crans-Montana from 1 to 14 February 2027.

Attending a live FIS Alpine Ski World Cup race is one of the most thrilling experiences in winter sports. The sensory overload of the event—the deafening clang of traditional cowbells, the smell of mulled wine, and the unbelievable speed of the world’s best skiers carving down sheer sheets of ice—is unmatched. While watching these races on television is exciting, standing at the base of the course as a racer crosses the finish line provides a raw perspective of the sheer bravery and skill required to compete at this level.

The 97th International Lauberhorn Races, taking place from 15 to 17 January 2027 in the car-free mountain village of Wengen, are a highlight of the winter sports calendar[1][2]. As the longest and one of the most physically demanding downhill runs on the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup circuit, the Lauberhorn course stretches over 4.48 kilometres, challenging athletes with jumps, high-speed straights, and tight technical turns[2][3]. Framed by the dramatic peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, the event attracts tens of thousands of passionate spectators who gather to experience the high-octane atmosphere and witness history in the making[2][4].