The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) announced last week that the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana will host the 2027 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. The hosting contract between the local organizing committee (LOC), the municipalities, Swiss-Ski, and FIS was signed on September 13. The hosting contract ensures the smooth running of the event to FIS standards. With the agreement in place, the last missing milestone was reached for the World Championships from February 1-14, 2027.
“With the bid requirements complied, we can all focus on preparing another great edition of the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships.”
– Johan Eliasch, FIS President
Crans-Montana had been awarded the prestigious 2027 World Championships ahead of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany, Narvik in Norwegen, and Soldeu in Andorra in May 2022. However, ongoing arguments between the Swiss Ski Association, Swiss Ski, and FIS around financial guarantees escalated, and in February this year, FIS threatened to withdraw the honor of hosting the World Championships from Crans-Montana. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation went as far as publicly accusing Swiss Ski of lying in its bid documents about federal and cantonal funding being in place. Federal councilor Guy Parmelin rejected these accusations, explaining in an interview with Keystone-SDA that the federal government, the federal council, and the parliament had voted on the financial guarantees back in 2022 and that they had been approved. Swiss Ski also rejected the accusations by FIS, confirming that funding for the event was long approved on a federal level.
FIS secretary Michel Vion was referring to the previous disagreements in the FIS press release with a diplomatic statement, explaining, “It took us longer than expected to confirm a decision that should have been very clear, but now it is time to set the stage for a phenomenal Alpine ski celebration in 2027.” The local communities of Crans-Montana, Icogne, and Lens shared the relief that the discussions were behind them and stated that they were happy to be able to fully concentrate on the organization of the World Championships in 2027.
EPIC pass holders should mark the event in their 2027 calendar as Vail Resorts acquired the majority stake in the Swiss resort in 2023. Crans-Montana is located in the canton of Valais/Wallis on the French-speaking side, about two hours from the Geneva Airport. The resort features 140 km (87 miles) of groomed runs spread across 50 pistes and has been one of Switzerland’s most glamorous ski resorts for decades. The resort previously hosted the 1987 FIS Alpine World Championships.
The 2025 World Championships will be held in Saalbach, Austria, from February 4-16. Skicircus Saalbach combines the resorts of Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Leogang, and Fieberbrunn. Aside from 168 miles (270km) of groomed slopes, the ski area has a dedicated freeride area in Leogang. The resort is serviced by 70 lifts and cable cars and has an hourly capacity of 144,974 pax. The three new gondolas to be installed will boost the capacity in the resort by almost 3,000 pax. The ski resort sees an annual 2.5 million visitors on average, making it one of the most visited ski areas in the world.
