Green Light For 26-27 Alpine Ski World Cup Start This Weekend

The International Ski & Snowboard Federation (FIS) has given the green light for the opening races of the 26-27 Alpine Skiing World Cup to take place in Sölden in Austria this coming weekend.

The FIS  checked and approved the resort’s race course on its Rettenbach Glacier before giving the thumbs up for the race weekend from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th October 2026.

While the world’s elite, including top stars like Mikaela Shiffrin, Marco Odermatt, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen and last year’s Austrian winner Julia Scheib, are already making their final practice runs on the glacier ahead of the season opening event, preparations among fans are also well underway.

Despite a challenging summer and autumn in the Alps, Sölden is one of about 10 glaciers that have already opened for their 26-27 seasons, so it’s possible to do make some early season turns and watch the first races of the World Championship season in person with tickets available at  soelden.com.

“The excellent conditions on the race course are the result of meticulously planned preparation: the proven snow farming method, combined with high performance snow-making systems operated by Bergbahnen Sölden, guarantees a compact and race-ready base. We were able to ensure the races only thanks to 60,000 m³ of snow stockpiled in the spring specifically for the World Cup course. I would like to thank the excellent team of Bergbahnen Sölden, who have perfected the art of snow farming," says Isi Grüner, Race Course Director.

A recent spell of colder weather made it possible to activate the snowmaking systems, ensuring an ideal snow surface.

"Aside from snow-making, our experienced team can now complete all the work on the race course without needing night shifts. Again this year, the course is highly demanding, particularly on the steepest section. With three wave-like bumps leading into the finish area, the excitement remains high right to the end," explains Grüner, looking forward to the World Cup Opening.

Top international athletes like Mikaela Shiffrin (USA), Marco Odermatt (SUI) and Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA) are reported to be currently taking advantage of the prime conditions for intensive training units on Rettenbach Glacier. With gradients of up to 68 percent and an altitude difference of about 370 meters, the challenging giant slalom course requires the athletes' utmost technical precision right from the start.

Women's Competition

After the public bib draw on Friday evening, the sporting action gets underway on Saturday with the women’s giant slalom races. The first run starts at 10:00, followed by the final run at 13:00. In addition to the racing action, fans will be treated to a varied side and entertainment program: the Zwirn band will create a party atmosphere in the finish area at the glacier. In the late afternoon, starting at 17:30, the traditional Fan Club Parade - accompanied by lively Swiss Guggamusig - will wind its way from Postplatz on the valley floor to Giggijoch Gondola base station where the official women's awards ceremony and the men's bib draw will take place starting at 18:30. Followed by Beatstarz and DJ In-Style providing the perfect music for the evening.

Men's competition

On Sunday, the men take over the slope at Rettenbach Glacier. The first run starts at 10:00 and the final race for the first World Cup points of the season begins at 13:00. The Mountain Crew will provide musical entertainment in the finish area on Sunday. Immediately after the race, the official men's awards ceremony will be held against the scenic backdrop of Rettenbach Glacier.

Tickets for the World Cup Weekend are available online in advance at soelden.com and at the ticket offices on-site. All tickets include free use of the shuttle buses running from Ötztal-Bahnhof at the valley entrance to the Glacier Stadium and back again.

All images: ©Ötztal Tourismus - Tobias Siegele