The 2024 FIS World Cup kicked off at the Sölden resort in Tyrol, Austria. While the inaugural event of the 2024-25 season was a success by all accounts, things are not looking good for the relatively nearby venue of Gurgl. Just a month after the official kick-off event, the Ski World Cup will visit Gurgl, also in Tyrol. The venue is set to make history by holding its first World Cup double slalom.

However, with just over two weeks left until the best skiers in the world arrive at the venue, a climate crisis threatens the cancelation of the event unless conditions improve. However, let’s take a look at why the FIS chose the venue in the first place and the alpine skiing events that the crisis may potentially jeopardize before looking at the cause.

All about Gurgl Ski World Cup events and race slope

Situated at an elevation of 2,475 m, the ski course on the Kirchenkar slope is among the most impressive slopes in Austria. With a maximum steepness gradient of 62% and an average gradient of 38.3%, the course in Gurgl ranks among the faster slalom courses of the World Cup. The steepest section falls just 2% short of the steepest section at Sölden’s Rettenbach.

The speed of the track is further evidenced by the fact that the 548m long racetrack only has a 210m altitude difference. So, it’s not surprising to see why the FIS decided the location for the double slalom event. The races will start near Hochgurgle and end 320m above the Top Mountain Crosspoint in the final week of November.

Dates

Saturday, November 23 – Slalom (Women)

• 10:30 CET 1st run
• 13:30 CET 2nd run

Sunday, November 24 – Slalom (Men)

• 10:30 CET 1st run
• 13:30 CET 2nd run

The official Gurgl page on Instagram even made a post on October 26. “The countdown has begun!” read the caption. “In exactly four weeks, the best ski stars will show off their skills at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Gurgl. Be there up close and experience the winter highlight of the year in a breathtaking high mountain setting!” they added. However, two weeks later, things are not looking so optimistic.

Skiing conditions in Gurgl at risk ahead of historic event

While the International Ski Federation (FIS) chooses its venues well ahead of time, they conduct something called the ‘snow control’ a week ahead of the event. Just like the Paris Olympic authorities checked the water quality of the river Seine ahead and during the Olympics, the FIS performs this crucial safety check to ensure the course is fit to host high-speed events such as the slalom.

This week the FIS performed snow control the Levi in Finland. The Finnish venue passed with flying colors, matching the minimum requirement of 60 cm (24 inches) of snow cover. While Levi will host the Ski World Cup on November 16-17, the snow cover should only improve by the time the event dates roll around. However, things are looking bleak at Gurgl.

“Soon the golden autumn splendor in Gurgl will be covered by the first blanket of snow and winter will begin. The first snowflakes are expected next week!” the official Gurgl page posted on Instagram today (November 8). However, the snow control for Gurgl is also scheduled for next week, which makes things quite precarious. Thanks to an unusually hot summer, the snowfall has been delayed.

Alban Scheiber, the organizing committee at Gurgl didn’t inspire confidence with his recent statement to the Austrian news outlet Tiroler Tageszeitung either. “We should have 5-6 colder nights to prepare the track,” said Scheiber. Currently, only a thin strip of snow lines the racing slope at the Ski World Cup venue. Without adequate snowfall, Gurgl may pass the snow control test and hence miss out on making alpine skiing history. Now only time will tell if Gurgl gets adequate snowfall to host the double slalom or if the FIS will cancel the event at the last moment.