Skiing is one of the most exhilarating sports in the world. The act of racing downhill at incredible speed gives viewers a heavy adrenaline rush, which is why it is so well-liked across the world. Thankfully, the FIS Ski World Cup arrives soon with its much-needed dosage of skiing action in vast snowy venues.

The whole thing kicks off in Solden, Austria on October 27th. Thus begins the extravaganza, which will last about six months. However, one may not realize just how challenging it is to handle a snowboard on a steep downhill slope covered in massive amounts of snow. This is what makes the sport so difficult. Some venues are tougher than others and have gained notoriety for their extreme difficulty. Here are five such venues.

Top 5 Toughest FIS Ski World Cup Locations

Streif, Kitzbühel, Austria

Located in Kitzbühel, Austria, the Streif is considered one of the toughest downhill slopes in the entire competition. The alpine races are held on Mount Hahnenkamm, which also recently hosted the iconic Lauberhorn race in Wengen, Switzerland. The first race on the Streif course took place in 1937, highlighting its long and storied legacy.

The current course record is an impressive 1:51.58 minutes, set by Fritz Strobl in 1999. The course stretches 3.312 meters with a vertical drop of 860 meters. The steepest section of the slope has an 85% gradient, while the gentlest is just 2%. The Streif has been a key part of major ski tournaments for many years and is set to host the FIS Ski World Cup event from January 21st to 26th.

Lauberhorn, Wengen, Switzerland

Lauberhorn which is located in Wengen, Switzerland is also known for its dangerous venue. The largest skiing location in the Jungfrau region, it connects the Kleine Scheidegg mountain pass and Männlichen mountain. It is one of the most famous ski venues in the world as it started operating way back in 1930.

Ever since then, despite being a small village, it has accommodated the FIS Ski World Cup. The downhill of the venue is world-famous and they recommend nonprofessionals to go slow as they might seriously injure themselves. But, when the pros will be competing, it will be a sight to behold. Thus, it’ll be hosting the World Cup this year from January 14th to 19th.

Birds of Prey, Beaver Creek, USA

Located in Beaver Creek, Colorado, Birds of Prey is one of the most famous skiing locations in the USA. With a vertical height of 2,470 ft and a top elevation of 11,427 ft, it’s a highly dangerous slope to ski on. Situated 8,957 ft above sea level, the course is renowned for its challenging terrain and steep pitches, making it one of the toughest downhill courses in the world.

Birds of Prey has hosted the FIS World Cup since 1999 and was also the main course in the 2015 World Alpine Championships. Thus, it certainly has the required credentials to make things really exciting. They are set to host the world cup from 6th to 8th December.

Saslong, Val Gardena, Italy

The 1970 World Championships which were hosted in Val Gardena helped create the Saslong piste. Now, it is considered as one of the most important downhill ski races in the world. Famous racers like Peter Muller, Franz Klammer, and Pirmin Zurbriggen have won in this venue.

Starting at an elevation of 2,249 meters, just below the Ciampinoi ski lift, the 3,446-meter course descends into Val Gardena, finishing in the village of Santa Cristina. The course features an average gradient of 24%, with a maximum gradient of 56.9%, making for a thrilling and challenging race. It will host the FIS Ski World Cup on December 20th and 21st.

Bormio, Italy

With a slope of 65%, Bormio, Italy, is considered one of the toughest skiing locations in the world. Located in Alta Valtellina, it features one of the best summit-to-base slopes, with a vertical drop of 1,800 meters. This challenging terrain has made Bormio the official venue for the 2026 Winter Olympics. It is also the perfect location for the FIS Ski World Cup, which will host an event there on December 28th and 29th.

Thus, with so many exciting locations, the FIS Ski World Cup is all set to be an incredible experience. This goes for both competitors and viewers. It promises exhilarating races in brilliant venues, thus many will tune in.