Alpine skiing returns to upper austria after 34 years

Oberösterreich is set to revive its alpine World Cup hosting tradition, welcoming the event back after a 34-year hiatus. The Gosau region will replace Lienz in the 2026/27 season, marking a significant shift in the World Cup calendar.

Gosau to host alpine world cup races

The ÖSV (Austrian Ski Federation) announced the new arrangement on Monday. The Hornspitz near Gosau in the Salzkammergut region will host the giant slalom on December 28th and the slalom on December 29th, marking the first time the venue will appear on the women's alpine World Cup schedule.

This move follows Lienz's recent role as a host, which alternated with Semmering every two years. Hinterstoder last hosted a women's World Cup race in 1992, while Hinterstoder was the last Austrian venue to host a men's event in 2020.

“We are very pleased to present Gosau as a new, attractive World Cup host and thank the FIS, especially CEO Urs Lehmann and Women's Race Director Peter Gerdol, for their trust,” stated Christian Scherer, Secretary General of the ÖSV.

The decision signals a strategic effort to diversify the World Cup circuit within Austria and provide new opportunities for athletes. The course's challenging terrain is expected to attract top international competitors.

The return of the World Cup to Upper Austria offers a boost to the region's tourism industry and reinforces Austria's position as a key destination for alpine skiing.

This change in hosting venues underscores the evolving dynamics of the World Cup circuit and the continuous search for compelling locations.