Saalbach Hinterglemm to Host Men's World Cup Downhill and Super-G in February 2027
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Saalbach Hinterglemm is returning to the FIS Ski World Cup calendar less than two years after hosting the 2025 Alpine World Ski Championships.
Two men's speed races - a downhill and a Super-G - have been confirmed on the Zwölferkogel for February 27th and 28th, 2027. The stop fills a gap left by Courchevel, which was removed from the 2026/2027 calendar in a late adjustment formally proposed at the FIS Spring Conference.
How It Came About
The swap wasn't a long-planned arrangement. According to the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV), the solution was put together at short notice after Courchevel's slot became available. ÖSV General Secretary Christian Scherer framed the quick turnaround as evidence that Austria remains a dependable host nation within the World Cup circuit - which is a fairly diplomatic way of saying they got it done when others couldn't.
The Zwölferkogel's Recent Form
The Zwölferkogel slope is not unfamiliar territory for top-level racing. Saalbach Hinterglemm hosted the 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships across its mountain network, and by most accounts the organisation and on-hill conditions held up well under significant scrutiny. That experience is now being leaned on to justify the late addition to the calendar - and it's a reasonable argument to make.
Late Season Logistics
The late February timing brings its own complications. The 2027 races land in the middle of peak season, which puts pressure on accommodation, transport, and the operational side of running a major event alongside normal resort traffic. Saalbach's mayor Alois Hasenauer has expressed enthusiasm, as has the local tourism association - though enthusiasm and logistics are different things. The resort will need to manage both simultaneously.
Bigger Picture
For Saalbach, this isn't just about filling two spots on a calendar. The region has been building toward a more permanent presence in international racing, and the 2025 Championships were clearly intended as a launching pad. Adding World Cup speed events to the post-Championships period keeps that momentum going. Whether it translates into a long-term fixture on the circuit remains to be seen, but the intent is clear enough.