FIS Gives Fans an Early Glimpse of the Coming Alpine World Cup Calendar.

FIS Reveals First Draft of 2026-27 Alpine World Cup Calendar

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation, better known as International Ski and Snowboard Federation, has provided an early preview of the proposed Alpine World Cup calendar for the 2026-27 campaign following a recent sub-committee meeting in Portorož, Slovenia.

While the calendar still requires official approval from the FIS Council before becoming final, the initial schedule has already generated plenty of excitement across the skiing world, particularly for American athletes and fans who are set to see several major events return to U.S. snow next winter.

The discussions in Slovenia focused heavily on achieving a fair and balanced schedule between the sport’s technical and speed disciplines. Organizers aimed to create a calendar that equally rewards specialists in slalom and giant slalom, as well as athletes competing in downhill and super-G races.

According to FIS officials, the proposed structure has already received encouraging feedback from within the skiing community.

FIS Focused on Balance Across All Disciplines

One of the main objectives during the Portorož meetings was ensuring that the World Cup calendar properly balanced the different demands of alpine skiing.

Technical skiers often thrive in slalom and giant slalom events, while speed specialists typically focus on downhill and super-G races. Creating a schedule that provides equal opportunities for both styles has long been a challenge for race organizers.

Markus Waldner explained that the proposed setup is designed to create fairness in the battle for the overall Crystal Globe, the most prestigious season-long title in alpine skiing.

“This brings fairness to the fight for the overall Crystal Globe and, from what we have heard from the athletes’ representative in today’s meeting, has been received very positively by the athlete community,” Waldner said following the discussions.

The balance between disciplines is particularly important in modern alpine skiing, where the race for the overall title increasingly depends on athletes being able to compete successfully across multiple categories throughout the winter.

Traditional Opening in Austria Remains Intact

As has become customary in alpine skiing, the new World Cup season is expected to begin in Sölden during October.

Both the men’s and women’s circuits are scheduled to open with giant slalom races on the famous Rettenbach Glacier, continuing one of the sport’s longest-standing traditions.

Sölden has regularly served as the curtain-raiser for the World Cup campaign, attracting huge crowds and setting the tone for the months ahead. The Austrian venue is regarded as one of the iconic stops on the calendar because of its dramatic setting and demanding course conditions.

From there, the tour will once again spread across multiple continents, with events scheduled throughout Europe and North America as skiers battle for points, podiums, and Crystal Globes.

U.S. Fans Set for Big Return of Major Events

American skiing supporters have several reasons to be excited about the provisional calendar because a number of high-profile U.S. venues are expected to feature prominently once again.

One of the biggest talking points is the planned return of Killington Resort to the women’s World Cup circuit.

Killington did not host its traditional World Cup weekend during the previous winter after the resort temporarily paused events to replace its famous Superstar chairlift. The absence of the Vermont venue was noticeable, given how popular the races had become among both fans and athletes in recent years.

Now, according to the draft schedule, Killington is set to reclaim its place on the calendar for the 2026-27 season.

The return of racing to Vermont is expected to deliver another electric atmosphere, with thousands of American fans typically travelling to the East Coast venue to support Team USA stars.

Sun Valley Ready to Host Again After Historic Finals

Another major highlight for U.S. skiing is the return of Sun Valley Resort to the World Cup calendar.

The Idaho resort made history during the 2024-25 campaign when it hosted the World Cup Finals for the first time ever. The event proved to be one of the standout moments of the season and showcased Sun Valley’s ability to deliver world-class ski racing on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

The finals featured several unforgettable performances from elite athletes, including a remarkable comeback moment for Lindsey Vonn.

Vonn secured her first World Cup podium since returning from retirement, continuing her dramatic comeback attempt ahead of the Winter Olympics. Her performance at Sun Valley became one of the emotional highlights of the season and drew global attention.

Meanwhile, fellow American superstar Mikaela Shiffrin also delivered a memorable display at the Idaho resort.

Shiffrin bounced back brilliantly after recovering from a serious abdominal injury suffered earlier that winter and claimed victory in the slalom event, once again reminding the skiing world why she remains one of the greatest alpine racers in history.

The provisional calendar now suggests that Sun Valley will once again host major World Cup action next season, reaffirming an announcement the resort had already teased earlier in the year.

Colorado Venues Also Included in Proposed Schedule

In addition to Killington and Sun Valley, the United States is expected to host World Cup racing at several other prominent venues.

Copper Mountain is listed as one of the planned stops for the upcoming season. The Colorado venue has become increasingly important in recent years due to its training facilities and altitude conditions, which attract elite athletes from around the world.

Meanwhile, Beaver Creek Resort also remains on the proposed schedule.

Beaver Creek has long been regarded as one of the premier speed-racing venues in alpine skiing, with the famous Birds of Prey course known for challenging even the world’s best downhill skiers.

The inclusion of multiple American venues reflects the continued importance of the U.S. market to international ski racing and ensures that fans across the country will once again have opportunities to watch elite-level competition in person.

Calendar Still Awaiting Final Approval

Although the proposed calendar already offers an exciting glimpse into next winter’s World Cup campaign, it is important to note that the schedule is not yet officially confirmed.

FIS stressed in its release that the calendar remains provisional and still requires approval from the governing body’s Council before becoming final.

Changes to dates, locations, or race formats could still occur over the coming months before the 2026-27 season officially begins.

Even so, the early draft has already created significant anticipation throughout the skiing community, especially with the return of several iconic American venues and a schedule designed to better balance the sport’s technical and speed disciplines.

If approved, the calendar promises another globe-spanning season filled with major rivalries, emotional comeback stories, and high-stakes racing as the world’s best alpine skiers continue their pursuit of Crystal Globe glory.