Crans-Montana, Switzerland has been awarded the 2027 Alpine World Ski Championships over the other three finalists: Narvik, Norway; Soldeu El Tarter / Grandvalira, Andorra; and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
Thanks to a solid Candidature and excellent teamwork between the Candidature Committee, the political authorities, the Ski Lift Company, and Swiss-Ski, Crans-Montana was rewarded in Milan.
Narvik and Soldeu tied for runner-up with three votes each, while Garmish-Partenkirchen earned only one vote.
Crans-Montana received 11 of the 18 total votes in support of hosting World Ski Championships 2027
The best skiers in the world will compete for the second time on the Haut-Plateau, 40 years after the first one was held in 1987. More recently, the Swiss hosted the 2017 World Championships in St. Moritz.
"Obtaining the 2027 World Championships is the reward for the excellent work of the whole team over the last few years, rejoiced Urs Lehmann, president of Swiss-Ski and vice-president of the Candidature Committee. If our project was the most convincing, it is because everyone, from the Commune to the Canton, pulled together. We also benefited from large support from the ski lifts and the population. of the FIS Council recognized and honored him". The 1993 downhill world champion is himself one of the decision-makers and was, therefore, able to give his voice to the Valais candidacy.
Chairman of the Candidature Committee, Nicolas Féraud also refers to a "Very high-level candidacy" which makes him "proud". The President of the Association of Municipalities of Crans-Montana already promises to "put everything in place to make the event memorable" and intends to take advantage of the experience accumulated during the organization of the Coupe du FIS world in particular. "The technical knowledge as well as the enthusiasm of the population for skiing are widely recognized in Valais and particularly in Crans-Montana".
For his part, Marius Robyr expects a "grandiose ski festival which will be attended by more than 200,000 spectators and, once again, breathtaking Swiss performances on the snow". The Executive Director of the Candidature underlines the "enormous experience" of Crans-Montana, which has organized World Cup and European Cup events almost every year since 2008. The Valais resort also successfully hosted the European Cup finals in 2009 and the Junior World Championships in 2011.
"The mythical tracks of the Nationale and Mont Lachaux have been completely redeveloped in recent years. Our master plan, established several years ago, has borne fruit", rejoices the Vice-Executive Director of the Candidature Hugo Steinegger. . "A new state-of-the-art, multifunctional finish stadium will also be built between now and the World Championships".