World Cup Slope
Great excitement in the high mountains on Kirchenkar slope – The AUDI FIS Ski World Cup Gurgl is a true spectacle, not just thanks to the unique backdrop. Above all, the steep racing slope – Gurgl’s World Cup piste, promises extraordinary scenes. Experts agree that the still young slalom race at Kirchenkar already has the potential to become a real classic. The highly challenging World Cup slope plays a large part in this.
Facts & figures
The race slope at Kirchenkar takes the breath away even of experienced racing professionals as both men and women have to conquer the same demanding race course. This is not only due to the high altitude - the start is at an impressive 2,475 m above sea level - but above all due to the steepness of the slalom track with a maximum gradient of 62% and a difference in altitude of only 210 m over a course length of 548 m. A really worthy slope in the Ski World Cup circus.
Just for comparison: the giant slalom slope on Sölden’s Rettenbach glacier has a maximum gradient of 65%, the legendary night race on Planai in Schladming 52%. But it is not just the technical data of the race course that convinces FIS, racers, ski fans and officials. Above all, the high altitude beyond 2,000 m and the resulting snow reliability speak in favor of Gurgl.
However, these prime conditions are not only available to racing professionals, but also for all skiing enthusiasts because the entire ski area is already open at the time of the race! Top quality skiing from mid-November to late April.
Technical data
Comments on the Gurgl World Cup Slope
„The piste was really intense.”
Dave Ryding, British slalom skier & Gurgl brand ambassador
„The slope is fairly steep. The 210 altitude meters are almost the maximum allowed in slalom. The course is therefore quite challenging.”
Armin Achhorner, race course director of Gurgl‘s World Cup Slope
„The first slalom of the season will certainly be a spectacle on this slope.”
Janez Hladnik, FIS race director
Scent the racing air in Gurgl
The Gurgl World Cup slope is located on the steep piste above Top Mountain Crosspoint - near the red ski piste no. 42. The steep slope was specially prepared for the Alpine Ski World Cup so that the professionals enjoy perfect conditions. “Perfect” here clearly means: icy. Because that’s what the ski racers want. Only very skilled skiers with freshly tuned and prepared skis can stay on such a slope on the race day. That's why many assistants and volunteers even wear crampons on the steepest passages.
But don't worry: all other slopes are of course groomed for “normal” skiing. Therefore you can easily ski to the Gurgl World Cup slope and cheer on the racers on both sides of the race track. If you want to go on a similarly steep slope, we recommend to try the steepest slope in the Gurgl ski area: black piste no. 28 at Top Mountain Star features a gradient of 45%.
Spectacular World Cup premiere in 2023
The very first Alpine Ski World Cup took place in Gurgl on 18 November 2023. The World Cup slope was perfectly groomed, the weather was brilliantly beautiful and the fan crowds created a fabulous race atmosphere. A truly unrivaled spectacle that became even more spectacular after the last racer: Manuel Feller won ahead of Marco Schwarz and Michael Matt. An Austrian slalom triple victory in Gurgl! Three Austrians at the top of the slalom ranking - the last time that such a highlight happened was in Wengen in 2001. Gurgl's "local hero" Dave Ryding was also very fast and secured fourth place. A true ski racing spectacle with a red-white-red podium, followed by our local hero from Great Britain - material that skiing dreams are made of.