Kitzbühel Declares ‘Race Ready’ for 86th Hahnenkamm World Cup
With just days to go before the legendary 86th Hahnenkamm Races, organizers and International Ski Federation (FIS) officials have confirmed that preparations are complete. The legendary Streif and Ganslern courses are officially “race-ready” as snow conditions improve dramatically in the Tyrolean Alps.
The event is set to kick off on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, continuing a tradition that has made Kitzbühel one of the most celebrated and feared venues in alpine skiing.
Final Preparations Underway
Course crews and safety teams have finished the final snow inspections and grooming on the famed downhill track. According to FIS Race Director Hannes Trinkl, both the Streif and Ganslern are in excellent condition. Recent snowfall—up to 20 centimeters in some areas—has improved run stability and safety zones, a stark contrast to the unstable avalanche conditions seen in Salzburg this week.
Organizers say ticket sales are on record pace, with the traditional Saturday downhill nearly sold out. This mirrors the high demand seen recently for Eurovision 2026 tickets in Vienna, proving that Austria’s major events are booming.
The Schedule: A Week of Speed
The official schedule, confirmed on January 17, outlines the key training and race sessions for the week:
- Jan 20 (Tue): Downhill Training 1
- Jan 21 (Wed): Downhill Training 2 & Juniors Action
- Jan 23 (Fri): Hahnenkamm Super-G
- Jan 24 (Sat): Hahnenkamm Downhill — the highlight of the week
- Jan 25 (Sun): Slalom on the Ganslernhang
Free admission is offered for the training runs, attracting ski fans globally to witness the athletes testing their lines before the main events.
Ice, Speed, and Spectacle
The Hahnenkamm Races are widely regarded as the most demanding events on the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup circuit. Competitors must navigate steep gradients like the Mausefalle (Mousetrap) and the Steilhang, often exceeding speeds of 140 km/h. The event’s prize purse remains among the highest on the season calendar.
Fans heading to Kitzbühel this week will enjoy more than just elite racing. The town is buzzing with winter activities, hospitality, and cultural highlights, reflecting its status as one of Austria’s top alpine destinations recently named Austria’s Best Ski Resort for the 13th consecutive year.
This celebration comes at a welcome time for the region, following recent weather disruptions that saw the closure of the Brentenberg Tunnel, which had hampered travel to ski resorts.
Beyond the Main Event: Inclusivity on the Slopes
Once the World Cup circus leaves town, Kitzbühel’s alpine calendar continues with the Virtus Open on the Kitzbüheler Horn. This new international event for athletes with intellectual disabilities is scheduled for February 4–7. The series includes Super-G, giant slalom, and slalom races, promoting inclusion and high-level competition for competitors from multiple nations.
As winter deepens across the Alps, ski fans from around the world are expected to pack the slopes and village of Kitzbühel, where snow, speed, and tradition converge on one of sport’s most iconic stages.
