Narvik Pulls Out of World Cup Leg Over Construction Risks at Venue

Narvik (Norway) will not host the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup event scheduled for 10–13 March 2027. The organising committee has withdrawn from staging the competition after assessing the risks associated with completing construction of the new facility. The women’s downhill and super-G were due to take place there in March.

The Norwegian side believes it is technically possible to complete the work, carry out testing, commission the facility and obtain homologation by the deadline. However, such a schedule entails significant risks. FIS and the Norwegian Ski Federation have therefore already begun looking for an alternative venue for the event. More detailed information is expected to be published shortly.

“Narvik has undertaken major construction work to improve its infrastructure and is doing an excellent job with it. However, we simply cannot afford to take risks ahead of a World Cup event. We have all agreed that it would be better for Narvik to focus all its efforts on creating a state-of-the-art facility for the 2029 World Alpine Ski Championships,” said FIS race director Peter Gerdol.

Knut-Eirik Dybdal, CEO of the 2029 World Championships organising committee, stressed that cancelling the event would not change Narvik’s plans to host the World Championships. “The decision to withdraw from staging the World Cup event does not affect our ambitions for the 2029 World Championships. On the contrary, we want our resources to be used to create the best possible conditions for staging the championships at the highest level. We are confident in this project, this facility and Narvik as the host of the future World Championships,” he said.

Narvik was awarded the right to host the 2029 World Alpine Ski Championships in summer 2024. In the vote, the FIS Council favoured the Norwegian bid, “edging out” Val Gardena. The Italian resort was ultimately awarded the right to host the 2031 World Championships.

In the women’s World Cup calendar for the 2026/27 season, Narvik was listed as the final event before the American finals, scheduled for the end of March. The next downhill races are due to take place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where two women’s events will be held. The races in Soldeu are then scheduled for 6–7 March.

Kvitfjell is being considered as a possible replacement for Narvik. For now, the Norwegian resort’s schedule includes only men’s events, which are due to take place on the first weekend of March. The calendar includes no other World Cup events in Norway.

Photo: Narvik website. 16:59, 19.10.26.