Ski World Cup 2026/27 Starts This Weekend in Sölden, Then Heads to Gurgl

Ski racing is back. The 2026/27 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup opens this weekend on the Rettenbach Glacier above Sölden, and four weeks later the circuit returns to the same Austrian valley for the slalom in Gurgl. Here’s what’s happening, when, and where to ski if you fancy seeing it for yourself.

When does the 2026/27 Ski World Cup season start?

It’s hard to believe that the start of the 2026/27 FIS World Cup ski racing season is just weeks away.

As usual, the tour for both men and women will kick off in Austria’s stunning Ötztal Valley, famed for its reliable early autumn snow cover thanks to its high-altitude terrain and glacier slopes.

Sölden: the season opener on the Rettenbach Glacier

The AUDI FIS Ski World Cup Opening Sölden will get the FIS 2026/27 Alpine Skiing World Cup tour started on Saturday, 24 October, in Sölden, one of fewer than a dozen areas where the new season is already underway! The women traditionally open with the season’s first giant slalom race on the Rettenbach Glacier, before the men complete their fast runs through the blue and red gates the following day.

Gurgl: World Cup slalom in November

Four weeks later, the tour converges again, back in the Ötztal Valley. This time, the races are in nearby Gurgl, which is famously one of the first resorts to open non-glacier ski slopes each autumn, thanks to its high altitude.

Gurgl will kick off its winter season with a women’s slalom on Saturday, 21 November, and a men’s slalom the following day. The exciting races begin on the Kirchenkar piste in Hochgurgl and finish 320m above the Top Mountain Crosspoint.

What else happens on World Cup race weekends?

There’s plenty of excitement before and after both weekends of racing, with bib draws, medal ceremonies and plenty of partying for all. In Gurgl, the races are rounded off with exclusive evening events at the Gurgl Carat Congress and Events Centre in Obergurgl.

Can you ski in the Ötztal while the World Cup is on?

You can, and that’s half the appeal. Plenty of people watching in the finish area have skis on their shoulders, and the same altitude that guarantees the racing also gives you some of the most dependable autumn skiing in the Alps.

Sölden’s glacier skiing gets going long before most of the Alps has seen a flake, which is exactly why the World Cup starts here. If you’re tempted by an October or early November trip, our guide to first tracks in Sölden covers what’s open, where to stay and how to make the most of a short break.

A short drive up the valley, Gurgl’s high base makes it a natural pick for late November and December. Find out more in our Gurgl in Ötztal resort guide and our Obergurgl page, or browse the full list of resorts in First Tracks: The Best Resorts for Early-Season Skiing.

Planning to watch the races in person?

Race start times, bib draw details and any ticketing information are confirmed by the organisers in the run-up to each weekend, so check the official Sölden World Cup programme and the Gurgl website before you travel. Wrap up well. Standing in a glacier finish area in October is colder than it looks on TV.

Ski World Cup Sölden and Gurgl: FAQs

When is the Sölden World Cup 2026?

The AUDI FIS Ski World Cup Opening in Sölden takes place on Saturday 24 October (women’s giant slalom) and Sunday 25 October 2026 (men’s giant slalom), opening the 2026/27 Alpine Ski World Cup season.

When is the Gurgl World Cup slalom?

Gurgl hosts a women’s slalom on Saturday 21 November and a men’s slalom on Sunday 22 November 2026, four weeks after the Sölden opener.

Where are the Ötztal World Cup races held?

The Sölden giant slaloms are raced on the Rettenbach Glacier. The Gurgl slaloms start on the Kirchenkar piste in Hochgurgl and finish 320m above the Top Mountain Crosspoint, with evening events at the Gurgl Carat Congress and Events Centre in Obergurgl.

Whether you’re watching from the sofa or the finish area, the new season starts here.