Gurgl 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: Gurgl World Cup Slope

The race slope at Kirchenkar takes even experienced racers' breath away. This is not only due to the altitude of the race - the start is at 2,475 m above sea level. Especially the steepness of the slalom course (altitude difference of 210 m with a course length of 548 m) is unparalleled in the World Cup scene. With a maximum gradient of 62%, Gurgl's World Cup slope is in good company. Useful for comparison: the giant slalom slope on Rettenbach Glacier in Sölden has a maximum gradient of 65%, the legendary night race on Planai in Schladming has a maximum gradient of 52%. But it's not just the technical data of the race course that impress racers, spectators and officials. Above all, the high altitude and the respective snow reliability speak in favor of the races in Gurgl. And it's not just the ski racers who find the best conditions here at this time of year. The entire ski area is already open at the time of the race. This stands for ultimate fun on the slopes for all ski lovers from mid-November.

Technical data of "Kirchenkar Gurgl" slope

Starting altitude	2.475 m
Finish altitude	2.265 m
Difference in altitude	210 m
Track length	548 m
Minimum inclination	18 %
Maximum inclination	62 %
Average inclination	38,3 %

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%.

Gurgl ski slope map in 2D & 3D

Spectacular World Cup premiere in 2023

Gurgl World Cup Manuel Feller Marco Schwarz Michael Matt

The first Alpine Ski World Cup race took place in Gurgl on 18 November 2023. The Gurgl World Cup slope is perfectly prepared, the weather is fine and the crowds of fans create a fabulous atmosphere. Everything and everyone is ready for a real skiing spectacle. It becomes truly magical when the last athlete reaches the finish line: Manuel Feller wins ahead of Marco Schwarz and Michael Matt. An Austrian slalom triple victory in Gurgl! Three Austrians at the top of the slalom world – that was last celebrated in Wengen in 2001. Gurgl's “local hero” Dave Ryding is also very fast on the Gurgl World Cup slope and secures fourth place behind the Austrian trio. The first Alpine Ski World Cup race in Gurgl will go down in the history books as a perfect skiing fairytale.

Comments on the Gurgl World Cup Slope

Dave Ryding, British slalom skier & Gurgl brand ambassador:

„The piste was really intense.”

Armin Achhorner, race course director of Gurgl‘s World Cup Slope:

"The slope is fairly steep. The 210 altitude meters are almost the maximum allowed in slalom. The course is therefore quite challenging."

Janez Hladnik, FIS race director:

“The first slalom of the season will certainly be a spectacle on this slope.”