160 days to go: Crans-Montana 2027 prepares for the great celebration of skiing

From planning to implementation

For several years, the Crans-Montana 2027 teams have been imagining, planning and designing every detail of the event. With 160 days to go until the start, a crucial stage is now underway: implementation.

The concepts have now been approved, decisions have been made and the first temporary structures are about to take shape. The teams are continuing to grow to support this ramp-up, while collaboration with key partners - in particular the CMA mountain transport company, the "Association des communes de Crans-Montana" and Swiss-Ski - is intensifying to ensure the coordination of all operations.

“From now on, every week will see the World Championships take a little more shape. All our teams are working towards a common goal: to deliver a memorable event that brings athletes, media, partners, volunteers and spectators together around a shared passion, while leaving a lasting legacy for our region,” says Didier Défago, CEO of Crans-Montana 2027.

A countdown marked by key milestones

The next 160 days will be marked by a succession of deadlines that will gradually transform Crans-Montana into the world capital of alpine skiing.

The logistics teams are already working on the delivery and carefully planned distribution of equipment across the various storage areas, ensuring that every item is available at the right place and at the right time.

On the slopes, the scale of this operation is impressive: more than 40 kilometres of safety netting, 2,300 poles, nearly 900 tonnes of equipment and numerous other technical items will have to be delivered, distributed and installed before the competitions. On the human resources side, around 60 people make up the technical team. They have been mobilised on an ad hoc basis since this summer and will work more regularly from the beginning of 2027.

At the same time, the technical infrastructure is undergoing thorough inspections, covering cabling, safety installations and the various pieces of equipment essential to the organisation.

The final construction work on the permanent infrastructure is also nearing completion. By the end of August, work on the Mélèzes wall will be completed, while the improvements related to snowmaking on the former Nationale slope, as well as those on the Barzettes road and square, will enter their final phase.

From mid-September, the Barzettes site will change significantly as construction of the temporary infrastructure begins: grandstands, the mixed zone, VIP tent and operational offices will be installed.

From 23 to 25 September 2026, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) will carry out its final official inspection. The visit will provide an opportunity to review the various competition and operational sites:

• Nationale and Mont Lachaux slopes
• Barzettes (finish stadium and F&B)
• Vermala (grandstand and F&B)
• Houlès & 2006 (spectator areas)
• Ycoor (entertainment and ceremonies area & House of Switzerland)
• Crans (entertainment area)
• Moubra (media centre)
• School Centre (race office and accreditation)
• Crans Cry d’Er (service compound)
• Régent (staff centre and concerts)

The opening of the ski area, scheduled for the end of November, will mark another important milestone. In close collaboration with CMA, the teams will then begin preparing the Mont Lachaux and Nationale slopes to ensure they meet the very high standards required for international alpine ski competitions.

Finally, on 1 February 2027, the countdown will come to an end with the opening ceremony, which will officially launch two weeks of celebration of world-class skiing.

Race programme

An organisation on a whole new scale

While Crans-Montana has regularly hosted World Cup races since 2008, the World Championships represent a significantly larger undertaking.

Over 14 days, nearly 600 athletes from around 80 nations will compete on the Mont Lachaux and Nationale slopes. The infrastructure will also match the scale of this exceptional event: up to 10’000 spectators will be accommodated in the finish stadium, nearly 1’000 VIP guests will be welcomed each day, while 42 office containers, 140 waxing containers and 40 commentator cabins will be made available to the various stakeholders involved in the event.

Overall, organising the World Championships represents an operation almost six times larger than a World Cup weekend.

Beyond the figures, hosting such an event is an exceptional opportunity - one that comes only once in a generation - for Crans-Montana, as well as for the athletes, volunteers, partners and thousands of passionate fans expected over the two weeks.

11 days of racing, 1 great celebration of skiing

Throughout the World Championships, the celebration of skiing will take place on the slopes, but also across the entire resort.

At the heart of Crans-Montana, Ycoor will be the epicentre of this great public celebration, with a completely free programme. Giant-screen broadcasts of the competitions, the opening ceremony, eleven medal ceremonies, four bib draws and a music programme featuring some of Switzerland’s best artists will bring Ycoor to life throughout the two weeks.

Around this central place, fan zones, après-ski areas, concerts, DJs, sponsor and official merchandise stands, as well as numerous free activities, will keep the resort buzzing from morning until evening, offering a welcoming, family-friendly experience open to everyone.

The village of Crans will also come alive, with several concerts and shows at the Music Hall at Le Régent.

A legacy that goes beyond the World Championships

Looking beyond February 2027, the Crans-Montana 2027 steering committee is already preparing for the future.

One of the main objectives is to secure the continuation of the Alpine Ski World Cup from 2028 onwards. The investments made in the slopes, infrastructure, equipment, human resources and organisation represent a valuable legacy for the region. With this in mind, CMA, the Association des Communes de Crans-Montana and Swiss-Ski are already continuing their joint efforts to build the future beyond the World Championships.

This vision is part of a long-term strategy aimed at maintaining major international events in Valais and strengthening Switzerland’s ambitions to host the 2038 Winter Olympic Games.

Beyond the infrastructure, there is also a human legacy. It is created through those moments when time seems to stand still, through emotions shared in the authenticity of sport and the mountains. Moments that bring people together, leave a lasting impression and create memories Beyond Time.

Experience history beyond time in Crans-Montana

Historical timeline