Region to Host Alpine World Cup Events Again
Despite cancellations of similar events due to a lack of snowfall last year, the best female skiers in the world will again stop at Val d’Isere and Courchevel in the 2015-2016 Alpine World Cup season. Both sites are tipped for pre-Christmas events.
The FIS Alpine circuit will host the women’s tour before the Christmas break on the 18th, 19th and 20th December. Val d’Isere will host the first of four alpine combined races on the schedule.
In a thrilling season, last year’s World Cup season came down to the last race of the year held at Meribel. The championship was won by Austria’s Anna Fenninger, edging out Slovenia’s Tina Maze to win the title. American Lindsey Vonn finished third in the points.
With the release of next year’s schedule, the area will be hoping and praying for better snow conditions this year. Major ski events, the local economy and cultural events alike depend on the snowfall to be vibrant and bountiful, but in places like Val d’Isere, it has been like a roller coaster ride in recent years. In December 2012, they received a record 104 cm of snow, but in the last two years, they have only averaged 52cm of fresh snow.
Val d’Isere, Courchevel, along with La Plagne, La Rosiere and Meribel, have a long tradition of bringing in the best professional skiers in the world. Val d’Isere especially has been host to some of the biggest races in skiing history. It was the location for the men’s Downhill, Super-G and Giant Slalom races in the 1992 Albertville Olympic Games. The 2009 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships were held on the mountain.
Even though the region is targeted by the professions, the resorts are equally experienced in welcoming novice skiers as well. These areas are by far the most popular destinations for ski holidays in France. Every year, more than 200,000 Brits travel into the region to enjoy the snow, skiing and winter sports.
Image Credit: martin_vmorris (flickr.com)