Jul 02, 2025 – Every year, generally towards the back end of the season between June and September, FIS organizes an annual visit to relevant race sites used across events.
Working alongside Local Organizing Committees, as well as the Coaching Advisory Group (CAG), and the Athletes Focus Group (AFG), improvements for venues are suggested and acted upon where necessary.
Not only does this show an unwavering commitment to athlete safety, but it equally allows FIS to make these venues as accessible as possible to assist the growth of Para Snow Sports.
“We are trying to upgrade FIS Para Snow Sports across all three disciplines: Cross-Country, Snowboard, and Alpine Skiing,” said Bostjan Anderlic, FIS Para Alpine Race Director Assistant and Para Snow Sports Coordinator.
“Para Snow Sports are a part of the FIS family, and they are growing and improving World Cup and World Championship events.”
In Para Alpine, during the winter season, Anja Skutelj, FIS Para Alpine Race Director, and Bostjan meet with the AFG and CAG once a month to discuss things that are working well and things that could benefit from improvements.
Site visits then occur once annually, though this can sometimes double with new sites that are working through teething issues.
“We visit sites directly, walking the racing hills and checking the possibilities of best vertical drops for disciplines,” Bostjan added.
We look to improve safety on critical parts and check accessibility practices for Para athletes in different areas. This includes on the race hill—lift options, finish and start areas—in hotels… everything from parking to the race slopes.
Bostjan Anderlic, FIS Para Alpine Race Director Assistant and Para Snow Sports Coordinator
In the latest instalment of FIS site visits, race directors assessed four different venues across Austria, France, and Switzerland.
The following is a brief summary of the outcome from their time on site between 13-22 June, including a handful of proposals on how to improve each and what is working well…
Venue: Steinach
Location: Austria
Races/events: Super G
-
World Cup course configuration improvement, starting from the top
-
Lower hotel prices
Venue: Tignes
Location: France
Races/events: Downhill, Super G races & 2027 World Championships
-
Full Downhill and Super G course renovation
-
Improved safety (A nets, B nets)
Venue: Méribel
Location: France
Races/events: Giant Slalom, Slalom finals & 2030 Paralympic Games
-
Giant Slalom vertical drop, 370 meters
-
Slalom vertical drop, 195 meters
-
Prize money
-
Accessible toilets
Venue: Veysonnaz
Location: Switzerland
Races/events: Giant Slalom, Slalom finals
-
Giant Slalom course configuration improved – finish race at the middle station gondola
-
Start ramps bigger, harder, and slope at a minimum of 45°
With the help of Bostjan in his new role as Para Snow Sports Coordinator, being the ‘bridge between local organizers and race directors’, FIS looks forward to taking our working relationship with all respective parties to the next level to help maximize the potential of Para Snow Sports.
