Top ski events in Europe

Find out about the best European ski events 

The top ski events across Europe are based in some of the highest-quality resorts, meaning you can enjoy a ski holiday whilst catching a glimpse at some of the pros compete. 

• The Hahnenkamm race in Kitzbühel, Austria
• The Kandahar event in Chamonix, France
• Alpine World cup event, hosted across multiple resorts in Europe

The Hahnenkamm race - Kitzbühel, Austria 

The Hahnenkamm race in Austria since 1931 and known as one of the worlds most prestigious ski races, if you are a ski-enthusiasts then this is a must see for you.

Kitzbühel offers skiing for all levels: beginners can start on nursery slopes at the base of the Hahnenkamm with the fun and supportive Red Devils ski school. Intermediates enjoy a wide choice of blue and red runs across the Kitzbüheler Horn, Pass Thurn, and interlinked resorts such as Kirchberg and Jochberg, with access to over 800km of additional slopes via the Super Ski Card.  

Advanced skiers can tackle the legendary Streif and explore excellent off-piste terrain, especially at Pass Thurn and Resterhöhe and not forgetting snowboarders who benefit from two snowparks, including the XL Qpark at Pass Thurn, with rails, kickers, and boxes for all abilities.

The race itself is nearly always held in mid-January when snowfall is often at its best in the resort. Kitzbuhel is a popular Austrian resort, with vibrant après ski bars and cafes, plenty of restaurants and good shopping. The resort still holds some of its original medival history, mixed in with a great range of accommodation options. Not only is the skiing top quality, but you can take the time to relax in a local spa, enjoy some ice skating or make a night of it in the towns casino. 

The race route is considered one of the toughest in the world of ski. Not for the faint hearted, racers jump up to 80 metres in the mousetrap and reach speeds of over 140 kilometres per hour in the finish compression. Around 80,000 spectators attend throughout the event to see these impressive professionals compete. Fritz Strobl, in 1997 at the age of 20 still holds the fastest record at 1:51.58.

The Kandahar -  Chamonix, France 

The Kandahar race was created in 1928 and considered a top destination for downhill ski-racing, this steep black run contains technical passages and jumps to navigate and reach the bottom, ideally within 2 minutes to be competitive.

This race; which is hosted every 2-4 years, is a big social event in Chamonix, both with locals and ski-tourists, not only for the race but for the resort itself that becomes even livelier during the event – France offers stunning backdrops, great après bars and excellent skiing. With its varied terrain, breathtaking scenery, and mix of gentle, challenging and extreme slopes, Chamonix is a true playground for every mountain enthusiast.  

Scenery here is almost unbeatable, the views will stop you in your ski-tracks. Enjoy this authentic towns culture that can be found in their food, buildings, people and best of all, bars. The resort centre is traffic-free, making it quiet and easy to roam. With plenty of places to stay, its a top choice for your next ski holiday. 

Learners can start on the green and blue sunny runs in Brévent with stunning Mont Blanc views. Intermediates will enjoy the tree-lined pistes and Alpine restaurants in Les Houches. Advanced skiers and snowboarders can tackle long, steep slopes, moguls, the World Cup Kandahar run, or the legendary 23km Vallée Blanche off-piste descent.

The Alpine World Cup event 

The Alpine World Cup is an international circuit of races during the ski season, starting in October and going all the way through until March. First starting in 1966 and hosted across some of Europe's best ski resorts such as Solden, Austria, Levi, Finland, St Moritz, Switzerland, Val d’Isere, France and Cortina, Italy.

Fans flock throughout the competition to not only enjoy a successful ski week on the slopes of champions but to also catch a flying glance of the competitors racing towards the finishing line. A much-loved aspect of these races is the variety on offer – from Downhill, Giant Slalom to Super-G.

The Winter Olympics 

Held every four years the next Winter Olympics is due to take place in 2026 and will be held in February this coming ski season, based from the Italian resort of Cortina, Italy. This multi-sport event includes a vast array of competative winter-sports such as ice hockey, luge, figure skating and curling. Watched by millions acorss the world, and capturing an opening-ceremony ticket is very sought after. 

The popular ski destination of the Dolomites will be full of professionals, competing for their chance to win Olympic medals. The Dolomites and its fantastic ski resorts such as Selva or Ortisei are on most avid-skiers bucket lists when it comes to Italy's pistes.