Strategic partnership with FIS and Swiss-Ski until 2034: Zermatt with a clear commitment to ski racing

After a phase of challenges caused by the Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening and a cancellation of training sessions by the Zermatt Bergbahnen for the elite ski teams in preparation for the current 2024/25 season, the long-established partners have used the break for a reorientation - and have now agreed on a long-term agreement that marks a new milestone for ski racing.

Zermatt and Swiss-Ski have reached a framework agreement on the use of the glacier ski area as a training facility in summer and autumn until 2034. The Zermatt Bergbahnen will prepare the training slopes on the Theodul Glacier and groom them daily. Swiss-Ski will now be fully responsible for operating the training infrastructure; the association will not only use the slopes for its own teams but will also sublet them to other nations. As in summer and autumn 2024, junior athletes of all ages will continue to train on the Theodul Glacier.

Zermatt and Cervinia also reinforce their high ambitions as a venue for World Cup races. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) and Swiss-Ski have given assurances that two men's speed races can be held on the new Gornergrat slope in the second half of March each year from 2028 to 2034 - provided that the slope is homologated by the FIS and Zermatt is also able to fulfil all other requirements for a World Cup race. The Gornergrat slope will be realised for tourist purposes by the end of 2027 anyway - the relevant construction permits have already been granted.

The world brand Zermatt is more committed than ever to ski racing - as a premium destination for glacier training from junior to World Cup elite, but also with unwavering ambitions to become an iconic event location in the World Cup calendar.

The representatives of Swiss-Ski and Zermatt have the following to say about the new partnership.

Walter Reusser, Co-CEO of Swiss-Ski: ‘The new agreement between Swiss-Ski and Zermatt is groundbreaking. Zermatt is the highest glacier ski resort with the best conditions for speed training in Europe. Securing long-term access through a partnership is invaluable for global downhill racing and youth development in speed disciplines. Additionally, World Cup nations can significantly reduce training stays in the Southern Hemisphere, making a substantial contribution to a more sustainable ski racing sport.’

Martin Hug, CEO of the Zermatt Bergbahnen: ‘The future of ski racing has always been of great importance to the Zermatt Bergbahnen. That is why we have invested in the summer and autumn training facilities for national and international ski teams for many years. Together with Swiss-Ski, we will continue to prioritise youth development in this new form of cooperation and continue to help inspire young people to take up ski racing. Ski racing will be the big winner of this long-term partnership.’

Franz Julen, President of the Zermatt Bergbahnen and the Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening: ‘The altitude and guaranteed snow predestine Zermatt/Cervinia for high-quality glacier training in summer and autumn as well as for World Cup speed races. When the new Gornergrat slope is homologated by the FIS, Zermatt and Cervinia, together with the Gran Becca, will have two highly attractive World Cup speed race courses with very different levels of difficulty and views of the Matterhorn. In addition, Zermatt and Cervinia are reviving the two-country idea and examining whether World Cup races in the technical disciplines can be held in Cervinia in conjunction with the Gornergrat races. The new partnership gives all partners involved the time to calmly work out the best training and competition solutions for ski racing and tourism. In view of the climatic changes, we are convinced that we are pursuing the right vision for future-proof ski racing with this joint long-term strategy.’

Diego Züger, Co-CEO of Swiss-Ski: ‘We continue to see great potential in Zermatt as a location for World Cup races that can enrich the calendar enormously. There is still a lot to do, but together we will do everything we can to make Zermatt a fixed stop in the World Cup.’

Daniel Luggen, director of Zermatt Tourism: ‘Zermatt has always focussed on skiing and believes in its future. Partners in the destination have expressed their general support for hosting future World Cup races. As a destination, we will examine - and hopefully utilise - the fantastic opportunity to host World Cup races from the 2027/28 season.’

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Walter Reusser, Co-CEO of Swiss-Ski, will be available for further information on Monday afternoon from 3 pm in the Swiss-Ski Stübli at the World Championships in Saalbach. Registrations are accepted at lukas.kurth@swiss-ski.ch. For our planning, please indicate the type of media (print, radio, TV).

Media enquiries to the representatives of Zermatt:

Jenny Imboden
Communication & Media Managerin 
Zermatt Bergbahnen AG
jenny.imboden@zbag.ch
www.matterhornparadise.ch