Just 200 days to go until the World Cup
Summer in the Montafon, winter on our minds: just 200 days to go until the World Championships
Whilst we’ve just sweated our way through the third heatwave of the year and snow is probably the last thing on most people’s minds at the moment, my thoughts are already firmly on the coming winter.
Because in 2027, the Montafon will become the stage for the biggest winter sports event Vorarlberg has ever seen: and today, there are just 200 days to go until the 2027 FIS Snowboard, Freestyle & Freeski World Championships open in the Montafon on 6 March 2027.
And suddenly, it doesn’t seem so far away anymore.
But why am I even interested in this?
The 2027 World Championships are spread across a total of six venues, five of which are located in the Montafon. The world’s best snowboarders, freestyle skiers and freeskiers will compete for the world titles across 17 disciplines.
One of these disciplines is slopestyle. The slopestyle events will take place at the Sonnen Bahn in Silvretta Montafon – and this is exactly where I come in.
As Venue Manager, I’m responsible for ensuring everything runs smoothly at the slopestyle venue.
And then there’s something else I’m personally really looking forward to: being able to experience these World Championships right on our doorstep.
Not just for me, but above all for my children and all the children and young people in the valley. To see the world’s best snowboarders, freestyle skiers and freeskiers not just on screen for once, but live on the mountain as they compete for medals – with huge kickers, rails, impressive tricks, excitement and, hopefully, a really great atmosphere – that’s something truly special.
And it’s far from over once the sporting action is done: For two weeks, the athletes will be celebrated at the Medal Plaza in Schruns – right in the heart of the village and, for us, literally on our doorstep. In total, almost 90 medals will be awarded during the World Championships.
I believe it’s exactly these kinds of experiences that stick with you. Perhaps a child will be standing on the mountain, spot their new favourite athlete, and think to themselves afterwards: ‘I’d like to give that a go one day.’
The 2027 World Championships will be spread across a total of six venues, five of which are located in the Montafon. The world’s best snowboarders, freestyle skiers and freeskiers will compete for the world titles across 17 disciplines.
These World Championships also represent a huge opportunity for the Montafon. For two weeks, we will have the chance to showcase our region, our mountains and our passion for winter sports to an international audience. But I think it’s just as important to consider what the World Championships will spark here in our valley and what lasting impact they might have: shared experiences that bring us together, a passion for the sport – and, hopefully, lots of children and young people who’ll be inspired by it and want to get on a board or put on some skis themselves afterwards.
A World Championship not just somewhere on the telly, but right on our doorstep. That’s something I’m particularly looking forward to.
And what exactly is slopestyle?
For those who aren’t quite sure what slopestyle is all about: the athletes tackle a varied course featuring large kickers, rails and various obstacles, on which they perform spectacular tricks and jumps. It’s not just about jumping as high or as far as possible. The key is to impress the judges with difficult, creative and cleanly executed tricks throughout the entire run. And it’s precisely this blend of technique, creativity and spectacular jumps that makes slopestyle so special – and incredibly exciting for the audience to watch.
Until then, however, there is still quite a bit to do behind the scenes.
After all, a World Championship is like a giant jigsaw puzzle: sport, mountain railways, tourism, piste preparation, safety, TV production, technology, medical services, catering, media, volunteers, transport and many other areas all have to work together perfectly in the end.
Our World Championships Director, Chisi Speckle, has the overall view of all these pieces of the jigsaw. At the moment, I’m supporting him with the preparations wherever information needs to be gathered, issues need to be coordinated or matters relating to slopestyle need to be clarified. And in doing so, I’m constantly struck by just how many questions – big and small – lie behind an event of this kind.
The closer the World Championships get, the more I’ll be involved with ‘my’ venue. And even then, of course, I won’t be on my own: together with Christoph Arndt, the Chief of Competition for Slopestyle, the managers at Silvretta Montafon, other experts and, of course, lots of volunteers, we’ll ensure that the Slopestyle venue turns out to be a fantastic venue that can provide the perfect stage for top sporting performances.
My role as Venue Manager is to coordinate all the organisational aspects at the venue and, together with the relevant managers, to create the conditions necessary to ensure that everyone is in the right place at the right time and knows what to do.
Or as I like to say: if I’m needed as little as possible during the event, it means we’ve done a lot of things right beforehand.
200 days – and the anticipation is building
When I was at the World Championships in St. Moritz in March 2025, I got a very real sense for the first time of what lies ahead for us in 2027.
That mix of top sporting performances, international athletes and teams, fans, volunteers and an incredible atmosphere on the mountain is hard to describe unless you’ve experienced it for yourself.
Back then, I found myself thinking several times: ‘In two years’ time, it’ll be our turn.’
Now there are just 200 days to go.
Until then, we’ll have plenty more meetings, change plans, draw up lists, make phone calls, have discussions and find solutions to issues that we may not even realise today will one day pose a challenge.
But that’s exactly what I’m looking forward to.
I’ll have the chance to take on responsibility at a World Championship in my home country, combining my passions: sport, the mountains and organisation.
So whilst it’s still the height of summer outside, and probably very few people looking towards Valisera are thinking of kickers, rails and World Championship medals, things are a bit different for me.
My thoughts are already in winter.
Just 200 days to go.
Then it all begins.
