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World Cup Momentum Builds in Courchevel (FRA) for the Season’s Second Showdown

The ISMF World Cup circuit remains firmly in motion as the second World Cup of the 2025/26 season heads to the heart of the French Alps. This week, Courchevel on 15 and 16 January welcomes the world’s best ski mountaineers for a decisive double appointment featuring the Vertical Race and the Sprint, two disciplines that reward intensity, precision and tactical execution.
After an opening round that set the early benchmarks of the season, Courchevel represents the first European stop on the calendar and a crucial opportunity for athletes to confirm form, respond to early results and position themselves in the World Cup rankings as the winter progresses.
Courchevel World Cup attracts a deep and diverse field, underlining the sport’s global reach and competitive depth.

Vertical Race: 152 athletes on the start list, with 57 women and 95 men representing 25 nations.

Sprint Race: 128 athletes entered, including 52 women and 76 men from 24 nations.

The numbers confirm not only strong overall participation, but also a solid female presence across both disciplines, reflecting the continued growth and balance of the World Cup field.

Race track:

Sprint Course

The Sprint track features an elevation difference of +75 m / -76 m, with two technical sections rated Diamond 2 and Diamond.

The course begins with a flat to medium-steep uphill, designed for speed, including large wooden steps that demand power and rhythm. This is followed by the final uphill section, approximately 100 metres long, with gradients ranging from 16% to 23%, leading into the finish.

After the summit, athletes face downhill zig-zag sections, a small jump, and a technical, bumpy final zone before heading into the finish line.

Vertical Course

The Vertical race covers 520 vertical meters, starting in Courchevel Le Praz and finishing in Courchevel 1850.
A demanding and continuous climb, the course emphasizes pure uphill performance and endurance.

Schedule Event 

The Courchevel programme unfolds across two compact and intense days, with Sprint racing under daylight conditions on Thursday and the Vertical Race staged in the evening on Friday, delivering a distinctive alpine atmosphere.

Thursday, 15 January 2026 – SPRINT RACE

  • 09:30 – Pre-start Team Captains’ Meeting (TCM)
  • 09:53 – Sprint route inspection – Women
  • 10:13 – Sprint route inspection – Men
  • 10:43 – Sprint qualification – Women and Men
  • 11:58 – Sprint heats – Women and Men
  • 13:07 – Sprint semi-finals and finals – Live TV
  • 13:37 – Sprint Women final followed by Flower Ceremony – Live TV
  • 13:52 – Sprint Men final followed by Flower Ceremony – Live TV

Friday, 16 January 2026 – VERTICAL RACE

  • 17:00 – Vertical Race Open start
  • 18:00 – Vertical Race World Cup Women start (individual start – trial time)
  • 18:15 – Vertical Race Open last arrival
  • 18:50 – Vertical Race World Cup Women Flower Ceremony
  • 18:50 – Vertical Race World Cup Men start (individual start – trial time)
  • 19:50 – Vertical Race World Cup Men Flower Ceremony
  • 21:00 – Vertical Race & Sprint Award Ceremony

Weather Conditions 

Tomorrow (Thursday):
Expect a generally pleasant day with periods of sunshine and cool winter temperatures. Highs will be just above freezing, with lows dipping below at night. Conditions should be mostly dry with light winds, making for a comfortable day outdoors and on the slopes.

Friday:
The forecast indicates cool temperatures around freezing with a mix of sun and clouds. There may be very light precipitation at times, but overall the day should remain relatively calm. Winds will be light, and conditions should be suitable for both spectators and competitors alike.

Overall, the weather this week around Courchevel will feature classic Alpine winter conditions — cool with limited moisture and periods of sunshine, ideal for racing and mountain activities.