The World Cup slope at Semmering is standing in for the one in Lienz. © APA / GEORG HOCHMUTH

Semmering instead of Lienz – and just in time for the anniversary!

Preparations are in full swing these days at the Austrian "Magic Mountain" (Semmering). The 30th anniversary of the Ski World Cup at Semmering will be celebrated on December 27th and 28th with two women's races.

23 December 2025

From: apa

Originally, Lienz was due to host the World Cup this year, alternating between two smaller Austrian venues. However, the Hochstein ski resort closed for financial reasons. Semmering stepped in.

They are determined to maintain the two-year cycle in southern Lower Austria. "For us as the organizing club, it's a demanding task. All 400 employees, including the fire department, are happy to participate, but they also want to enjoy Christmas. The mountain lifts are very supportive of the World Cup, but these are, after all, the busiest days of the winter," explained Franz Steiner of WSV Semmering and long-time head of the organizing committee. WATER-Conversation. The spa town will have a break next year. According to the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV), the replacement location for Lienz will be announced "very soon".

As fate would have it, the anniversary races at the Hirschenkogel are taking place exactly 30 years after the premiere. Since 1995, the small town has welcomed the world of skiing to its magical mountain. "We are delighted and proud. But the work never gets any easier," said Steiner. World Cup races will be held for the 16th time at the Eastern Alps pass, which is less than 1,000 meters high and lies on the border between Lower Austria and Styria. The record holder is Mikaela Shiffrin, who has triumphed seven times despite the two-year interval between races. Shiffrin's win rate at Semmering is 64 percent.

"We don't need Alpine giants"

“This is an anniversary we in Lower Austria are proud of,” declared Lower Austria’s Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner. The images will be seen around the world: “They inspire people to take a holiday here in Lower Austria.” The media impact is estimated at around 2,5 million euros, but it’s about more than just economic figures. The World Cup creates a sense of community and strengthens pride in one’s homeland, said Mikl-Leitner. She thanked everyone involved. “We don’t need giants of the Alps to deliver world-class performances, but rather people who work together.”

Mikaela Shiffrin has won more times at Semmering than anyone else. © APA / GEORG HOCHMUTH

The successful collaboration between politics, mountain railways, the ski club, and the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV) is emphasized. The fact that the slalom winner will be crowned in the floodlit race on Sunday (2:15 p.m./5:45 p.m.) for the first time since 2022 was a stated wish of the organizers. They are hoping for strong public interest and corresponding TV ratings. "The night race is simply the highlight; we can see that in ticket sales," said Steiner. Last year, without the night race, 13.000 spectators attended.

New course layout in the giant slalom

There's still a lot to do on the slope before the races, Steiner explained. "The weather forecast is good because the nights are always cold. We don't need to worry about the Föhn wind or the slope melting away. We're in good shape, we have people here, we have equipment here." Because the snow quality in the upper section has suffered due to warm days, the loop in the upper section will be omitted from the course setting. "Instead, we'll be skiing more or less straight down from the same start. It will be a spectacular, fast giant slalom, almost even more interesting than before – there are no more flat sections," Steiner said.