Following in the Footsteps of the Pros: Famous and Infamous World Cup pistes

Every year in autumn, the elite of alpine skiing kicks off the World Cup season. The slopes that the pros race down are considered a true “test of courage” for any ambitious amateur winter sports enthusiast. SnowTrex has compiled the most legendary World Cup runs that are also open to non-professionals. Who dares to conquer one of these slopes?

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The world’s most challenging slopes were the “home turf” of record overall World Cup winner Marcel Hirscher during his active career.

An Overview of Famous World Cup Pistes

Lauberhorn in Wengen, Switzerland – Downhill with the Highest Average Speed

The Lauberhorn course in the World Cup venue of Wengen is the longest World Cup downhill in the world, measuring nearly 4.5 km. It is also known for the highest average speeds reached during a World Cup race. However, with a maximum gradient of 42 percent, it’s not as steep as some other courses. A signature feature of this piste, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Eiger North Face, is the legendary Hundschopf jump, where racers plunge 15 meters between two rock walls. Other notorious sections include the Minschkante, the Canadian Corner, and the Ziel-S, which demands everything from the racers right at the end of the course.

Saslong in Val Gardena, Italy – Daring Jumps

The World Cup course beneath the Langkofel massif is infamous for its “Camel Humps” – one of the most iconic sections of the entire World Cup circuit. Roughly midway through the course, this combination of three bumps was originally dubbed the “Kangaroo Jump.” The second and third humps are particularly difficult to navigate. After the Camel Humps, the ruts of the Ciaslat meadow put racers’ thigh muscles to the test. Even after crossing the finish line, focus is still required: the run-out area is especially narrow. In earlier years, underdogs with high start numbers had an advantage on the Saslong – in the afternoon, the sun would come out from behind the Langkofel and make the track faster. However, adjusted start times have now solved that issue.

Streif in Kitzbühel, Austria – Up to 85% Gradient

Arguably one of the world’s most famous courses – not least because of the celebrity turnout each year for the Hahnenkamm races in Kitzbühel – the Streif is also one of the most feared and challenging downhills in the world. With gradients of up to 85%, jumps up to 80 meters, and speeds reaching up to 140 km/h, the Hahnenkamm downhill is considered one of the toughest on the planet. The 3,312 m-long Streif features all the elements of a classic downhill: sharp terrain edges, steep slopes, sidehill sections, gliding zones, tight curves, spectacular undulations, and even short uphill segments. Key sections include the “Mausefalle” (with an 85% gradient), the Steilhang, and the “Hausbergkante.” Recreational skiers can bypass these extreme zones – they’re marked as “extreme ski routes” in normal ski operations. The red “Streif family run” leads around them, offering everyone a chance to experience a taste of World Cup atmosphere.

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In the final slope of the legendary Hahnenkamm race in Kitzbühel, athletes reach the highest speeds.

Planai in Schladming, Austria – The “Nightrace”

As a long-standing World Cup venue, Schladming’s home mountain, the Planai, has earned a legendary reputation. Its annual highlight is the “Nightrace” – a nighttime slalom that attracts the largest crowd of the entire World Cup circuit. Up to 60,000 spectators turn the finish area into a sea of color and light. After hosting its last World Cup race in 1990, Schladming made its comeback on the race calendar in 1997. Since 2001, the Nightrace has taken place every year on the Tuesday following the Hahnenkamm races. Sections of the course, such as the “Holzacker” and the “Italienerloch,” live up to their evocative names.

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The famous finish of the Planai race.

Kandahar in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany – The Steepest World Cup Course

The legendary Kandahar slope has been part of the Ski World Cup since 2009 and holds the title of the steepest course on the circuit. With a jaw-dropping gradient of up to 92 percent, racers face their toughest challenge just before the finish – no wonder this section is called the “free fall.” But the rest of the course is no walk in the park either: the Tröglhang features a 63 percent gradient, allowing skiers to accelerate up to 140 km/h shortly after the start. The run continues through the Olympiakurve, the Panoramasprung – where jumps of up to 60 meters are routine – and the icy Eishang. Not for the faint of heart – or thighs!

Chuenisbärgli in Adelboden, Switzerland – The Toughest Giant Slalom in the World?

The giant slalom course on the Chuenisbärgli above Adelboden is considered one of the toughest in the world – and a true classic. Alongside Kitzbühel and Wengen, Adelboden is one of only three venues to have featured on the World Cup calendar every year since its inception in 1967. Each year, around 40,000 fans flock to the town of just 3,500 residents. Both the start and finish slopes are particularly steep, and the course has a noticeable side slope throughout. Adelboden’s local mountain offers several course variations – for World Cup races, as well as European Cup and other FIS events.

Olympic Downhill in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – Spectacular Races in the Dolomites

Despite the high speeds reached on the Olympic downhill in Cortina d’Ampezzo, one should never overlook the view. The course runs through the UNESCO World Heritage region of the Dolomites and, thanks to its sunny location, offers breathtaking scenery. As a result, it is considered one of the most beautiful and popular courses on the World Cup circuit. Racers start at around 2,300 meters above sea level, directly beneath the Tofane peaks. There’s no easing into this one – shortly after the start, skiers hit the Tonale Schuss, where speeds can reach up to 130 km/h.

Pista Stelvio in Bormio, Italy – Technical and Demanding

Steep, fast, and full of curves – that’s the Pista Stelvio in Bormio, Italy. Typically held just before the turn of the year, the men’s World Cup race here is one of the most demanding on the circuit. Loved and feared in equal measure, “La Stelvio,” as the Italians call it, is absolutely unforgiving. The start is already breathtaking: with a 63% gradient, it is the steepest start in the competition. Two rapid turns at the top lead straight into the Rocca jump. The most critical section of the course is the Carcentina traverse, while the fastest is the San Pietro Schuss, introduced by the San Pietro jump.

Gran Risa in Alta Badia, Italy – Icy Descent Through the Pine Forest

Despite what the name might suggest – “Gran Risa” sounds like “big laugh” in Italian – there’s little to laugh about for ski racers on this challenging course in Alta Badia. With gradients of up to 53%, the piste winds its entire length through a narrow corridor in a pine forest. Due to its shaded location, the surface is often rock-hard and icy, making it one of the trickiest technical courses on the circuit. Alta Badia has hosted a World Cup race every year since 1990.

Oreiller-Killy in Val d’Isère, France – A True Classic

Named after French ski legends Henri Oreiller and Jean-Claude Killy, the O.K. slope may not be the most technically demanding course, but it stands among the classics of the World Cup circuit – alongside the Saslong, Lauberhorn, Streif, and Kandahar. Originally designed for the 1992 Olympic Games, the course is now reserved for the women’s World Cup races. The men compete on the nearby “Face de Bellevarde.” Since the 1968/69 season, the annual race in Val d’Isère – known as the “Critérium de la Première Neige” – has been a fixture on the World Cup calendar.

Earning Respect? No Worries. What makes World Cup slopes so tricky is often less about the raw terrain and more about the course setting and preparation. In their regular condition, these runs are accessible to recreational skiers as well. So, hobby athletes can embark on their very own World Cup tour — carving their way down these legendary slopes at their own pace, free from the pressure of professional race formats.