The International Ski Federation (FIS) Council met on January 9 to approve preliminary World Cup calendars for the 2026/27 season across several disciplines. Members expressed sympathy for a recent tragedy in Crans-Montana and support for upcoming events there. Decisions included updates to injury rules and new sponsorship categories.
The FIS Council convened on Friday, January 9, beginning with expressions of grief for the victims of a tragedy that struck Crans-Montana at the start of the new year. The members also voiced unwavering support for the local organizers of the upcoming FIS World Cup event and the 2027 FIS Alpine World Championships in the region.
The meeting focused on sports-specific decisions, primarily the approval of preliminary FIS World Cup calendars for the 2026/27 season in Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country, Nordic Combined, and Ski Jumping. These drafts, developed by the Media Rights Executive Board and FIS management, were submitted to and approved by the Council in preliminary form.
Notable milestones in the Nordic disciplines calendar include the inclusion of women's Ski Jumping in the prestigious Four Hills Tournament for the first time, marking a significant step in gender equality in snow sports. The women's Ski Jumping tour will return to Zhangjiakou, China—a former Winter Olympic venue—shortly after Ping Zeng became the first Chinese ski jumper to podium in a World Cup event. The 21st FIS Tour de Ski will span three countries in just over a week, starting in Les Rousses, France, moving to Oberstdorf, Germany, and concluding with the Alpe Cermis climb in Val di Fiemme, Italy.
Competition formats for Cross-Country and Nordic Combined remain under discussion, with finalization expected by spring 2026. Official calendars for all FIS disciplines, including Freestyle, Freeski, and Snowboard, will be confirmed by then.
The Council ratified an update to the FIS Alpine World Cup rules on the status of injured competitors, unanimously approved by the Sub-Committee, effective July 1, 2026. Discussions on marketing rights led to approval of a new Presenting Sponsor category for the Alpine Skiing World Cup.
FIS President Johan Eliasch provided updates on the enhanced Alpine Safety Plan, the Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) program, and preparations for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The bidding process for the 2027 and 2028 FIS Freeride World Championships was approved, following the inaugural event in Ordino Arcalís, Andorra, from February 1-6.
