STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

The World Cup Finals will return to Sun Valley in 2027.

Sun Valley Resort will host the 2027 Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals March 20-25, 2027.

It will bring the world’s best alpine ski athletes to Sun Valley to vie for championships in downhill, super-G, giant slalom and slalom events.

Mikaela Shiffrin celebrated her 101st World Cup win at Sun Valley.

“Welcoming the Stifel Sun Valley Finals back to Sun Valley is both a tremendous honor and a testament to the dedication of our team, the vision of our owners and the support of the community,” said Pete Sonntag, COO of Sun Valley Resort. “The 2025 Stifel Sun Valley Finals proved that North American resorts can deliver a world-class racing experience with unmatched spirit and hospitality, and we’re excited for the opportunity to represent again in 2027.”

Athletes, coaches and FIS officials praised Sun Valley’s performance in 2025 for setting a new standard for World Cup racing in North America

Bringing the Stifel Sun Valley Finals back in 2027 underscores Sun Valley’s place on the global stage, said Sophie Goldschmidt, president and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard.

“From the exceptional racing venue to the passionate local community, Sun Valley delivers an experience that athletes, fans and the international ski world embrace,” she added. “We’re proud to once again showcase the best of U.S. alpine racing at this iconic destination.”

Flags from multiple countries flew as fans cheered on their country’s athletes.

Sun Valley hosted the Stifel Sun Valley Finals—an Audi FIS Alpine World Cup—in 2025, after building a World Cup Challenger downhill course in a few months following the end of the 2024 ski season.

Thousands of fans came out for the seven days of racing, cheering as Lindsay Vonn emerged from retirement to capture an emotional second-place finish in SuperG on American soil, skiing to her first World Cup podium in more than six years. Mikaela Shiffrin skied with determined precision to her 101st career World Cup victory as she won gold in slalom.

And fans became very familiar with the national anthems of Italy and Switzerland, thanks to Frederica Brignone and Marco Odermatt who—oops!—dropped one of his Crystal Globes in the race arena.

Europeans reveled in the opportunity to watch skiers behind horseback, thanks to ski joring racing at Champions Meadow.  They marveled at how Sun Valley was able to pull off an event with volunteers, rather than the Army like so many of them were used to seeing set up courses. And they noted how the packed finish areas, enthusiastic bib draws featuring Spuddy Buddy and free ice skating shows created an atmosphere that rivaled Europe’s most celebrated venues.

Spuddy Buddy had a big role in the World Cup Finals, and the Idaho Potato Commission saved up some mighty tasty free fries and dehydrated potatoes, as well.

The event provided a $16 million impact for Blaine County and Idaho, according to Sun Valley Economic Development’s Harry Griffith, who is already gearing up to help organize the next go-around.

SVED said the event included:

***2,000 race participants, including athletes, coaches, media, sponsors and contractors

***13,000 unique spectators

Lindsay Vonn cuddled up to Spuddy Buddy following her silver medal finish in SuperG.

***780 unique volunteers

***105,600 total man-hours to organize and deliver.

The valley’s approximate 7,000 pillows were nearly full utilized. Transport and logistics worked smoothly. And communities saw record local option taxes, with just under $500,000 in incremental receipts.

The 2026 Audi FIS Ski World Cup will take place March 21-25 in Lillehammer, Norway. The Alpine Ski World Cup was established in 1966 by a group of ski racing enthusiasts, including The United States’ Bob Beattie. It became an official FIS event in 1967.

The 2025-26 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup is the 60th World Cup season in alpine skiing.

Want to know more? Stay tuned for the latest at https://www.sunvalley.com/events/audi-fis-ski-world-cup/.