Courchevel-Meribel To Host FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2023

Following a vote at the 51st FIS Congress in Costa Navarino (GRE), the 2023 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships were awarded to the organizers from Courchevel-Méribel (FRA). In a highly anticipated presentation on Thursday evening, the joint bid from the French resorts slighted edged out Saalbach (AUT) by a Council vote of nine to six.

Both organizers put forth first-time bids, and it is first time since 2009 that France will host the FIS Alpine World Championships, last held in Val d’Isere. Courchevel and Méribel are Olympic sites that regularly host men’s and ladies’ Audi FIS World Cup races.

“The bid of Courchevel-Méribel was very appealing with two top-level resorts offering essentially men’s and ladies’ venues, which is sure to facilitate scheduling and logistics. The French Organizers are sure to put on an excellent show for the athletes, media and fans,” said FIS President Gian Franco Kasper of the French success.

Michel Vion, FIS Council member and president of the French Ski Association, was very pleased with the result and is looking forward to host the best of alpine skiing in France.

Also the French athletes reacted very positively to this announcement, especially Alexis Pinturault, currently the best French alpine ski racer, who grew up in Courchevel.

The battle between the two venues was on a very high level, and even if tonight they are disappointed, the Austrians are already looking ahead to 2025. "Lots of work and passion went into that bid, but with Courchevel-Meribel we had a very strong contender. We are now supporting our friends from France and cross fingers for great events in Courchevel-Méribel in 2023. On our side, we are not giving up: we will be candidate for the 2025 FIS World Ski Championships and hope to bring the event to Saalbach," said Bartl Gensbichler, president of the Salzburger Ski Assosiation