Floodlit Race In Schladming As A Tourist Magnet. Event Analysis Shows Fans Come From All Over The World

The Schladminger Planai will again be the venue for the legendary “Night Race” this week. As in the previous year, spectators can once again expect high excitement in a double pack with the night giant slalom on Tuesday (January 23rd) and the night slalom on Wednesday (January 24th).

The spectacular floodlit races and an attractive supporting program attract guests from near and far to the Styrian Ennstal. A visitor flow analysis from the previous year provides interesting insights: Fans from a total of 36 nations traveled, with more than 60 percent of international guests staying between one and seven nights in the Schladming-Dachstein region.

Major sporting event also a mega success economically

“Events like the Night Race are of course extremely valuable for us, and the additional night giant slalom has increased this impact even further,” confirms Mathias Schattleitner, Managing Director of the Schladming-Dachstein Tourism Association. “The event has developed into a mega success for the entire region, not only sportingly but also economically. In addition to the revenue directly related to the race, such as overnight stays and tickets, there is also a very high indirect profitability.”

In addition to tourism, many other sectors such as trade and commerce also benefit - after all, according to projections, each Night Race guest spends an average of over 250 euros.” Many guests stay in the region for up to seven nights. As expected, visitors stay for a particularly long time on the evenings of the races themselves. According to an analysis by the telecommunications provider “Drei”, in which data from the mobile phone network was anonymously evaluated last year, visitors spent an average of around 6 hours and 50 minutes in the finish stadium and around the legendary “World Cup Mile” with numerous catering stands, DJs and live music. Program in the center of Schladming.

In terms of the guests' countries of origin, Germany is in second place after Austria, followed by Denmark, Poland and Great Britain. Around 32 percent of visitors from abroad were day visitors, while 63 percent of international fans stayed between one and seven nights. Tickets for both races are still available

The organizers recommend traveling by public transport again this year. Special trains run to Schladming both on Tuesday for the giant slalom and on Wednesday for the legendary night slalom , and a special shuttle bus service has been set up from the surrounding towns to the finish stadium at Planai. Schladming is celebrating 50 years of the Ski World Cup this year with its night giant slalom and the slalom “The Nightrace”. Tickets for both races are currently still available.