Les 2 Alpes Will Launch The Ski And Snowboard Cross World Cup Season!

SATA, the Les 2 Alpes ski lift operator, in collaboration with the Fédération Française de Ski (FFS), created a permanent cross park in Les 2 Alpes in April 2022. It allows international athletes to train in ski and snowboard cross.
In February 2022, Les 2 Alpes applied to host the world cups for four years. The resort, SATA, the Ski Club and the mayor worked with representatives from FIS and FFS to win this project. On 26 May, it was announced that Les 2 Alpes will host the Ski and Snowboard World Cup.

26–29 October: Snowboard Cross World Cup: test, training, qualification and finale.
2–5 November: Ski Cross World Cup: test, training, qualification and finale.

What is ski cross?
“It is a recent discipline in ski racing. It’s a timed race event on a course which includes big-air jumps and high-banked. There are two highlights in the race. The first round in which each skier’s ride downhill is timed. Only the 32 fastest men or the 16 fastest women qualify for the finals. Then, the finals, where four skiers compete in each race, of which the first two qualify for the next race.” Sylvain Miaillier, coach of the French team and former racer

What is snowboard cross?
“It’s a course with modules, whoops and banked turns. The start line is a technical area which aims to separate the athletes just after the start. A qualifying round is carried out with individual times which is used to determine who take part in the final.” Luc Faye, director of the French snowboard team and circuit development

What are the challenges, as a ski lift operator, of hosting a double world cup?
“In general, it is the big resorts that host world cups. This allows Les 2 Alpes to take on the status it deserves and to stand out. Through the maintenance of the glacier and thanks to the technical skills and know-how of all the teams, we have built a specific course on the glacier, which will be maintained all year round and which has allowed the French and international teams to train this summer.” Fabrice Boutet, director of the SATA group

Why did you choose to host a double world cup?
“Les 2 Alpes is the favourite training camp for all teams in all disciplines every summer. International champions come here to train. We want to go further and host world cup events before the winter season. It is also an opportunity for Les 2 Alpes, and for France, to talk about skiing, mountains and snow at a time when all the resorts are in full preparation for the season.” Éric Bouchet, director of the Les 2 Alpes tourist office.