Hans Knauss Hafjell GS winner 2003: GEPA pictures
HAFJELL, Norway — World Cup ski racing returns to Hafjell this weekend with a men’s giant slalom and slalom. But what does this mean for the resort, the country, and even the sport itself?
A Rare World Cup Stop in Hafjell
Located two hours from Oslo and 45 minutes from Kvitfjell, Hafjell will host just its 10th and 11th men’s World Cup races. The venue last welcomed the circuit 22 years ago, when Italy’s Giorgio Rocca won the slalom on March 10, 2003.
This weekend could deliver plenty of memorable moments, including Marco Odermatt securing another giant slalom globe and Henrik Kristoffersen potentially locking up the slalom title on home snow.
A Historic Venue
Hafjell sits in Oppland County, just 45 minutes from Kvitfjell, a regular stop on the World Cup circuit since the 1994 Winter Olympics. The last time the Olympics came to Hafjell, Germany’s Markus Wasmeier won the giant slalom gold, while Austria’s Thomas Stangassinger claimed slalom gold.
The World Cup has visited Hafjell four times before—twice before and twice after the Olympics—hosting the 1996 and 2003 World Cup Finals. The resort also staged the 2016 Youth Olympics, where River Radamus dominated with three gold medals in super-G, giant slalom, and combined. Now 26, the Steamboat Springs skier leads the Stifel U.S. Ski Team into this weekend’s races.
What’s at Stake?
The world’s best male technical skiers will battle on the Kringelåsen course for season-long globes and, for those further down the standings, a spot in the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho. Only the top 25 qualify.
This weekend is a major moment for Hafjell and Norwegian ski racing. A strong showing from the home team—potentially even a clean sweep—could put the resort back on the map as a regular March stop. With FIS struggling to find consistently high-quality conditions this late in the season, Hafjell has a chance to stake its claim.
Can Norway Finally Win on Home Snow?
Despite Norway’s deep ski racing tradition, no Norwegian has ever won a World Cup race in Hafjell. The last men’s World Cup victory on home snow came in 2018, when Kjetil Jansrud won a super-G in Kvitfjell. Kjetil André Aamodt’s 1993 giant slalom triumph in Oppdal brought the last home tech event win.
If Kristoffersen, Atle Lie McGrath, Timon Haugan, or Alexander Steen Olsen win this weekend, they would be just the second Norwegian to claim a home victory in a technical race. A slalom victory would be a first.
A Pivotal Weekend for Hafjell
With strong fan support and a Norwegian team poised for success, this weekend presents Hafjell with a golden opportunity. A successful event could boost its chances of becoming a regular World Cup venue in March, a time when the circuit struggles to secure race locations.
Ski racing’s return to Hafjell isn’t just a homecoming—it’s a chance to make history.
About the Author: Matt Garcka
