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Guide to the 2016 Chamonix World Cup Ski Races

The Kandahar is back in town!

featured in News & reviews Author Ellie Mahoney, Chamonix Editor Updated

The Kandahar World Cup downhill ski races make a welcome return to Chamonix, after a few years absence on 19th & 20th February 2016.

It's a huge event that sees thousands of fans descend on Les Houches to watch their favourite downhill ski racers battle it out on the infamous Kandahar piste.

If you've been here over the last few weeks you'll have seen the scaffolding for the viewing platforms start to go up at the top of the course. Preparations for getting the piste in top condition & putting the guard netting in place have also begun. Over the course of the week leading up to the races there will lots of activities and entertainment going on in and around Les Houches. Download the programme for all the details (in French only).

What's On When

  • Wednesday 17th February - 12:15 training for the downhill races
  • Thursday 18th February - 12:15 training for the downhill races
  • Friday 19th February - World Cup Alpine Combined Races - 10:30 Downhill / 14:00 Slalom / 18:00 Prize giving
  • Saturday 20th February - World Cup Downhill Races - 09:00 - 10:00 Reconnaisance / 12:15 Downhill race on the Kandahar course / 14:30 Prize giving

Where to Watch

You can watch all the action on the two giant screens at the race finish line, or take a hike up the sidelines of the course and sit behind the netting in the 'Zones public' (see where these are on the map in green). At the finish area there is a large, free public area to watch from or you can opt for one of two VIP, grandstand seating areas.

What Ski Lifts to Use

If you're coming on your skis or snowboard, there are four options - 1) Take the Prarion gondola then the Kandahar chirlift, 2) Take the Bellevue cable car then the Voza-Prarion chairlift, 3) Take the Coupe du Monde chair then the Maisonneuve chair then the Kandahar chair 4) Take the Tramway du Mont blanc then the Voza-Prarion chairlift

How to Get There

Going by bus is the recommended option. You can get to Les Houches by taking Line 01 or line 15 from the centre of Chamonix and get off at either the Bellevue cable car or the Prarion Gondola. From Argentiere, take line 02 and then change on to line 01 or 15.

The train stops downhill from Les Houches, but bus line 16 will take you up to the Bellevue or the Prarion every 10 minutes.

If you're coming from St Gervais, take the Tramway du Mont Blanc and get off at the top of the Bellevue. From there take the Voza-Prarion chairlift up or walk across if you're not on skis.

If you're coming by car you'll have to take into account 1000's of other people that are doing the same thing, and the fact that there will be no car access between St Antoine and the Prarion on race days. Park & Ride buses will be in place so drop your car at the Gravieres petrol station on the main motorway between 08:30 and 16:30 and get the bus to the event from there. The buses will run every 10 minutes.

Top Tips

  • Get there as early as you can on race days to get a good spot
  • Wrap up warm - you'll be outside for hours
  • Bring snacks and drinks with you if you don't fancy queuing for food or if you're half way up the hill watching
  • Buy some grippers for your boots, especially if you're going to head up the side of the piste to watch
  • Make sure your phone / camera are fully charged - not only do you not want to miss any of the action, but hours in the cold will drain your batteries really quickly
  • Take the bus.. take the bus.. take the bus!

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