Lindsey Vonn, at the age of 41, could be the main focus of media attention in Andorra in her spectacular return to competition

El Tarter, 20th January 2026. From the 25th of February to the 1st of March 2026, Grandvalira-El Tarter will host a new date in the calendar with the AUDI FIS Ski World Cup Andorra 2026. This consolidates the Pyrenean ski station’s position as a regular venue on the circuit. The world’s top sixty skiers, from 16 different countries, will compete in three speed competitions: the already-scheduled downhill and Super-G, and the newly-added Super-G that is the rescheduling of the competition that had to be cancelled, having been due to take place on the 11th of January in Zauchensee (Austria). So, on the 25th and 26th of February the official training sessions will be held. On Friday the 27th, the downhill competition (DH) will be contested and then on Saturday the 28th and Sunday the 1st the two Super-Gs (SG).

The event details were presented this lunchtime with the participation of: the Sports, Youth and Culture Minister, Mònica Bonell; the mayor of Canillo, Jordi Alcobé; the director of Creand Crèdit Andorrà's Private Banking Andorra division, Jordi Playà; manager of the Andorran Ski Federation (FAE), Carlos Visa and the CEO of the Organising Committee, David Hidalgo. Mònica Bonell highlighted that the World Cup "is a clear example of Andorra's organisational capacity and of the country's commitment to sporting excellence. The event reinforces our international profile and gives a decisive boost to the visibility of women's sport."

Big names and the possible return of Lindsey Vonn

Among the athletes that will participate ate the AUDI FIS Ski World Cup Andorra 2026, having just competed at the Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina de Ampezo, we will be able to see exceptional racers such as Italy's Sofía Goggia, leader of the Super-G standings, New Zealand's Alice Robinson; Germany's Emma Aicher, or the legendary Lindsey Vonn (USA), one of the most high-profile individuals in the history of alpine skiing. The American, who had retired in 2019, surprised everyone with her return to competition, making history by claiming World Cup wins once again at the age of 41. Vonn, who last competed on the Àliga slope in the World Cup that took place in 2016 – she fell in the Super-G, but the following day won the first run in the alpine combined event – might be seen returning to Andorra ten years later. Although her initial intention was to retire definitively following the Olympics, the excellent results she has been achieving – she leads the downhill standings and is second in the Super-G – have encouraged her to continue the season.

At this point, the World Cup circuit’s overall standings are led by Mikaela Shiffrin (USA), followed by Camille Rast (CH), Emma Aicher (GER), Lindsey Vonn (USA), Sofía Goggia (ITA) and Paula Moltzan (USA).

Andorran involvement

When looking at the Andorran team, the best two racers at this moment in the Principality will be competing: Cande Moreno and Jordina Caminal. “This World Cup holds a very special meaning for us, given that two Andorran athletes will be taking part. Behind this there have been many years of hard work, made possible thanks to our clubs, and to the support we provide from the FAE for our skiers, to position them amongst the world elite”, said Carles Visa.

Àliga’s 10 years as a World Cup course

With a decade of experience in World Cup speed competitions, preparations have already begun on the Àliga slope to host both the downhill and the Super-G courses. The slope has a snow-making system which has 52 snow cannons. Plus, in order to ensure the safety of the racers, it will be equipped with 1,500 metres of type A safety nets and around 9,500 metres of type B nets, and with the ski patrol and medical service teams on hand they are fully prepared. As things stand, snow conditions are extremely favourable to guarantee the success of the event.

The most spectacular points are the Salto del Gall (Rooster’s Leap), located in the middle of the upper section of the course, and the Curvone (the Big Bend), the most emblematic turn on the course, located in the lower section. The finish area is at the foot of the slopes in El Tarter, and anyone wishing to can enjoy the fantastic racing from the stands that have been installed, by purchasing tickets at a price of 10 euros. 25% of the proceeds will go to the Association of Transplant Patients and Donors of Andorra (ATIDA).

As explained by David Hidalgo, the event will mobilise a sports family of more than 400 people, including 170 volunteers —100 on the course and 70 doing other jobs off the course — and an organisational team of 110 professionals. The television broadcast will be handled by the Italian company Infront Sports, which will set up 24 cameras to offer comprehensive coverage of the races. The images will be broadcast live on channels such as Eurosport international and several television channels including those in Austria, Italy and Germany, among others, as well as time-shifted programmes around the world.

In terms of infrastructure, the Race Office, the accreditation centre and the coordination of accommodation and transport will all be located at the Hotel Nòrdic, which will also host the VIP area in the Àliga restaurant on Saturday and Sunday. The Teams Hospitality will be located in the restaurant L'Arrosseria (restaurant specialised in rice dishes, Plan de Riba Escorjada), while the Media Centre will be located in the cable car building in El Tarter.

This will be the sixth World Cup event to be held in the Soldeu El Tarter ski station, following the 2012, 2016, 2019, 2023 and 2024 editions, and the fourth time that the competition will be held on the Àliga slope, the home of speed competitions. This trajectory, added to the fact that Soldeu El Tarter is a member of the select Club5, which groups together the World Cups’ most prestigious resorts, continues to consolidate the ski area as one of the world's leading ski resorts.

For his part, Jordi Playà highlighted: "At Creand, our sponsorship strategy is a national strategy. We invest in ski stations, clubs and our FAE athletes because we believe in local talent and public-private collaboration as the successful formula that has brought us this far. I want to thank the organisation for their perseverance, involvement and tireless work.”

Beyond the competition

In addition to the sporting events, a programme of parallel events has also been designed so that the public can enjoy themselves alongside their idols. Among the activities planned, the prize-giving ceremony (SG) and the public draw for race numbers stand out. They are taking place on Saturday the 28th of February at 18:00h and 18:30h respectively in the Plaça Carlemany (Carlemany Square) in Canillo, and that is where fans will be able to see the athletes up close. As was announced by Jordi Alcobé, "This will be a good time for us to incorporate our traditions into this event, since we will enjoy the participation of the Harlequins of Canillo (stars in charge of animating the event) and the esbart dansaire (traditional folk dance troupe)". Moreover, throughout the week, the public can also enjoy an extensive programme of après-ski events in L'Abarset (iconic après-ski venue), as well as those at the Village located in the gardens of the Hotel Nòrdic, with gastronomic offerings, family activities and entertainment for all ages.

The main sponsors of the AUDI FIS Ski World Cup Andorra 2026 are Andorra Turisme, Creand Crèdit Andorrà, Comú de Canillo, Liqui Moly, Generali, Vredestein, Hotel Nòrdic, Head, La Vaca Bruna and the Federació Andorrana de Esquí (Andorran Ski Federation).