{"id":341992,"date":"2026-11-14T10:54:24","date_gmt":"2026-11-14T09:54:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/geneveinfos.ch\/2026\/11\/14\/coupe-du-monde-escalade-glace-saas-fee-2027\/"},"modified":"2026-11-14T10:54:24","modified_gmt":"2026-11-14T09:54:24","slug":"coupe-du-monde-escalade-glace-saas-fee-2027","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/geneveinfos.ch\/en\/2026\/11\/14\/coupe-du-monde-escalade-glace-saas-fee-2027\/","title":{"rendered":"Ice Climbing World Cup in Saas-Fee, 21\u201324 Jan."},"content":{"rendered":"

The 27th UIAA Ice Climbing Worldcup takes place in Saas-Fee from 21 to 24 Jan. 2027. Athletes compete in speed and lead in the Ice Dome, set up in the resort\u2019s covered car park.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Saas-Fee has hosted UIAA-sanctioned ice climbing competitions since 2000. In 2025, the resort marked 25 years of competitions. The 2027 edition is the 27th.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The competition venue grew out of an observation. In the ten-storey car park, built to keep the resort car-free, water trickled down the walls and froze. The organisers first used it for climbing lessons. They then set up a World Cup course there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2002, Saas-Fee hosted its third World Cup, organised by Michael Schwarzl. Preparation then took up to three months. Wooden panels and steel sections formed the overhangs, and four to six weeks of frost created the ice. The budget was 80,000 francs for about 500 spectators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because the venue is covered, weather does not disrupt the competition. In 2022, the Federal Office of Sport recognised the Saas-Fee KletternDome as a national performance centre for ice climbing. Dario Andenmatten played a key role in organising UIAA competitions in Saas-Fee. He died in October 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2025 edition brought together more than 125 athletes, including 14 Swiss. South Korea\u2019s Woonseon Shin won in Saas-Fee in 2024. Switzerland\u2019s Sina Goetz took silver and then gold at her last two World Cups there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who organises it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Association Ice Climbing, based in Saas-Fee, organises the competition. It has about 140 members. Part of its proceeds supports cultural projects of the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC). The competition is part of the UIAA World Cup circuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to find<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

More than 100 athletes from about 20 countries are expected, along with some 2,500 spectators. The events take place in the Ice Dome, which is 32 metres high. Two disciplines are on the programme, speed and lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Thursday 21 Jan., speed qualifications begin at 7.15 pm for women and 9.30 pm for men. On Friday 22 Jan., lead qualifications run from 8 am to 6 pm, followed by the speed finals from 8 pm. An Ice Party follows from 9.30 pm at The Club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday 23 Jan., the lead semi-finals run from 11 am to 2 pm. The lead final starts at 7 pm, followed by the prize-giving. The speed and lead finals are streamed live on YouTube. The programme for Sunday 24 Jan. is still to be announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practical information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n