2019 Ski World Championships in Åre: Crans-Montana/Valais a prominent presence

In the centre of Sweden, in Åre, preparations for the next Alpine Ski World Championships are in full swing. They’ll be celebrating an astonishing new feature: in the centre of this friendly ski resort, Swiss Ski’s traditional « House of Switzerland » will once again be built, but for the first time, it will be a large mobile wooden chalet designed and constructed in Switzerland, and transported to Sweden in three large trucks, for all the ski world to meet in. This is also the place where Swiss medal winners will be celebrated. An additional very positive point for the House of Switzerland: the HofS will only be three minutes on foot from the location for the prizegiving ceremonies.

The 2025 Crans-Montana/Valais FIS World Championships bid will be the main partner in this challenge. During the site inspection, Hugo Steinegger, executive vice-director of the bid committee, took the opportunity to send wishes for good luck and great success to Niklas Carlsson, CEO for the World Championships and chairman of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup committee, on behalf of the Crans-Montana/Valais bid committee.

Christof Stalder, whose business Woopdesign (Bern/Berthoud) made the 20-tonne wooden chalet, discussed the last technical details with Stefan Dohrn, head of construction in Åre, and proudly presented a model of the interior layout of the restaurant, to which will be added a large bar and a stage, and where Valais specialities (wine, raclette and air-dried meat) in particular will be highlighted throughout the whole period of the 2019 World Championships (4-17 February). Here will also be the place where Swiss Medallist will be celebrated.