Avoriaz Nights and Hahnenkamm History Set to Light Up January 2027

Europe’s ski resorts are preparing for a January packed with action both on and off the slopes, as freestyle riders and Alpine racing enthusiasts look ahead to two of the winter season’s standout events. From floodlit terrain park sessions in the French Alps to one of the most prestigious races in world skiing in Austria, January 2027 promises memorable experiences for winter sports fans.

Black Chapelle Nights Return to Avoriaz

After a successful debut last winter, the popular Black Chapelle Nights are set to return to Avoriaz in January 2027, offering freestyle skiers and snowboarders the rare opportunity to ride the resort’s renowned La Chapelle snowpark after dark.

The evening sessions transform the snowpark into a unique nighttime playground, with floodlights illuminating features across the park while music and entertainment create a festival-like atmosphere. The concept has quickly become one of the resort’s most distinctive winter attractions, providing riders with the chance to continue their sessions long after the ski lifts have stopped running.

Avoriaz has long been recognised as one of Europe’s leading destinations for freestyle skiing and snowboarding, thanks to its extensive terrain parks and its location within the vast Portes du Soleil ski area. The return of Black Chapelle Nights reinforces the resort’s reputation for innovative mountain experiences that appeal to younger and more adventurous visitors.

Kitzbühel Prepares for the 87th Hahnenkamm Races

Meanwhile, attention in the racing world will be firmly fixed on Kitzbühel, where the 87th edition of the legendary Hahnenkamm Races will take place from 18 to 24 January 2027.

Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious events in Alpine skiing, the Hahnenkamm has been held since 1931 and remains a centrepiece of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup calendar. The competition features the famed Streif downhill course, considered one of the most challenging and demanding race tracks in the sport, as well as the technical slalom event on the Ganslernhang.

Victory in Kitzbühel is often described by athletes as being on par with winning an Olympic gold medal, underlining the race’s unique status within Alpine skiing. Thousands of spectators are expected to gather in the Tyrolean resort to watch the sport’s biggest names tackle the Streif’s steep pitches, high speeds and dramatic jumps.

The week begins with downhill training sessions that offer fans an early chance to experience the atmosphere and witness competitors testing themselves against one of skiing’s ultimate challenges.

A Showcase of Skiing’s Many Faces

Together, the return of Avoriaz’s Black Chapelle Nights and the historic Hahnenkamm Races highlight the diversity of modern ski culture. While one event celebrates creativity, progression and freestyle expression under the lights, the other showcases the tradition, speed and intensity of elite Alpine competition. For skiers and snowboarders planning a winter escape, January 2027 offers the chance to experience two very different but equally compelling sides of the mountain world.