The Kandahar, the must-see alpine ski race
06 June 2020
The Kandahar, the not-to-be-missed alpine ski race
MEN’S ALPINE SKI WORLD CUP
The Kandahar will not be held in Chamonix in 2022, as it is traditionally held on “La Verte” in the Les Houches ski area in the Mont Blanc Valley. Good news! The next Kandahar races are scheduled for February 3 and 4, 2023. You can now fill your diaries and book your stay in the Valley of Europe’s highest peak.
From Austria to the Mont Blanc Valley, the origins of the legendary alpine ski race
The Kandahar, formerly called Arlberg-Kandahar and known by the acronym A-K, is the origin of the recognition of alpine skiing by the Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS). The name Arlberg comes from the name of a pass in Austria, in the Sankt Anton region. As for the name Kandahar, it takes its origins from the British general Sir Robert of Kandahar, who occupied the city of Qandahar in Afghanistan, the former imperial capital. This illustrious figure was also vice-president of the Public School Alpine Sports Club.
The first A-K was held in Sankt Anton in March 1928. Until 1939, the race was held either in the Austrian resort of Sankt Anton or in the Swiss resort of Mûrren. From 1948 onwards, the A-K was held in new resorts: starting with Chamonix in France, then Sestriere in Italy, Garmisch in Germany and Mont-Tremblant in Quebec.
The A-K became the most widely recognized alpine competition in the world: the name Kandahar spread throughout the industry (names of hotels, restaurants, equipment, etc.).
Key figures for Kandahar in Chamonix
2 DAYS OF RACING
1 LEGENDARY TRACK “LA VERTE DES HOUCHES
204 MILLION TELEVISION VIEWERS
35,000 SPECTATORS
3,000 VIPS
600 VOLUNTEERS
