With one week left until the FIS Alpine World Cup Slalom opener at Levi, Finland, the International Ski Federation (FIS) has given the green light for the Levi Black run after a positive ‘snow control’ on Thursday, November 7. Snow control for FIS races is an inspection of the conditions on a World Cup race course before a race to ensure the course is prepared according to FIS standards and is safe for international World Cup athletes to compete. The Levi Black run at the Finnish venue has achieved the required 60 cm (24 inches) of snow, with 70% coming from recycled reserves, despite an unusually warm fall. The 20th-anniversary races at Levi are set for November 16-17, with the women’s Slalom competition on Saturday and the men’s Slalom on Sunday.
Athletes from various European and global teams have been training in Levi since October, making the most of the excellent training conditions. The resort also offers a moguls course, which has attracted international moguls teams, while the course in Ruka is still being built ahead of the World Cup event in early December.
Mikaela Shiffrin will defend her title from last year and make a bid for her eighth reindeer. Santa Claus presents the victor of the Slalom race with a reindeer. Levi is close to the Arctic Circle and the Santa Claus village of Rovaniemi. Shiffrin has won the most races — and reindeer — at the Finnish resort. Slovakia’s Petra Vlhova is not far behind with six victories (and reindeer).
A victory in Levi would mark Mikaela Shiffrin’s 98th World Cup victory and 61st Slalom victory. She would set a new record for the most World Cup victories and most victories in one Alpine discipline, beating her own record set last season in March 2024.
American viewers can watch the Slalom at Levi live and on-demand on skiandsnowboard.live.
For more information on how to watch each FIS event this season, visit U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s TV listings.
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