VM2029 Alpine World Ski Championships
Narvik hosts the 2029 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. Here's what you need to know.
Photo: Visit NarvikOn June 4, 2024, at the 55th FIS Congress in Reykjavik, Iceland, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation announced that Narvik would host the 2029 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. The small Arctic town beat out Val Gardena (Italy) and Soldeu (Andorra) in the first round of voting, receiving 11 votes against eight for Val Gardena and one for Soldeu.
This is a historic moment - the Alpine World Championships will take place in Norway for the first time ever in 2029. The event is the world's second-largest winter sports competition after the Winter Olympics, and it will bring Narvik, a town of just 22,000 people above the Arctic Circle, onto the global stage.
Why Narvik?
Narvik offers something unique in the ski world - world-class alpine terrain combined with proximity to the sea. The mountains rise directly from the fjord, creating dramatic backdrops that will look spectacular on television broadcasts reaching millions of viewers worldwide. It's a combination of mountain, sea and city that few places can match.
The championships aim to be the most environmentally friendly and sustainable major sporting event ever hosted, a fitting goal for a destination that relies on its natural environment for tourism.
Infrastructure and preparations
Work is already underway at Narvikfjellet ski resort. The new Linken Express chairlift is a major project. Foundations for all lift masts are complete, and the top stations are being installed. Crews are working through harsh Arctic conditions to have everything ready.
Key dates
2028 - World Cup season finale in Narvik (test event)
February 2029 - FIS Alpine World Ski Championships
The organizing company, Alpin VM Narvik 2029 AS, serves as the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) under agreement with FIS. Knut-Eirik Dybdal was appointed CEO of the organization in June 2025.
About Narvikfjellet
The Narvikfjellet cable car, opened in 2019, takes you 656 meters up in just four minutes. From the top, views extend across the fjord, the city, and on clear days all the way to the Lofoten Islands. Outside Online magazine has named Narvikfjellet one of the 10 best undiscovered ski resorts in Europe.
The resort offers alpine skiing with a unique feature - you can ski under the northern lights during the polar night season. The combination of world-class terrain and Arctic conditions creates an experience that's difficult to find elsewhere.
Getting there and accommodation
Harstad/Narvik Evenes Airport is the closest airport, about 75 km (roughly one hour) from Narvik. Flights connect through Oslo, Bergen and Tromsø. From the airport, a rental car gives you the flexibility to explore the region beyond just the ski resort.
Book accommodation early if you're planning to visit during the championships. A town of 22,000 people will be hosting a world-class event, and capacity will be limited. Options range from hotels in town to traditional rorbuer (fishermen's cabins) along the fjord.
Practical information
Distance from Evenes Airport - ~75 km (1 hour)
Ski season - December to May
Cable car - 656 meters elevation in 4 minutes
Getting around during your visit
While the ski resort is accessible from Narvik center, having a car opens up possibilities for day trips to Lofoten, exploring the Ofoten region, or simply having the flexibility to move between venues during the championships. Winter tires are mandatory, and all our rental cars are equipped for Arctic conditions.
Related guides
Sources
Written and edited by
Almaz Ermilov, Aleksei Poroshin and Vitalijus Zubrickas
Published January 1, 2026