Narvik in Northern Norway Awarded the 2029 Alpine World Ski Championships
A view of Narvik and the Ofotfjord from the Fagernes mountain, on which the alpine facility is located. "Narvik offers something unique to the world, with fjords, mountains, and the Northern Lights. We have spent much time showing the FIS how Northern Norway can promote such an event. In a skiing context, it is entirely unique that 80 municipalities stand together with national authorities behind a World Championships application, says Knut-Eirik Dybdal, Chairman of Narvik 2029. (Photo: The Port of Narvik KF)
Narvik in Northern Norway was recently appointed host of the Alpine World Ski Championships in 2029. "We are now looking forward to the next stage together with the FIS, the municipalities, the business sector, and many others,” says Chairman Knut-Eirik Dybdal.
Narvik is getting considerable attention these days. As a central reception port for allied forces in light of NATO's Nordic enlargement, the endpoint of the topical Ofoten Railway Line, and now also as the appointed organizer of the 2029 Alpine World Ski Championships.
Last week, the majority of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) voted for Narvik and the Narvikfjellet Ski Resort as the venue for the world's second-largest winter sports event.
The vote occurred at a meeting in Reykjavik, Iceland, where the 55th International Ski Congress was organized last Wednesday. Narvik received 11 votes in the first round, Val Gardena, Italy, received eight, and Soledu, Andorra, received one.
The Norwegian ski sector and Northern Norway have promoted the World Championship project through close cooperation for many years, states Knut-Eirik Dybdal, Chairman of Narvik 2029 (Alpin VM 2029 AS).
"We are now looking forward to the next stage together with the FIS, the municipalities, the business sector, and many others. I am humble in the face of the demanding work that awaits us, but we are first and foremost looking forward to creating a wonderful World Cup," says Dybdal.
"This is a fantastic day for skiing Norway, Northern Norway, and Narvik. Many have made this possible: strong Northern Norwegian forces, national authorities, and the FIS," adds Narvik's Mayor Rune Edvardsen (Labor).
Will provide research input
UiT - the Arctic University of Norway, will contribute with research and innovation to find environmentally sustainable solutions for the ski world.
Narvik 2029 and UiT have previously entered into a strategic cooperation agreement to make the major winter sports event in the university town a showcase for the use of new technology and sustainable measures.
A central part of the agreement is competence building and development of research and innovation projects. Together, the parties have identified several relevant areas for collaboration, such as research on sustainable tourism, lack of snow, icing, snow shielding, and sustainable technology regarding the lighting of trails and production of TV broadcasts.
"We are ready to embark on the projects that the ski sector and many others will have use for, and we have four years to come up with good answers," says CEO Erik Plener.
"We are looking forward to contributing with relevant research, as well as supporting the organizers in other ways," states Rikke Gürgens Gjærum, Vise Rector at UiT.
UiT has a campus in Narvik, which is located close to the alpine slope. The university will also contribute with innovative measures for heating buildings and provide premises during the 2029 Alpine World Ski Championships. (Photo: Kalle Punsvik/UiT)
