As they stand in the start gate, the skiers cannot see beyond the first technical section, but they know they are facing an iconic course. Around thirty obstacles separate them from the finish line, one kilometre away.
Since 2024, the Piste de l’Ours has no longer hosted snowboard cross races. The course has therefore been adapted to make the most of ski cross’s potential. There have been no major changes since then.
Speed right from the start
The Piste de l’Ours course starts with a bang. Immediately after the first obstacle, a very steep slope gives the skiers speed before the first major jump.
The first turn is off-camber: it runs against the slope, which pulls the skiers towards the outside of the bend. Turning left, it leads them into the first rollers, a series of bumps. Here, the skiers have two options for maintaining maximum speed: absorb each change in the terrain or try to clear two rollers at a time.
Suspense all the way to the finish
Just after these rollers, the skiers reach the corner jump, which lands them at the entrance to the next turn. After several very steep turns, they arrive at one of the Piste de l’Ours’s main attractions: the tunnel jump.
Two turns later, a sequence of bumps threatens to punish the slightest mistake. Finally, after the last turn, one final set of rollers awaits. These can be tackled using different strategies, promising late twists in the race.
Encouraging overtaking
The Piste de l’Ours offers a highly varied course. Combining spectacular jumps and technical sections, it promises to reward the most complete male and female skiers. Its layout was designed to create as many overtaking opportunities as possible.
For years, the Veysonnaz course has been designed to make the most of the available slope. Each year, the layout is adjusted slightly to minimise the amount of snow that needs to be produced to build it.