From 1 to 14 February 2027, Crans-Montana in Valais hosts the Alpine World Ski Championships. Before the first racer starts, we clip into our skis with a sprayer on our backs and a lance in hand. We’re the Team Picasso volunteers who mark Mont Lachaux and the Nationale so racers can see where the gradient changes.
From the stands you can see both courses run into the same finish stadium. Before you check the clock, look for a blue stripe across a roll. Even when the shadows disappear, it picks out the spot where the slope drops away.
Annick Bonzon leads the marking crew on Mont Lachaux.
The gradient changes from the Mur de Marius to the Trou du Renard. Further down, past the Bosse du Président and the Traverse de Clavan, the Reck de Vermala drops towards the stands. From there you can watch both the women’s and the men’s slalom.
See the Mont Lachaux course map and profileFabien Dischinger leads the marking crew on the Nationale.
The terrain rolls from Bella Lui towards the Cassure de Cry d’Er. Find the Cabane des chasseurs, the Plat des Houlès and the Mur des Mélèzes on the map. The Nationale hosts the men’s downhill and both giant slaloms, among other races.
See the Nationale course map and profileForty years after the 1987 Worlds, eleven titles are up for grabs in Crans-Montana. Watch from the fence during a break and you might see two Picasso volunteers refresh a mark once race control gives the go-ahead.