Championship Competition Venues

The Ried Cross-Country Arena

During the comprehensive construction phase of 2003, approximately six million euros were invested in transforming the Ried area into a world-class cross-country venue. The development encompassed not only a primary functional building and additional storage facilities but also extensive track improvements and technical infrastructure enhancements.

A cornerstone of this modernization was the installation of a state-of-the-art snowmaking system, anchored by a storage reservoir with a capacity approaching twelve thousand cubic meters. Strategic connection points were established throughout the stadium and along the courses, with comprehensive pipeline networks laid to ensure reliable snow production across the entire venue.

Temporary structures for the championships—including grandstands, broadcast infrastructure, and hospitality areas—are erected specifically for major competitions, allowing the venue to maintain flexibility while meeting the demanding requirements of international events.

For year-round training and competition preparation, the Ried facility features nearly seven kilometers of roller skiing tracks. The initial phase of this summer training infrastructure was completed in 2004, with connecting sections to the stadium and additional route segments finished in 2009, creating a comprehensive training environment for athletes throughout the calendar year.

Competition Course Configuration

The championship course network at the Ried Cross-Country Arena encompasses multiple loop configurations designed to accommodate diverse race formats:

• Sprint circuits of 0.9 kilometers and 1.2 kilometers
• Burgstall routes measuring 3.3, 3.75, and 5.0 kilometers
• Zimmeroy courses of 3.3, 3.75, and 5.0 kilometers
• Combined Burgstall and Zimmeroy circuit totaling 7.5 kilometers

The proximity of test courses and training facilities to the athletes' village provides exceptional convenience for competitors. Beyond the arena itself, the surrounding valleys—including Birgsautal, Spielmannsau, and Rohrmoos—offer additional outstanding training opportunities within the broader landscape.

The Schattenberg Ski Jump Arena

Nestled directly beneath the Schattenberg mountain, the championship ski jump complex comprises five distinct jumping hills. The two large hills—measuring HS 137 and HS 106—serve as the primary venues for world championship competitions, while three smaller training hills (HS 60, HS 30, and HS 20) support athlete development and preparation.

This storied venue hosts the traditional opening event of the Four Hills Tournament each December, maintaining its position as one of ski jumping's most celebrated locations. The arena's history stretches back to the 1920s, when the first jumpers launched themselves from what would become the legendary Schattenberg facility.

International prominence arrived in January 1953 with the inaugural Four Hills Tournament, establishing what would become ski jumping's most prestigious competition series. By the twenty-first edition in 1972, a modern concrete structure had replaced earlier wooden construction, with the new K115 hill rising beside the original site.

The late 1990s brought innovative ski lift systems and expanded spectator capacity through standing-room terraces above the Faltenbach stream. A transformative seventeen-million-euro renovation commenced in 2003 ahead of the 2005 world championships, expanding the K115 to HS 137 dimensions and enabling longer flights.

This comprehensive modernization included a new incline elevator capable of transporting forty individuals per journey from landing area to jump tower, stadium reconfiguration with enhanced functional facilities, and construction of a new administrative building. The most recent major development occurred in 2011, when the thirty-year-old normal hill received a 4.5-million-euro transformation into the current HS 106 configuration, including access road construction and judge tower restoration.

Technical Capabilities and Summer Programming

Contemporary infrastructure includes comprehensive lift access and modern snowmaking technology throughout the complex. Under optimal conditions, the entire arena can be prepared with machine-generated snow within three days, ensuring reliable competition conditions regardless of natural weather patterns.

Summer programming transforms the venue into a vibrant activity center. The FIS Summer Grand Prix for Nordic Combined competition highlights the warm-weather calendar, joined by community events such as the Schanzengaudi celebration and open-air cinema screenings. Conference facilities and distinctive outdoor offerings—including the Skywalk climbing park suspended between the two large hills—ensure year-round utilization of this remarkable sporting landmark.

Championship Venue Gallery