FIS-approved downhill slope

It is decided. Björkliden Fjällby proudly presents Sweden's second FIS-approved downhill.

With 538 meters, Sweden's third largest vertical drop, Björkliden Fjällby is one of the few facilities in the country who meets the requirements for obtaining a downhill approved by
FIS, the Federation Internationale de Ski. An application was submitted in spring 2009 and now it is officially completed.

- It's not every day we see the arrival of new trails in Sweden, says Toni Franz, at Kiruna BK, which organizes the Alpine SM in Björkliden 2010. We now have a powerful arena for training and competitions in northern Sweden, which has generated a huge interest among ski clubs.

A representative from FIS visited Björkliden with Kiruna BK already in October 2009 to make a so-called Homologisering, an assessment and qualification of the pistes.
- The basis for a Homologisering are specific facts surrounding the drop height, slope, length, need for safety nets and snow conditions, says Toni Franz, who attended the assessment.

Homologiseringen must be approved by the FIS office in Oberhof, Switzerland, which is a must for all that hosts FIS competitions. The agreement is now official and valid for five years.

In Sweden there are a number of FIS-approved slopes, but to date only one admitted downhill - until now. It is a spectacular and technical track where the athletes will fly far in jumps and reach a speed of 120 kilometers per hour.

- Obviously, this is a boost for us as a ski destination, says Terje Pedersen, Events manager. Björkliden Fjällby will be able to arrange a excellent Alpine SM in all disciplines - slalom, giant slalom, super combined, super G and downhill. We now look forward to April when Sweden's best skiers compete for the SM-title, hopefully with some fresh Olympic medalists in the starting field.

View all of this article