Our
History
The beginning of a story
The history of the Critérium de la Première Neige dates back to the 1950s, a time when alpine ski competitions typically began in January. However, the Club des Sports de Val d’Isère, led by Louis Erny (the first president of the Club des Sports) and Charles Diebold (founder of the first ski school in France), decided to revolutionize the calendar by organizing a competition as early as December. The goal was twofold: to attract skiers in training during this period and to establish Val d’Isère as an internationally renowned ski destination.
The Affirmation of French Skiing
In its early editions, the Critérium de la Première Neige primarily attracted French skiers. However, starting in the 1960s, an exceptional event occurred: the French alpine ski team began to shine on the international stage, winning Olympic medals and world titles. French training methods captured the world’s attention, and many foreign skiers began including the Critérium de la Première Neige in their competition schedules.
The historic turning point
The year 1981 marked a turning point in the history of the Critérium de la Première Neige. During the December edition, two iconic figures proposed an ambitious idea: Jean-Claude Killy, the former triple Olympic champion in alpine skiing, and Michel Barnier, a deputy from Savoie and president of the General Council, suggested organizing the Winter Olympics in Savoie.
One year later, on December 11, 1982, during the Critérium de la Première Neige, a historic press conference took place. Jean-Claude Killy, Michel Barnier, and Henri Dujol, the mayor of Albertville, officially announced the city and department of Savoie’s bid to host the 1992 Winter Olympics. This announcement marked the beginning of an exceptional Olympic adventure for the region.
Olympic consecration
In 1992, Albertville had the honor of hosting the Winter Olympics, fulfilling the dream proposed during the Critérium de la Première Neige in 1981. These Games were a tremendous success, and since then, the history of the Critérium de la Première Neige has been closely intertwined with that of the Olympics.
Heritage and Tradition
Today, the Critérium de la Première Neige is much more than just a ski competition. It has become a true tradition, symbolizing Val d’Isère’s passion and commitment to alpine skiing. Many ski legends have made their mark in the history of this event, which continues to attract the world’s top skiers.
