Snow Queen Trophy

In January 2023, the races for the 17th skiing spectacle Audi FIS World Cup "Snow Queen Trophy" will return to Sljeme in all their glory and with the renewed support of the fans who made the races in Sljeme recognizable in the World Ski Cup.

The public drawing of starting numbers for the 1st women's race will take place on January 3 at 6 p.m. in front of the Croatian National Theatre.

2023, the world's best slalom skiers will traditionally start on Zagreb's Sljeme. For the 17h time, Sljeme will host a women's race. The best slalom skiers will fight for points, the crown and the cloak of the Snow Queen on January 4, and the first run will start at 1.30.pm while the second run of the world's best slalom skiers starts at 4.30.pm. The day after, on January 5, is the second slalom race, the first run at 3 p.m., the second with a start at 6 p.m. Among the skiers are our representatives Leona Popović and Zrinka Ljutić, who started the ski season with excellent results, which is an additional invitation to the spectators to the Snow Queen!

As in previous years, the Sljeme races will bring together 150 world skiers and more than 400 team members from about 25 countries on 4 continents.

For years, Sljeme ski race has one of the highest ratings among FIS Ski World Cup races, and in 2020 the women's Sljeme race is the most watched of all FIS Ski World Cup races in terms of live TV viewing, while the men's race was the 4th most watched.

Every year, both slalom live broadcasts of renowned TV stations in more than 20 countries, while recordings, news and reports travel to about 50 other countries. Thus, the image from Sljeme will once again travel the world and promote Zagreb as a destination, and Croatian sports and athletes globally, contributing to the already powerful sports brand of the Republic of Croatia.

For the first time, 84 gondolas will take the straw farmers to the top of Medvednica.

There are few who do not know about the Snow Queen and the Snow King and this magnificent world ski race. And for that minority, here is some basic information.

Snow Queen

The name for the women's slalom race of the World Ski Cup. It has been held at Zagreb's Sljeme since 2005. The original name of the race is the Golden Bear, which has been renamed in honor to Janica Kostelić. Because of her sport success, this race was awarded to the organization of Croatia and Zagreb. Skiing on the Red track and the trophy which goes to the winner is the crystal crown by the mantle and seats for the throne as queen. Janica Kostelic had the best race in her life at the Snow Queen 2006., winning the 3rd place. She is the first and for the time the only Croat who won the World Cup skiing medal.

Snow king

The name for the men's slalom race of the World Ski Cup. The race has been held in Sljeme since 2008 and the skiing is also on Red track. Ivica Kostelić has reached the second place for three times, 2008, 2009, and 2011.