Inferno Races 2027 - amateur ski races in Mürren
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From Wednesday 20 to Saturday 23 January 2027, the 83rd International Inferno Races take place in Mürren, ending with the Inferno downhill on Saturday for 1,850 racers.
Good to know
When: Wednesday 20 to Saturday 23 January 2027, downhill on Saturday 23 January
Where: Mürren; the cross-country race starts in Stechelberg
Format: amateur races: cross-country race on Wednesday, Inferno downhill on Saturday
Entry: registration for the downhill closed on 15 September 2026
Getting there: Lauterbrunnen is 14 minutes from the hotel by train, and Mürren is reached from there
The event
The Inferno Races are amateur ski races held in Mürren every January, and 2027 is the 83rd edition. The week opens on Wednesday 20 January at 15:00 with the cross-country race in Stechelberg, the first part of the Inferno combination. On Friday evening the Inferno parade goes through Mürren, and on Saturday 23 January 1,850 racers start the Inferno downhill. Registration closed on 15 September 2026, so the race is fully booked; the programme for spectators is published on inferno-muerren.ch.
Plan your stay
Hotel Victoria Lauberhorn is 1 minute on foot from Wengen station, and Lauterbrunnen is 14 minutes away by train. After a day in Mürren, the spa has an indoor pool, an outdoor whirlpool, a sauna and a steam room, and the Cocktail Bar Lauberhorn, one of the hotel's restaurants and bars, has a fireplace. See what else is on this winter in Wengen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can amateur skiers really race the Inferno downhill?
Yes, the Inferno is the world's biggest amateur alpine race, held in Mürren across the valley from Wengen. The 83rd edition runs from 20 to 23 January 2027, with the downhill field limited to 1,850 skiers. Racers set off at single-start intervals, and finishing times stretch from just over twelve minutes at the front to the better part of an hour further back.
How do I get a start place, and when do entries close?
Entries for the 2027 Inferno close on 15 September 2026, through the online portal. Skiers who earned an Inferno award in any of the last three editions keep their entitlement if they enter before the deadline; every other entry goes into a draw held once the deadline has passed. Confirmations are sent to team representatives by the end of September, and nothing is paid until a place is confirmed.
What does it cost to enter, and who is eligible?
The entry fee is CHF 70 for the downhill and a further CHF 30 for the super combination, payable once a place is confirmed. The fee covers the start number, the commemorative pin and the Inferno award. Entry is open to skiers born in 2009 or earlier with solid technique, health and fitness; the combination is capped at 500.
What is the course, and how do I follow the race from Wengen?
The downhill runs 14.9 km with roughly 1,990 m of vertical descent, dropping from high below the Schilthorn through Mürren to the valley floor at Lauterbrunnen. From Wengen, the Wengernalpbahn reaches Lauterbrunnen and the finish area in 14 minutes. Mürren itself is reached onward by cable car and mountain railway.
Why base myself at Hotel Victoria Lauberhorn for the Inferno?
The Inferno draws thousands into the valley for one long weekend, and beds go early, so book your January stay in good time. Hotel Victoria Lauberhorn stands a few steps from the Wengen railway station, making the finish line a short ride away. You come back to a quiet car-free village, with one of the largest spa areas in Wengen for tired legs and the hotel restaurants for the evening after.