La Verte des Houches prepares for the 17th Kandahar in Chamonix

The Kandahar world cup ski race has not taken place since 2008, due to both the world championships in Val d'Isere in 2009 and last years winter Olympics in Vancouver. But this winter the Kandahar is back and preparations are underway to ensure the event is bigger than ever!

On the 29th & 30th of January 2011 the downhill and super combined (downhill and slalom) will take place on the infamous Verte des Houches, one of only two pistes for the mens Downhill World Cup circuit approved by the FIS in France (the other is located in Val d'Isère).

Les Houches has recently been preparing the course of piste itself with a bit of mowing, logging and general landscaping. Whilst technicians will check over the snow production system and 50 kms of cables will be put in place ready to televise the event.

Roadworks are also underway with a new interchange on the Autoroute Blanche, creating a new exit closer to the end of the town in Les Houches. The new exit will provide a more direct way into the resort for skiers from Chamonix, arriving by the Bellevue cable car.