Sestriere, Italy, is set to shine after dark as skiers get the opportunity to experience one of the resort’s most famous World Cup slopes under artificial lights. The Italian mountain destination has a long association with elite alpine skiing, and its illuminated Kandahar Giovanni Alberto Agnelli course has played an important role in the sport’s history.
Located in the Via Lattea ski area, Sestriere sits at more than 2,000 metres above sea level and is one of Italy’s best-known winter sports destinations. The resort has hosted major international competitions, including World Cup races, the 1997 World Ski Championships and events at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics.
The Kandahar Giovanni Alberto Agnelli is particularly significant because it was the venue for the first FIS World Cup night slalom at international level, held in December 1994. Its artificial lighting allows skiing to continue after sunset, creating a very different atmosphere from daytime racing.
The slope also carries a more recent piece of skiing history involving American superstar Mikaela Shiffrin. On February 23, 2025, Shiffrin won the women’s slalom in Sestriere to claim the 100th World Cup victory of her career. The achievement made her the first alpine skier to reach the extraordinary milestone of 100 World Cup wins.
Shiffrin’s historic victory has given the Kandahar Giovanni Alberto Agnelli even greater significance among fans of the sport. In March 2026, Sestriere unveiled a commemorative sculpture celebrating the American’s landmark 100th victory on the same slope.
The course itself is designed for high-level technical skiing. It is homologated for World Cup special and giant slalom events for both men and women, while its steep and technical sections provide a demanding challenge for competitive skiers.
Night skiing offers visitors the chance to experience that famous terrain in a completely different setting. Under the lights, the snow, surrounding mountains and illuminated course create a distinctive winter atmosphere, while skiers can enjoy the same historic environment associated with some of the biggest names in alpine skiing.
Sestriere’s continued investment in skiing also reinforces its reputation as a destination where recreational visitors can experience slopes with genuine World Cup pedigree. The resort remains closely connected to international competition, with the Kandahar Giovanni Alberto Agnelli continuing to host major events.
For fans who remember Shiffrin’s historic 100th victory, skiing beneath the lights on the same famous course offers an especially meaningful connection to one of the defining moments in modern alpine skiing.
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