Frequently asked questions
FAQs
Is there an entrance fee for visiting the World Cup and the entertainment program?
No! The event, as well as the entire entertainment program is free of charge. Just get there in time to reserve the best seats for the events.
Where does the snow come from?
The JEVER SKIHALLE Neuss, situated just a few kilometres from the Rhine, is delivering snow and preparing the World Cup track. One interesting fact about the snow is that it is 100% real snow and made entirely of water and cold air - no chemicals or other ingredients are added. Read more about the snow!
Who had the idea of having a World Cup Cross Country in a major city?
A crazy idea: A Ski World Cup on the Rhine!
The idea for the Ski Cross-Country World Cup on the banks of the Düsseldorf Rhine was conceived eight years ago. The managing directors of the ski hall in Neuss, August Pollen and Johannes Janz, together with the coach of the national team, Jochen Behle, came up with a bold plan of bringing the FIS Ski World Cup to Düsseldorf in 2001. In 2008, the FIS Ski World Cup, with an international record for event visitors, had already taken place for the eighth time. The International Ski Federation, FIS, has now given the Düsseldorf organizers confirmation up until 2012. In the following years, the cross-country World Cup will take place on the first December weekend.
Who is performing on stage on Market Square this year?
Entertainment and fun can once again be found at the large stage on Market Square this year. The entire stage and entertainment program will appear online shortly.
I am bringing my whole family along, is there an extra program catering specifically for children?
In the Swiss Village, children will get expert guidance in making their first ski attempts on the slope. At the ARAG toboggan run, fun on sleds awaits the children and everything is for free!
What is the most convenient means of transport to get to market square?
Where can I park?
The competition on the banks of the Rhine and the snow events on market square, are easily reached with public transport, but can also be reached by car, although public transport is the preferred means of transport to the event. More about public transport and parking areas can be found here.
What are the ecological aspects of the FIS Ski Cross Country World Cup on the Rhine?
The most important ecological aspect of large events is usually the traffic caused by the event and which likewise consumes the largest portion of energy surrounding the overall event, "often over 90 %". Here Düsseldorf, with its excellent traffic infrastructure and outstanding public transport, is perfect for the event.
Approximately half of the visitors in previous years have used public transport to the event and this amount may well increase again this year. Also the distances travelled are comparatively short: A study done at the Advanced Technical College in Düsseldorf show that approximately 75 % of the visitors to the World Cup in 2007, come from Düsseldorf and the surrounding region. Also sensitive environmental areas around Düsseldorf have not been affected by the event.
The energy consumption for the entire meeting lies within the typical range of any large event. In accordance to the number of visitors, the energy consumption per visitor at the World Cup in Düsseldorf, with scarcely 0.5 kw/h, corresponds to the energy consumption per visitor at a concert in a (football) stadium. Likewise, the energy consumption per visitor at a national league football match can also be comparable. If one looks closely, it becomes clear that only a relatively small quantity of snow is needed for the approximately 800 meter long course. The 1500 cubic meters of water needed for the production can fit in a normal 50-Meter swimming pool. On site in Düsseldorf, the snow does not have to be cooled, due to the proper know-how and the snow´s fine structure. The energy consumption used here is zero. Also, no chemicals or other additives are used. The organizers use new trucks for transporting the snow, with the most modern of exhaust fume values. The distance from Neuss to Düsseldorf is also very short: only 16 kilometers. Would it perhaps be more environmentally friendly if one was not to take the snow to Düsseldorf, but if one were to transport the spectators (in a tour bus) from Düsseldorf to another World Cup venue? If one were to calculate the energy consumption, then it would be shown that only about 150 spectators could travel, because the fuel consumption of all truck trips would only equal about three tour bus trips from Düsseldorf to Davos in Switzerland, for example, and back.
The city of Düsseldorf has profited for years by the large international media coverage and the hereby portrayed positive image gained. The local and regional economy has also profited directly from the event and the FIS Ski Cross Country World Cup is an optimal advertisement for one of the healthiest and most attractive kinds of sport.
After the event is over on Sunday, can I bring along my own ski equipment and use the track?
Unfortunately this is not possible due to both the organizational and insurance aspect.
How many different countries and how many athletes are taking part in this year´s World Cup?
In previous years more than 150 athletes from over 20 different countries have taken part in the World Cup in Düsseldorf. Cross-country elite skiers, from all over the world competing for the qualification rounds of the Olympic Games in Vancouver, will be on the starting line this year. The organisers are expecting the cream of international ski cross-country to take part.
Who are the organizers of the World Cup in Düsseldorf?
Organizers of the FIS Ski Cross-country World Cup in Düsseldorf are allrounder (JEVER SKIHALLE Neuss), the Düsseldorf sportAgentur and the West German Skiverband e.v. The partner for tourism is once again the Swiss Tourism department. The Düsseldorf insurance company ARAG, as well as the allrounder entrepreneurial group as organizers and snow supplier, are also the main sponsors of the ski event. The co-sponsor ISS Facility services, as well as the sponsors PCC, Europcar, Audi and Schlösser have extended their commitment. Recently the sponsor Metro Group has also been added.
Is there once again a World Cup party on Saturday? Who will be performing on stage and what is the entrance fee?
The World Cup party will be held at the Schlösser Quartier Bohème in Düsseldorf this year. All information regarding the stage program and ticket sales for the World Cup party will be shown here soon!
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