Did you hear that joke about a fox?

And, actually, this is a true story, it is not even a joke. Indeed. In 1964, 55 years ago, on the 27th and 28th of February the first Golden Fox SKI Cup for Women, that later became Golden Fox FIS Ski World Cup for Women, was held in Maribor. Today, the Golden Fox is a world-renowned ski competition that has been this year celebrating its 55th anniversary. Dušan Senčar, one of the founding organisers, later said: »We had an idea, wish and determination to bring the best world skiers to Maribor. But we, of course, had no idea what a big and important competition this would become.«

This year’s competition of the best female alpine ski racers was held on the 1st and 2nd of February and it again took place at Maribor’s snow slopes of the Pohorje mountain just above Habakuk Hotel. This year, the winner in Slalom was American skier Mikaela Shiffrin, who also tied with Petra Vlhova in Giant Slalom. On top of it, incredible Mikaela Shiffrin also won the common Golden Fox Trophy as the best skier of the whole competition.

The annual Golden Fox Competition provides an unforgettable atmosphere. Each year, around 20 thousand visitors come to see the competition, while there are almost 200 million around the world watching the direct TV broadcast from Maribor. When reaching records, Maribor can proudly say that in two days it hosts around 40 thousand visitors that come to the Snow Stadium which is set on the slope just above the famous Maribor’s congress hotel – Habakuk Hotel.

In addition,the skiing is accompanied by entertaining programme that starts on the opening night one day before the first competition when there is the public drawn of the competition numbers on. There are concerts too. For two days the events are held at the Snow Stadium as well as in the centre of Maribor – at the Trg Leona Štuklja Square.

According to all FIS International Standards, the organisation of the Golden Fox event has been evaluated as outstanding. The special allure of the competition is in the fact that it is set practically in the city and not outside of it as it is usual for such competitions. The next Golden Fox will return for a serious ski down the Maribor slope’s between the 18th and 19th of January 2020. No joke!