A few days before the start of the Alpine World Ski Championship 2025 in Saalbach, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner, Governor Wilfried Haslauer, ÖSV President Roswitha Stadlober and State Police Director Bernhard Rausch on January 31, 2025, informed about the comprehensive security police preparations.
Interior Minister Karner said: “Already at the Ski World Cup final in March 2024 I was able to get an idea of the extensive planning. The successful implementation of the events at the time, so to speak the ‘small dress rehearsal’ for the upcoming Ski World Championship, was successful. ”Karner added great sports events for the police. “The mandate of the police is therefore clear: security for visitors, for the athletes and to ensure comprehensively for the locals.”
Police tasks at the 2025 ski World Cup
The Alpine Ski-WM 2025 will take place in Saalbach in Salzburg from February 4th to 16th. Up to 15,000 spectators are expected every day, both in the target area and along the race tracks. This presents the police in front of a number of challenges, especially in the areas of traffic management and security.
Traffic management
The interior minister emphasized that the geographical conditions of the Glemmtal would require a well thought -out traffic concept. “Among other things, the ÖBB increasingly provides shuttle services from the Maishofen train stations to the venues, and the police transmit traffic disruptions and disorders to the media in real time to ensure a smooth flow of traffic.”
State Police Director Bernhard Rausch said: “We are perfectly coordinated with all relevant institutions – the official and operational coordination of the overall assignment takes place in a mission in the state police directorate in Salzburg.” . We have the latest technology in use that ensure a comprehensive location overview at any time. ”In addition to numerous uniformed colleagues, special and civilians are also used in order to permanently ensure the best possible security.
Ski association in close coordination with the Ministry of the Interior and the State Police Directorate
ÖSV President Roswitha Stadlober said: “As an Austrian ski association, we take the topic of security very seriously and are therefore in close coordination with the Interior Ministry or the Salzburg State Police Directorate. The guarantee of security is already considered the top criterion in advance whether the Austrian Ski Association is even awarded the contract to organize such a major sporting event. ”
Governor Wilfried Haslauer emphasized: “We are all happy that things are finally going. The past few months have been characterized by intensive planning work of all emergency organizations to ensure a carefree and, above all, safe ski festival. ”He praised the perfect interaction between the authorities, the police, the district administration and the rescue, aid and operational organizations with the municipality of Saalbach -Hinterglemm and the organizer. “This close cooperation is the guarantee that the SKI World Cup becomes a successful festival of sport – the focus with people and the entire Salzburg region.”
Increased risk situation, but no concrete threat
The security situation in Europe also requires special precautions at the 2025 Ski World Cup, added the Interior Minister. “Since October 7, 2024, there has been an increased risk situation in most European countries – a generally increased risk situation also applies in Austria, but no concrete threat. Therefore, a coordinated staff of the Salzburg State Police Directorate was established in cooperation with other operational organizations. ”The Interior Minister added that several hundred police officers from all over Austria would be in action. “The most modern security technologies, including drones, support the emergency services on site.”
Thanks and outlook
Karner thanked the state of Salzburg, the ÖSV and the municipality of Saalbach for the close cooperation and emphasized the importance of a successful and safe ski World Cup 2025. “I wish the participating police athletes every success and hope for an exciting championship.”