FIS inspector Filip Gartner was happy with the amount of snow on the slope, although the organisers are still facing much preparation until 26 January. The organisers expect more than 20,000 spectators at the Saturday giant slalom race and the slalom competition on Sunday, as Slovenia's Tina Maze is leads overall World Cup standings. The last time the Golden Fox was held in Maribor in 2010.

After the competitions were relocated or cancelled three times in the past six years due to mild winters and lack of snow, this year Gartner is happy with the conditions on the slope and the weather forecast for the coming days.

Srečko Vilar, the secretary general of the organisation committee, told the press on Thursday that skiers from 27 countries had applied so far. The budget for the event remained level to last year at EUR 1.1m, which is also the expected income.