Downhill racing in the shadow of the Matterhorn next weekend has been cancelled ©Getty Images

Next weekend's cross-border men's downhill races at Zermatt and Cervinia have been cancelled because of a lack of snow.

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) held a final snow check today and the lower part of the course was deemed unsafe, following rain.

Women's downhill races, scheduled for November 5 and 6, remain on the calendar for now.

The cancellation is a blow for the Alpine Ski World Cup circuit and comes on the same day a season-opening women's giant slalom contest in Sölden was also scrapped because of inclement weather.

The men's season remains due to begin tomorrow in Sölden, should the weather allow.

It is also a tough pill to swallow for the Organising Committee.

"We have done so much in the past few weeks and months," lamented President Franz Julen.

Zermatt and Cervinia are positioned either side of the Swiss-Italian border ©Getty Images
Zermatt and Cervinia are positioned either side of the Swiss-Italian border ©Getty Images

"Logistically and organisationally, we are ready. 

"On the track, the team gave everything to the end so that we could also manage the lower part of the racetrack. 

"Ultimately, however, we must recognise that nature is always stronger than man."

FIS men's Alpine race director Hannes Trinkl and assistant Raimund Plancker carried out today's snow inspection.