FIS officials visited Kazan to inspect facilities ©FIS

International Ski Federation (FIS) officials have visited the Russian city Kazan, which will make its debut as a snowboard World Cup host during the 2016-17 winter season.

The capital of the Republic of Tatarstan will stage an FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup between February 24 and 26, 2017, as well as a Parallel Giant Slalom World Cup on February 25.

As part of the visit, the FIS delegation inspected facilities and met with organisers and local authorities, with the party left enthused by what they saw.

“We were impressed when we arrived," said FIS snowboard race director Uwe Beier.

"It's a pulsing city, provides a great infrastructure and has successfully hosted various international sport events already."

Snowboard Cross (pictured) and Parallel Giant Slalom World Cups will be held in Kazan ©Getty Images
Snowboard Cross (pictured) and Parallel Giant Slalom World Cups will be held in Kazan ©Getty Images

Kazan has proclaimed itself as a future "sporting capital" of Russia and has already played host to a series of top events.

The city staged the 2013 Universiade and last year's World Aquatics Championships, while matches during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia will be played there.

The Kazan Sports Palace will host the World Mixed Curling Championship in October this year, while the city was listed alongside Sochi as the possible venue for the tipped Russian bid for the 2019 European Games.