Nine teams across seven sports and disciplines will travel to Switzerland - ice hockey, curling, Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, biathlon, snowboarding and short track speed skating.

"We are thrilled to have this exceptional group of student-athletes, coaches, and staff heading to Switzerland for what is sure to be an outstanding experience," said Chef de Mission Ben Matchett.

"It is always an honour to wear your nation’s colours, and we know that Team Canada will represent our country with pride at Lucerne 2021."

Lucerne 2021 is set to be the first Universiade held since the COVID-19 pandemic, and Matchett says he and the team are excited to return to competitive international sport. 

"While we’re all excited to get back to sport and experience all that the Winter Universiade has to offer in a beautiful part of the world, our first priority will always be the health and safety of the Canadian delegation," Matchett insisted.

"FISU [International University Sports Federation] and the Lucerne Organising Committee have put in place stringent protocols to ensure the safety of participants including mandatory vaccination and testing, and we know we all have a responsibility to keep ourselves and each other safe and healthy."

Canada's best medal count at a Winter Universiade was in 1985 in Belluno in Italy, where the nation won 18 medals - five gold, five silver and eight bronze.

At Krasnoyarsk 2019, Canada won five medals - one gold, two silver and two bronze.

The Lucerne 2021 Opening Ceremony is scheduled for December 11, though curling and ice hockey competition will begin before then.

The Games are due to close on December 21.