The biennial event, which will feature Lindsey Vonn and Maria Riesch continuing their rivalry in the women's races over the next two weeks in the Bavarian Alps, holds an unenviable position in the skiing calendar.
Many racers give more value to the World Cup which is held at a host of venues from November to March and which demands both consistency over the season and the ability to compete in a number of disciplines.
Slalom specialist Kostelic, the overall World Cup leader and winner of seven races since the turn of the year, appears to be one of them, judging by his comments after winning at Chamonix last week.
"For me, the world championships will be like a holiday," said the Croatian, slalom champion at St Moritz eight years ago.
"I will be in the same place, I will be able to relax, focus on my races and I don't know if I will take part in all of them, especially the downhill."
"For me, it's really about winning the World Cup and I just hope I stay healthy."
The event, also a step down from Olympic skiing, does not even enjoy the luxury of a build up.
The first race, the women's super G, is being held on Tuesday, two days after World Cup meetings in Hinterstoder in Austria for the men and Zwiesel in Germany for the women.
With Riesch competing in her home town, the rivalry between her and Vonn is bound to be bubbling under the surface as the German threatens to turn the tables on the American.
LAND DISPUTE
Vonn, world champion in downhill and super G, has won the World Cup for the last three years while Riesch, the slalom champion, has had to settle for one third place and two runners-up spots.
The two are close friends but the tension has been heightened with Riesch leading this year's World Cup ahead of second-placed Vonn, who missed Friday's slalom in Zwiesel after crashing in training.
Among the racers possibly competing at their last world championships are 36-year-old Swiss Didier Cuche, Austria's Michael Walchhofer and American Bode Miller.
As with Olympic skiing, the world championships have a tradition of turning up surprises and the World Cup can prove an unreliable form guide.