After the opening block of the season in Austria and Switzerland, the Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII heads to Italy for one of the sport’s greatest monuments: Marcialonga, the first Grand Classics event of the winter, taking place on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
The 70-kilometer course from Moena to Cavalese is a pilgrimage for long-distance skiers. Winding through the Fassa and Fiemme Valleys at the foot of the Dolomites, Marcialonga combines tradition, atmosphere, and sheer physical challenge. With its highest point at 1,450 meters above sea level and 826 meters of total climbing, the race demands patience, strength, and flawless tactical execution.
“Athletes look forward to this classic event with something extra,” says Ski Classics Director Oskar Svärd in a previous statement. “From the start in Moena to the iconic Cascata climb and the finish in Cavalese, it is a true folkfest. This winter, the Olympic preparations may bring minor adjustments in the Lago area, but nothing that changes the character of Marcialonga.”
Also Read: Marcialonga opens the Grand Classics chapter in Season XVII
A cornerstone of Ski Classics
Since 1971, Marcialonga has been writing its own legend. A race rooted in Italian mountain culture, it passes through colorful villages where thousands of spectators line the street, cheering with unmatched passion. The event has been awarded Ski Classics “Event of the Year” three times, most recently in Season XV — a testament to its impeccable organization and iconic status.
Last winter, Emilie Fleten and Andreas Nygaard claimed dominant victories, adding their names to a winner’s list that includes many of the greatest long-distance skiers of all time.
A defining chapter in the season
Marcialonga marks the beginning of the Grand Classics series. Any athlete winning all four on the same season — Marcialonga, Jizerská50, Vasaloppet, and Birkebeinerrennet — achieves the Grand Slam, one of the most coveted achievements in Ski Classics history. No skier has ever completed it.
With Season XVII taking shape, Marcialonga is expected to play a crucial role in the battles for the Yellow, Green, Pink, and Squared Patterned ‘Lumberjack’ bibs.
The Marcialonga experience – culture, traditions, and the Dolomites
Beyond the event itself, Marcialonga offers one of the richest cultural and culinary experiences in the Ski Classics calendar. This is the heart of the Dolomites — a region where Italian style blends with Ladin traditions, and where food, landscapes, and hospitality are as memorable as the race.
What to eat – a taste of Fiemme and Fassa
Instead of highlighting a single area, Marcialonga invites visitors to embark on a comprehensive culinary journey through the traditional dishes of the Fiemme and Fassa Valleys, paired with Cavit’s finest Trentino wines.
Start your tasting with a local aperitif, featuring cured meats, speck, salami, mountain cheeses, and a few pieces of Trentingrana, ideally paired with a glass of Müller Thurgau.
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Then continue with regional classics:
- Strangolapreti – bread, spinach, and cheese dumplings with butter and sage, paired with Pinot Grigio Trentino DOC
- Tagliatelle Monograno Felicetti with porcini mushrooms – a fragrant mountain favorite, beautifully matched with Chardonnay Trentino DOC
- Polenta di Storo with game and Puzzone di Moena – intense flavors, best enjoyed with Marzemino Trentino DOC
- Zuppa d’orzo ladina – a hearty barley soup with vegetables and speck, excellent with Pinot Nero Trentino DOC
- Melinda apple strudel – served with San Vigilio Moscato Dolce
To bring a piece of the valleys home, browse local shops for Pasta Felicetti, cheeses from the three valley dairies, and Cavit wines at the Enoteca Cavit in Trento.
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Where to stay – hospitality across the valleys
Accommodation in Val di Fassa and Val di Fiemme ranges from family-run chalets to modern wellness resorts. Each area has its own character:
- Upper Val di Fassa – dramatic Dolomite peaks and easy access to ski slopes
- Lower Val di Fassa – traditional Ladin atmosphere and charming village centers
- Lower Val di Fiemme – lively, energetic, and close to the Marcialonga finish
- Upper Val di Fiemme – home to Olympic venues and year-round sports facilities
Wherever you choose to stay, expect warm Italian hospitality, spa and wellness facilities, and cuisine that blends Alpine and Mediterranean influences.
What to do and see – Dolomites magic
While Marcialonga is the highlight of the weekend, the region offers endless winter activities:
- Explore Dolomiti Superski, one of the world’s largest ski areas
- Relax at the elegant QC Terme centers
- Go ski touring or snowshoeing in the wild Lagorai range
- Experience the pink glow of the Dolomites at sunset — the famous Enrosadira
The best views are from Passo Lavazè or Col Rodella, where the mountains turn shades of rose and gold as the day comes to an end.
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For more travel inspiration, visit:
Marcialonga – Ski Classics Pro Tour Event 4
- Date: Sunday, January 25, 2026
- Location: Moena–Cavalese, Italy
- Distance: 70km classic technique
- Highest Point: 1,450m
- Elevation Gain: 826m
- Last Edition Winners: Emilie Fleten (3:09:24.6) and Andreas Nygaard (2:39:34.7)
- More info: skiclassics.com | marcialonga.it
- SC Play: Marcialonga
Follow the action
- Instagram: @marcialonga_
- Facebook: facebook.com/scmarcialonga
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Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII (2025/2026)
- Event 1: December 13, 2025 – Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
- Event 2: December 14, 2025 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
- Event 3: January 17, 2026 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 55km
- Event 4: January 25, 2026 – Marcialonga – Moena-Cavalese, Italy, 70km
- Event 5: January 30, 2026 – Bedřichov Sprint – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 1.5km
- Event 6: February 1, 2026 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
- Event 7: March 1, 2026 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
- Event 8: March 7, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Women – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
- Event 9: March 8, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Men – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
- Event 10: March 14, 2026 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
- Event 11: March 21, 2026 – Marcialonga Bodø – Bodø, Norway, 50km
- Event 12: March 28, 2026 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 35km
- Event 13: March 29, 2026 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km
For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour, make sure to visit skiclassics.com.
Author: Leandro Lutz
Top Photo: Magnus Östh
