Marcialonga opens the Grand Classics chapter in Season XVII
The Ski Classics Pro Tour continues with its fourth event of Season XVII: Marcialonga, the first Grand Classics event of the season, on Sunday, January 25, 2026, in Italy.
Covering a 70-kilometer course from Moena to Cavalese, Marcialonga unfolds in the heart of the Dolomites and is considered one of the world’s most prestigious long-distance skiing races. The legendary track climbs to 1.450 meters above sea level and features a total elevation gain of 870 meters, testing the stamina, tactics, and grit of every athlete.
A Monument in Ski Classics
Since its inception in 1971, Marcialonga has captivated skiers and fans alike with its vibrant atmosphere and dramatic course winding through charming Italian mountain villages. It has been voted Ski Classics “Event of the Year” three times, most recently in Season XV, highlighting its iconic status in the sport.
“Marcialonga opens up the Grand Classics events, as every season, and it is an event that creates a peak for the first part of the season. I believe that every athlete looks forward to a little extra to this classic event. All the way from Moena start, via the Cascata climb, to the finish in Cavalese, it is a true folkfest. This winter, since the Olympics is just some days later in the same valley, there might be some minor adjustments to the course in the Lago area, but minor ones," says Ski Classics Director Oskar Svärd.
A Key Marker in the Season
Marcialonga is the first of the four Grand Classics events. Any athlete who wins all four in the same season, Marcialonga, Jizerská50, Vasaloppet, and Birkebeinerrennet, achieves the coveted Grand Slam, a historic feat yet to be accomplished in Ski Classics history.
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