Marcialonga – opens the Grand Classics chapter in Season XVIII
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 31, 2027.
The 70-kilometer course is a pilgrimage for long-distance skiers. Marcialonga combines tradition, atmosphere, and sheer physical challenge, the race demands patience, strength, and flawless tactical execution.
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” four times, most recently last season— a testament to its impeccable organization and iconic status.
Last winter, Emilie Fleten and Kasper Stadaas 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 XVIII taking shape, Marcialonga is expected to play a crucial role in the battles for the Yellow, Green, Pink, and Lumberjack bibs.
Marcialonga – Ski Classics World Championship Event 7
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.
Then continue with regional classics:
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.
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:
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:
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.
For more travel inspiration, visit:
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