The Ski Classics Challengers events, Gsiesertal Lauf Classic and Skating, are 42km long-distance skiing races taking place this Saturday and Sunday in Gsiesertal, Italy.
Also known as Granfondo Val Casies, the Gsiesertal Lauf is once again part of the Ski Classics Challengers series with a double race weekend in the Gsiesertal Valley, South Tyrol. The program features a 42km Classic race on Saturday, February 28, followed by a 42km Skating race on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
First held in 1984, the Gsiesertal Lauf is one of Italy’s most traditional long-distance skiing events and the country’s second-largest ski race.
One idea, one vision, many emotions
According to the Local Organizing Committee, the Gsiesertal Lauf is among the best-known and most beloved ski marathons in the Alpine region. The event combines top-level sport with culinary experiences, music, and entertainment, creating a complete winter festival atmosphere in South Tyrol.
The race offers two main distances, 30km and 42km, with the Classic competition held on Saturday and the Skating race on Sunday. The popular “Just for Fun” category allows recreational skiers to participate without timing pressure, and the weekend also includes the Gsiesertal KIDS Run.
The event
Over the years, numerous big names in cross-country skiing have competed in Gsiesertal. Among them are Ski Classics Legend and Olympic champion Anders Aukland, Relay World Champion Michail Botvinov, Italian Olympic champions Silvio Fauner and Giorgio Di Centa, Ole Einar Bjørndalen, World Champion Anders Gløersen, and double Olympic champion Justyna Kowalczyk-Tekieli.
The defending champions from 2025 are Mikael Abram and Christina Pittin in the 42km Skating race, while Francesco Ferrari and Michaela Patscheider hold the titles in the 42km Classic.
The Gsiesertal Lauf also boasts an impressive record. Since its first edition in 1984, the event has never been canceled due to weather conditions. Even during winters with limited snowfall across the Alpine region, organizers have worked closely with local authorities to ensure race-ready tracks. The only exception came in 2021 due to force majeure during the Covid pandemic.
Course map
Gsiesertal Lauf / Granfondo Val Casies – Ski Classics Challengers
- Date: February 28 and March 1, 2026
- Location: Gsiesertal
- Country: Italy
- Distance: 42km for both Ski Classics Challengers events
- Technique: Classic and Skating
- Website: Gsiesertal Lauf/Granfondo Val Casies
- Facebook: Gsiesertal Lauf/Granfondo Val Casies
- Instagram: Gsiesertal Lauf/Granfondo Val Casies
- TikTok: Gsiesertal Lauf/Granfondo Val Casies
- Registration: Gsiesertal Lauf/Granfondo Val Casies
More information about the event can be found HERE (Classic) and HERE (Skating).
As the Gsiesertal Lauf / Granfondo Val Casies events are Ski Classics Challengers events, Pro Team registered athletes can collect points for the Ski Classics Champion and Youth competitions in their respective genders.
A list of Ski Classics Challengers events with confirmed dates for the 2025/2026 season can be found on the Ski Classics website. The list is updated continuously with new events.
Everyone participating in Ski Classics, Pro Tour, or Challengers events, as well as professional and recreational skiers, can connect their profile to Ski Classics’ results database, MyPages.
MyPages can be connected for free. In the profile, you can view your Ski Classics event results, collect pins, print diplomas, and analyze your results with friends in the SC ranking system. In your profile, you collect points according to your performance and are rewarded with pins and diplomas.
One of the central features of MyPages is that you get your global SC ranking. The SC Ranking is a live-updated international ranking that is unique for combining women and men, professional and recreational skiers, in a single list.
Author: Leandro Lutz
Photos: Newspower.it
