The Engadin Valley has hosted Ski Classics since Season IV, and today Engadin La Diagonela is one of the most respected long-distance skiing events in Europe. What began in 2014 as an emergency replacement race after a Czech event was cancelled for lack of snow has grown into a cornerstone of the Ski Classics calendar, drawing around 1,800 athletes from dozens of nations every January.
Engadin La Diagonela Travel Guide
- Active years: Engadin La Diagonela joined Ski Classics in Season IV; the January 2027 edition is its 14th.
- Record number of participants: 2026, total of 1,802 participants
- Other event distances: Register here
- Thursday, January 14, 2027: The Engadin La Diagonela adventure kicks off with La Saireda, a mass-start race in classic technique from Pontresina to Hotel Roseg Gletscher. The course leads through the wild and romantic Val Roseg. La Saireda is classified as a Challengers event.
- Saturday, January 16, 2027: The main Engadin La Diagonela race takes place over 55km. Those who prefer a more leisurely challenge can enjoy their introduction to classic technique with La Pachifica (25km) or La Cuorta (6km).
- Sunday, January 17, 2027: The Elite Race follows, covering 30km in classic technique, as well as La Sfida, a 23km race in freestyle technique. La Sfida is also classified as a Ski Classics Challengers event.
Engadin Travel Guide
- Family and spectator info: There is plenty to discover in the Upper Engadin beyond the race itself. Spectators can watch the action at various points along the course, explore the villages of St. Moritz, Pontresina and Zuoz, enjoy winter walks or take a mountain railway for spectacular views. Children born in 2007 or later can participate free of charge in all races. On race day, public transport in the Upper Engadin is included with the race number or race number voucher.
- Top 3 things to do:
- Visit the Segantini Museum in St. Moritz – Discover the works of Giovanni Segantini, one of the most important painters of the Alps. The museum houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of his works, including the famous Alpine triptych Becoming – Being – Passing. Segantini Museum https://segantini-museum.ch/
- Enjoy some wellness & recovery – After a day on the cross-country tracks, treat your legs to some well-deserved recovery. A sauna, pool or massage is the perfect way to recharge for the next race day. Ovaverva Hallenbad, Spa & Sportzentrum https://www.ovaverva.ch/en/
- Explore the historic village of Zuoz – Stroll through the charming, historic centre of Zuoz with its traditional Engadin houses, narrow streets and unique winter atmosphere. It’s also the perfect place to soak up the La Diagonela spirit, especially around the start and finish area. https://www.engadin.ch/en/guide/engadin-holiday-resorts/zuoz
- How to travel:
- For visitors travelling to Engadin La Diagonela, the most sustainable and convenient option is to fly into Zurich Airport (ZRH) and continue by public transport. The Engadin is very well connected by the Swiss railway network and the Rhaetian Railway (RhB).
By train – the recommended green option
- Best choice: Option 1) From Zurich Airport, take the train to Pontresina / Zuoz (approx. 3.5-4hours)
- The journey itself is part of the experience: the Albula railway is a UNESCO World Heritage route, with spectacular viaducts, mountain scenery and spiral tunnels.
- Both Pontresina and Zuoz have their own RhB railway stations, making them particularly easy to reach without a car.
- Option 2) From Milan Malpensa Airport → Pontresina / Zuoz: A great alternative for international visitors
- Milan is another relatively close international gateway. From Milan Malpensa Airport, you can travel by train via Milan and Tirano, then continue on the RhB towards Pontresina and the Engadin. The complete journey to Pontresina takes around 7 hours. This route is particularly attractive for visitors who want to combine their trip with the spectacular Bernina railway, another UNESCO World Heritage experience.
- Where to stay:
- We recommend staying in Zuoz (Hotel Concordia / Smart Hotel LaSenda) or Pontresina (Hotel Sunstar).
- Find the hotel that suits you best on the following website. https://www.ladiagonela.ch/ankunft-unterkunft
- Further accommodation options can be found at the following link. https://booking.engadin.ch/de/accommodations/hotels?accommodation_type=hotels&later=on
- Local specialty dish:
- Capuns – Swiss chard rolls filled with a savoury mixture of meat and herbs, a traditional speciality from Graubünden. Try them at the Restaurant Crusch Alva in Zuoz, which is located right next to the La Diagonela finish area.
- Pizzoccheri – buckwheat noodles served with potatoes, vegetables and cheese, a hearty speciality popular in the region. Try them at the Restorant Sur En in Zuoz, right next to the start of the race on Sunday.
- Plain in Pigna – a traditional Engadin potato dish, baked in the oven and often prepared with bacon or sausage.
- Engadine nut tart (Bündner Nusstorte) – a sweet pastry filled with caramelised walnuts, perfect with coffee. We recommend the Klarer Bakery in Zuoz. Also located right next to the La Diagonela finish area.
- Best-kept secret: Alp Es-cha Dadour Madulain – a true winter wonderland tucked away in the forest. Head out on a winter hike, enjoy a delicious fondue, then hike back or sled back down through the magical winter landscape.
More information about Engadin La Diagonela can be found at www.ladiagonela.ch
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Facebook: facebook.com/ladiagonela
Also Read: Ski Classics World Championship Season XVIII
Ski Classics World Championship Season XVIII (2026/2027)
• Event 1: December 11, 2026 – Bad Gastein Prologue – Austria – 1km
• Event 2: December 13, 2026 – Sportgastein Criterium – Austria – 30km
• Event 3: December 19, 2026 – Bad Gastein ITT – Austria – 7km
• Event 4: December 20, 2026 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Austria – 36km
Bad Gastein Tour (Events 1–4 of Ski Classics World Championship Season XVIII)
• Event 5: January 16, 2027 – Engadin La Diagonela – Switzerland – 55km
• Event 6: January 17, 2027 – Zuoz–St. Moritz Sprint – Switzerland – 30km
• Event 7: January 31, 2027 – Marcialonga – Italy – 70km
• Event 8: February 12, 2027 – Bedřichov Heat Sprint – Czech Republic – 1.5km
• Event 9: February 14, 2027 – Jizerská50 – Czech Republic – 50km
• Event 10: February 27, 2027 – Oxberg–Mora Sprint Women – Sweden – 30km
• Event 11: February 28, 2027 – Oxberg–Mora Sprint Men – Sweden – 30km
• Event 12: March 7, 2027 – Vasaloppet – Sweden – 90km
• Event 13: March 20, 2027 – Birkebeinerrennet – Norway – 53km
• Event 14: April 3, 2027 – Reistadløpet – Norway – 35km
• Event 15: April 4, 2027 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Norway – 60km
For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics World Championship, visit skiclassics.com.
Author: Leandro Lutz
Top Photo: Ski Classics
