WINTERSPORTS EVENTS

Our UNESCO-protected mountain landscapes provide a stunning backdrop to every event, and they’re backed by cutting-edge lift and snow-making systems, as well as highly-motivated teams of volunteers.

The highlight of our Alpine skiing season is the 3Tre in Madonna di Campiglio, just before Christmas, which sees the stars of the FIS World Cup slalom circuit compete on the plunging Canalone Miramonti course. But there are many other thrilling events to look forward to, across a broad range of disciplines. On December 14, for example, the Snowboard World Cup comes to Val di Fassa, while on January 12-14, the Nordic Combined World Cup will be held in the Val di Fiemme.

Perhaps the most spectacular race of all will be the Ski Mountaineering World Cup on April 7-8, which threads its way through the towering cliffs of the Brenta Dolomites. It’ll be a fitting climax to a winter full of skill, athleticism and courage.

3Tre World Cup Slalom, Madonna di Campiglio: December 22

A dazzling floodlit race on Monte Pancugolo, the 3Tre has showcased the talents of many of the greats. Swedish slalom star Ingemar Stenmark notched up the first of his 86 World Cup wins here in 1974, while Italian icon Alberto Tomba won the race three times. Zeno Colò, Karl Schranz and Bode Miller are among the other FIS heroes to have made their mark on the steep and technical Regina delle Nevi course.

Now the 3Tre has a new star: Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen, who notched up back-to-back victories in 2015 and 2016. Could 2017 see his hat-trick? Or will Manfred Moelgg be the first Italian to win here since Giorgio Rocca in 2005? Whatever the result, the night of December 22 will be marked by some extraordinary displays of skiing, as well a party atmosphere in the elegant bars and restaurants immediately beneath the Canalone Miramonti slope. It’ll be the perfect start to Christmas.

Europa Cup, Andalo and Pozza di Fassa: December 14-18

The 3Tre isn’t the only significant ski race this December. Six nights beforehand, the men of the Europa Cup slalom circuit will be racing on another plunging, floodlit course – at the Aloch Ski Stadium in Pozza di Fassa. Meanwhile, the women’s Europa Cup racers will be Trentino four days beforehand, for two giant slalom races, on the Olimpionica 2 slope. 

Snowboard World Cup, Passo Carezza: December 14

It’s not just skiers who are heading to the Val di Fassa in mid-December. December 14 also sees the world’s best snowboard racers compete in the valley, on the sunny Pra dei Tori slope at Passo Carezza. Here, both men’s and women’s parallel giant slalom races will be held in a laid-back event that features fireworks and live music. 

The Queen of Snowshoeing, Val di Non: January 6

In Trentino they have their own word for snowshoes, Le Ciaspole. It’s an indispensable piece of kit in a valley where winter can last four or five months. To honour its role in local life, they hold a race on January 6 each year - La Ciaspolada - which has grown into Italy’s most famous snowshoe event. 2018 will be the 45th edition, and as usual 6,000 competitors and spectators are expected. Not all will be running flat out. It’s an important gathering for the community too, with lots of families taking part, many in fancy dress.

FIS Tour de Ski, Val di Fiemme: January 6-7

January is a busy month for Nordic skiers in Trentino. The first event is the Tour de Ski, which kicks off in Lenzerheide in Switzerland on December 30, and follows a format broadly similar to the Tour de France. Gruelling races take place on a daily basis, and culminate in a final weekend in the Val di Fiemme.  On Saturday January 6, mass start races (10km for women, 15km for men) will be held at the Lago di Tesero cross-country stadium. These will be followed on Sunday January 7 by the pursuit, which finishes with a dramatic and exhausting climb of the Olimpia piste on the Alpe Cermis, overlooking the town of Cavalese.

Nordic Combined World Cup, Val di Fiemme: January 12-14

A week after the Tour de Ski, the Lago di Tesero stadium will once again be the scene of world-class cross-country skiing. This time, it’s the turn of Nordic Combined World Cup, with competitors shuttling between the Lago di Tesero and the Jump Stadium at Predazzo.

The 45th Marcialonga, Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa: January 28

The month bows out with one of Europe’s biggest cross-country marathons, the 45th Marcialonga, which traces a 70km course along the bottom of the Val di Fiemme and the Val di Fassa. It starts at Moena, before climbing to Canazei, and then descending to the historic town of Cavalese, via Molina. 7,000 competitors take part in the race, which is part of the FIS Marathon Cup. Places are snapped up months in advance.

The Sportiva Epic Ski Tour, Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa: March 8-11

In March, Alpe Cermis, the Passo San Pellegrino and Pordoi above Canazei will be the scene of three ultra-fast ski-touring ascents during the 2nd edition of the Sportiva Epic Ski Tour. The three-stage event has been designed by Jürg Capol, Marketing Director of Fise and inventor of the Tour de Ski, and attracts both athletes and enthusiasts.

Ski Alp Race Dolomiti di Brenta, Madonna di Campiglio: April 7-8

The western wall of the Brenta Dolomites provides a stunning backdrop to the pistes of Madonna di Campiglio. But as they marvel at the view, few skiers realize that it’s also the setting for an extraordinary race. At the end of each season, the Ski Mountaineering World Cup comes to town, and some of the fittest human beings on the planet ski-tour through this dramatic landscape - virtually running up many sections of the course, before skiing back down through tight and testing couloirs. Last year’s winner, 19 year old sensation Davide Magnini, completed the 16km course in just under 1hr 26mins.

Info: visittrentino.info/sports-events