The Moonlight Classic is just around the corner. © Armin Mayr

Before the Olympics: A treat on the Seiser Alm

Before the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics begin next weekend, a real cross-country skiing treat awaits on the Seiser Alm: This Friday, January 30th, the 18th South Tyrol Moonlight Classic Seiser Alm will take place at 20 pm. Hundreds of cross-country skiers will not miss the race under the moonlight and torchlight on Europe's largest high-altitude alpine meadow.

28 January 2026

From: pm

Following the heavy snowfalls at the beginning of this week, and those expected today, Wednesday, the Seiser Alm is resplendent in a blanket of white: "The panorama is truly perfect now," says Martina Rier from the Seiser Alm Tourist Association, adding: "Since the snowfall was forecast, it hasn't caused us any problems. The cross-country ski trails are still in excellent condition. The trail grooming team has milled in the snow from the beginning of the week and reworked the tracks; they will be touched up again on Friday. We are also in the final stages of preparations and are ready for the 18th edition of our South Tyrol Moonlight Classic Seiser Alm."

The approximately 1000 torches that will illuminate the course of the night race on the Seiser Alm can now be easily installed thanks to the amount of snow. This will happen shortly before the race begins. The starting gun is scheduled for 8 p.m., but there will already be plenty going on at the start/finish area near the Compatsch fire station from 4 p.m. onwards. The Moonlight Classic also boasts a large supporting program: "Things get underway in the heated marquee from 4 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., the musical entertainment begins with alphorn players, whip crackers, and the Alpler Plattlergitschn (a traditional Bavarian folk dance group). Live music with the rock and blues cover band Speed ​​Up is also planned in the marquee during the races," reports Rier.

Dietmar Nöckler is back after 11 years

Back to the sporting side: There's particular excitement on the Seiser Alm about the participation of a top South Tyrolean cross-country skier. Dietmar Nöckler from Bruneck, after not being selected for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, has registered for the South Tyrol Moonlight Classic Seiser Alm. He's already won it once before, back in 2015, eleven years ago. Nöckler will be a strong contender for the title again at the 18th edition on Friday, January 30th.

Dietmar Nöckler returns after 11 years. © Armin Mayr

Numerous other top athletes will also be participating. This year, the South Tyrol Moonlight Classic Seiser Alm is part of the Ski Classics Challenger series. "In particular, top Italian athletes will be there, as they regularly take part in this prestigious series," Rier is pleased to announce. The Moonlight Classic itself also carries prestige, as evidenced by the total prize money of €14.200.

These are the routes

The South Tyrol Moonlight Classic Seiser Alm offers two routes. Both start in Compatsch. The shorter 15-kilometer route leads from Ritsch back to the finish line in Compatsch. The longer 30-kilometer route takes participants from Ritsch via the Jochrunde to Goldknopf and Spitzbühl, before a steep descent back to Ritsch and then on to the finish in Compatsch. There, in addition to the aforementioned after-party, the awards ceremony will also take place.