The children beam in the sunshine.

More than 700 ski kids at Rosskopf

An unforgettable ski weekend lies behind us in Sterzing: In brilliant sunshine and perfect slope conditions, the third edition of "SKIDS – The Snow Festival" took place on the Monte Cavallo. Over 700 children from several nations participated, transforming the ski area into a colorful, energetic winter sports festival.

07 April 2025

From: pm

The major international ski festival kicked off on Friday with training runs in the morning and the traditional procession of the participating clubs into the town center of Vipiteno. This year's Style Award by Energia Pura, the award for the best appearance, went to TSV Tutzing from Bavaria, which received self-designed racing suits and a shopping voucher. The sporting highlight followed on Saturday: the SKIDS race, held on a special course designed by Christian Polig, coach of the WSV Vipiteno – no ordinary giant slalom, but a varied race with several special features.

The young athletes demonstrated not only sporting ambition and technique, but also a genuine love of skiing. The result: exciting races, a thrilling atmosphere, and many smiling faces. A varied entertainment program followed. The pasta party in the town square and the "High5 Games" in the gymnasium provided action off the slopes. A particular highlight was the tug-of-war in the town square, which required team spirit, strength, and concentration. The Sciclub 18 club from Cortina proved its resilience and won the competition – and was rewarded with a special summer team day in Sterzing, including factory tours of Leitner, Demaclenko, and Prinoth, and rides on the summer toboggan run on the Monte Cavallo. Not only the ski kids competed in the tug-of-war, but also Manfred Mölgg, testimonial of the festival, and World Cup athlete Sam Maes, who supported the children with tips and tricks for two days.

Strong South Tyrol – but not only

At the awards ceremony on Saturday evening, the best skiers were honored with special prizes. Winners in the various age categories included Hannah Rainer from ASV Ridnaun, Samuel Hofer from ASV Völs am Schlern, Lodovica Di Gallo from Sci Club Cortina, Mattia Santin from Dolomiti Cadore, Paula Leitenbauer from SC Mittenwald, Gabriel Mantinger from ASV Villnöss, Lea Smejkal from TSV Tutzing, and Jacopo Zardini from Sci Club Druscié. As a special prize, the top five in each category can look forward to a two-day ski camp at the Hotel Schneeberg Family & Spa Resort with World Cup athletes next winter. An exciting team parallel slalom rounded off the festival on Sunday. The Mittenwald club took home the win, with the main prize being a trip to the World Cup race in Alta Badia, including a behind-the-scenes look. Sci Club Cortina secured the overall club ranking, ahead of Sci Club 70 ASD (Friuli) and TSV Tutzing (Bavaria). The winning club will be looking forward to a two-day team day as part of the Kronplatz Ski World Cup, including training sessions and a look behind the scenes.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree

What was once the legendary Fila Sprint race for their parents is now "SKIDS – The Snow Festival" for the next generation. Pia and Samuel Hofer, children of giant slalom icon Denise Karbon, were also at the starting line, as were Niklas Staudacher, son of Super-G World Champion Patrick Staudacher, and Anouk Greta Maze Massi, daughter of overall World Cup winner Tina Maze. The latter won the Völkl Race Tiger Award as the youngest and fastest participant in her category. "Only the wind on Sunday cost us a few extra nerves – but we handled that well too. It was a wonderful event, where we were surrounded by the joyful laughter of children for three days," says Sabrina Tavella from the organizing team. A big thank you goes to all the supporters, the ski schools, the Outdoor Center Sterzing, all the volunteers, and the sponsors who made the SKIDS Festival possible.