Organizing committee heads among themselves: Val Gardena's Rainer Senoner (left) and Alta Badia's Andy Varallo (right) © Mattia Davare

VIDEO | Val Gardena and Alta Badia: Double the celebrations!

If the organizers in Val Gardena and Alta Badia had their way, the Ski World Cup races could already take place this weekend. But ski fans will have to wait a while longer before Odermatt, Paris, Braathen & Co. race down the Saslong and the Gran Risa. The organizers of the two classic races presented their highlights on Thursday at the Gustelier in Bolzano.

27 November 2025

From: pm/fop

It's a unique feature that sets South Tyrol apart as a ski destination. From December 19th to 22nd, all four individual disciplines—the Super-G (19th) and Downhill (20th) in Val Gardena, and the Giant Slalom (21st) and Slalom (22nd) in Alta Badia—will be contested, including those in which medals are also contested at the World Championships. This is a special feature that no other ski region in the world can boast. A highlight just before Christmas that captivates thousands of ski fans on-site and millions more watching at home on television year after year. A highlight that offers plenty to celebrate this year.

Alta Badia is celebrating its 40th anniversary this season. "Since 1985, Alta Badia has been one of the most prestigious and eagerly anticipated stages of the Ski World Cup. Every year, we work hard to offer top-quality events and focus on continuous improvement. This year, the weather has been on our side. The racecourse is already ready. We're looking forward to a great winter season," said Organizing Committee President Andy Varallo.

To celebrate the anniversary, a photo exhibition has been set up in the ski resort: 20 pictures, placed along some of Alta Badia's most beautiful slopes, tell the story, the emotions, and the protagonists of the Gran Risa piste. They are a tribute to photographer Freddy Planinschek, who has documented the event since its inception.

A dream come true

And one of these stories belongs to Roberto Erlacher. The former top-level skier from Alta Badia had the privilege of standing on the podium at the very first giant slalom on the Gran Risa. He spoke about this time on Thursday. "For me, the World Cup in Alta Badia represents a dream I had as a child. When I was 10 years old, Ingemar Stenmark came to train on the Gran Risa, and together with two friends, we secretly snuck onto the slope to see him up close. Back then, I dreamed of perhaps one day becoming a professional skier. I was fortunate enough to realize this dream and stand on the podium with Stenmark at the very first edition."

Roberto Erlacher told interesting anecdotes. © Pierre Teyssot / Pierre Teyssot

Preparations are already underway in Val Gardena for the 2031 Ski World Championships. With the completion of the "La Ciampinoi" slope, where the technical disciplines will be held, and the transfer of the World Championship rights from the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) to the Saslong Classic Club, significant progress has been made in recent weeks and months. However, the current focus is on the World Cup, which in three weeks will set up camp for the 58th time at the foot of the Sassolungo mountain, further cementing Val Gardena's reputation as a classic event.

Anniversary and World Cup preview

“Our preparations are already very far advanced, not only in terms of organization but also regarding the course. Here, I would especially like to thank Saslong SpA, who once again spared no expense or effort. We are, of course, very excited to see who will be competing in our race this year, especially since it's one of the last downhill races before the Olympics. We are particularly looking forward to the return of Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, who is expected to make his comeback in North America and will then also be competing on the Saslong,” said Organizing Committee President Rainer Senoner.

"I'm looking forward to being back with you soon." Aleksander Aamodt Kilde

Kilde, who was mentioned earlier, was also present at the media event – ​​at least virtually. A video interview with the Norwegian, who has won the downhill three times and the Super-G twice in Val Gardena, was recently recorded and played during the press conference. "I'm incredibly excited to be back at this special place, where I celebrated my very first podium finish in 2015, only being beaten by my teammates (Aksel Lund Svindal and Kjetil Jansrud). Everything here is just perfect: the slopes, the snow, the people, the great food – I'm looking forward to being back with you all soon," said the 33-year-old.

Kilde is not only the most successful active athlete on the Saslong. He has won the Dolomites Val Gardena Ski Trophy special prize four times (2022, 2020, 2018 and 2017), which will again be awarded this year to the athlete who collects the most World Cup points in Val Gardena.

The winner will receive an extra €5000 prize, a 3D wooden bust, and a short break in Val Gardena. The top three finishers in both the downhill and Super-G races will each receive a handcrafted trophy made from Val Gardena wood and rock from the Sassolungo mountain. With these trophies, created by artist Daniele Basso, Alta Badia honors and expresses its gratitude to the community and the region. "It's a mirrored steel disc, created for the 40th anniversary using micro-laser technology, combining analog and digital elements. It traces the course of the legendary Gran Risa piste, where the competition takes place and where the 'Giant' stands, a symbol of the Dolomites since 2015," explains the artist.