27th Südtirol Gardenissima 2025, Val Gardena Ready For World's Longest Giant Slalom

On Saturday, March 29, 2025, top athletes will once again compete against ski legends and amateurs on the six-kilometer-long course.

The Südtirol Gardenissima is all about sport, competition, fun, emotions, and challenges, as it is the longest giant slalom in the world. This event has become a well-established tradition in the sports calendar of Val Gardena and will be held for the 27th time this year. It marks the final highlight of the ski season, although the lifts in Val Gardena will remain open until April 6.

The Südtirol Gardenissima spans an impressive 6 km, offering a unique opportunity to compete against the times of top active athletes and legendary ski champions. Among the well-known names in the men’s category are Dominik Paris, Christof Innerhofer, Florian Schieder, Daniel Hemetsberger, Miha Hrobat, and Manuel Traninger, while the women’s category features Nicol and Nadia Delago, Vicky Bernardi, Sara Thaler, Christina Ager, Victoria Olivier, Fabiana Dorigo, and Kiara Derks, among others.

Some of the legendary skiers participating include Kristian Ghedina, Carlo Janka, Paola Magoni, Obermoser Klement Brigitte, Verena Stuffer, and more.

One of the unique aspects of this event is the extraordinary opportunity for both participants and spectators to meet World Cup athletes and ski legends up close—and even compete against them in this one-of-a-kind race! 

As usual, the race will take place on Saturday, March 29. 700 skiers from 24 different countries will gather at the Col Raiser cable car to take on the challenge: 115 gates and a vertical drop of over 1,000 meters.

Since 1997, the Südtirol Gardenissima has been recognized as the most spectacular and longest giant slalom race in the world—a true cult event for ski enthusiasts.

The course runs across the sunny Seceda, offering a breathtaking panorama. The start is located at 2,518 meters above sea level, right beneath the majestic Odle peaks. In the first 1,500 meters, two skiers compete in an exciting parallel race before the two tracks merge into one, leading them to the finish line at 1,485 meters, at the Col Raiser cable car valley station in Selva di Val Gardena.

The race program begins with a course inspection at 6:15 AM, while the official race start is scheduled for 7:30 AM. Thanks to a livestream, the event will be broadcast worldwide, alternating between thrilling runs and spectacular scenes, as well as interviews with the stars at the start and finish lines.

During the autograph session at the race bib distribution, fans will have the unique opportunity to meet the athletes, collect autographs, and take photos with them. This event will take place on Friday, March 28, from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, at Selva, Casa Culturale Pitla Sala (1st floor).

Additionally, all participants will have the chance to test the latest ski models for the upcoming season on a timed test track at the Curona slope, near the Südtirol Gardenissima racecourse. The ski test will be held on Thursday, March 27, Friday, March 28, and Saturday, March 29, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The most prestigious ski brands will be present, offering an exclusive experience for both enthusiasts and professionals.

The award ceremony is scheduled for 3:00 PM at the Gardenissima finish area at Col Raiser.

To wrap up the event, the AFTER RACE PARTY featuring the Dorfrocker and Matty Valentino will take place on Saturday, March 29, from 4:00 PM to 11:59 PM, at Col da Mulin Bridge – Après-Ski La Stua.

On Sunday, March 30, the spotlight will be on the young talents: The 10th edition of the Gardenissima Kids will see young ski prodigies compete on a 1.9 km-long course. The race will start at Seceda, as usual, while the finish line will be at the Fermeda chairlift valley station. The competition kicks off at 8:30 AM, when 300 young athletes from 12 countries will face a challenging slalom with a vertical drop of 463 meters. After the race, medals and prizes will be awarded to the young racers, and ski stars will be available for autographs and photos.