Marcialonga of Fiemme and Fassa — Opening Ceremony in Moena

Moena, the gateway to the Marcialonga

Every year at the end of January, the town of Moena, in the heart of the Val di Fassa (Province of Trento, Trentino-Alto Adige), becomes the starting point for the Marcialonga of Fiemme and Fassa, Italy's most famous and well-attended cross-country ski granfondo. The full 70-kilometre classic technique course begins in Moena, winding through the villages of the Fiemme and Fassa valleys before reaching the finish line in Cavalese. For the Moena community, this event is much more than a race: it is a festival that involves the entire town and its local associations.

The opening ceremony at the Navalge Theatre

The inaugural event takes place at the Navalge Theatre in Moena on the eve of the race. The evening, which is free to attend, officially presents the Marcialonga edition with musical interludes, screenings, and films, culminating in the presentation of bibs to the elite athletes, the stars of the following day. The ceremony features local groups such as the Moena Municipal Band, the Enrosadira Choir, and the Ginnastica Moena sports club, all contributing to an evening of sport, culture, and tradition. By long-standing custom, the opening of the event rotates annually between the towns of the Fiemme and Fassa valleys.

The start from the Piana di Moena

On Sunday morning, the grand start takes place from the Piana di Moena: approximately seven thousand cross-country skiers, affectionately nicknamed "bisonti" (bison) by the locals, set off on the 70 km journey towards Cavalese, immersed in the silence of the snow and the majesty of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Those who prefer a shorter distance can take on the 45 km Marcialonga Light. The granfondo is part of the prestigious international Visma Ski Classics and Worldloppet circuits.

An entire weekend of events

Surrounding the main race, Moena and the valleys host an entire weekend dedicated to the Marcialonga. The Worldloppet Masters and Superstar Club Welcome Party opens the celebrations at the Navalge Theatre, followed by the official ceremony. In the days leading up to the race, side events take place: the Marcialonga Story, a re-enactment of vintage cross-country skiing, the MiniMarcialonga, the Marcialonga Baby, and the Marcialonga Young dedicated to younger participants, as well as the charity-focused Marcialonga Stars.

Tradition and the Dolomite landscape

Born in 1971 based on the model of the great Scandinavian granfondos, the Marcialonga is a symbol of Trentino sport and a permanent fixture on the international Nordic skiing calendar. The start from Moena, nestled between the peaks of San Pellegrino and Latemar, offers one of the most evocative settings of the entire route, blending high-level competition, popular tradition, and the incomparable beauty of the Dolomites.