Südtirol Gardenissima KIDS

The Gardenissima for the little ones

The Südtirol Gardenissima KIDS is a ski race dedicated to children and teenagers that runs alongside the famous Südtirol Gardenissima, widely known as the world's longest giant slalom. It takes place every year in late March on the Seceda slopes, within the municipality of Selva di Val Gardena/Wolkenstein in Gröden, in the province of Bolzano, in the heart of the Trentino-Alto Adige region. Organized by the Selva Val Gardena Tourist Association, the event was launched in 2016 as a natural extension of the adult race, specifically designed for young alpine skiing enthusiasts.

The course and categories

Young competitors tackle a course of approximately 1.9 kilometers, with a vertical drop of several hundred meters, starting from the summit of Seceda and finishing at the Fermeda chairlift valley station. As in the adult race, the start takes place in pairs on two parallel giant slalom tracks, which merge into a single course further down. Children and teenagers aged 7 to 14 can participate, divided into various age categories (superbaby, baby, cuccioli, ragazzi, and allievi), both male and female. Helmets are mandatory, and mountain rescue and medical staff are stationed along the course.

A celebration for the next generation

Every year, Gardenissima KIDS attracts hundreds of young athletes from a dozen different nations, offering them the thrill of racing on the same terrain as the champions. Each child receives a welcome kit with small surprises related to skiing and healthy living, while the awards ceremony is held immediately after the race, often attended by rising stars of alpine skiing. It is the perfect opportunity for Val Gardena to introduce children to mountain sports in a festive and friendly atmosphere.

Skiing and mountains in the heart of the Dolomites

The setting is defined by the spires of Seceda and the peaks of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which frame an event that blends sport, alpine tradition, and South Tyrolean hospitality. Together with the adult race, Gardenissima KIDS brings the last weekend of March to life in Selva di Val Gardena, turning the Seceda slopes into a massive ski festival for families and young skiers. For children from the Bolzano province and young enthusiasts traveling from all over Europe, it is an unmissable date on the winter calendar.