Südtirol Moonlight Classic Seiser Alm

A night of cross-country skiing under the Dolomite stars

The Südtirol Moonlight Classic Seiser Alm is one of the most evocative winter events in South Tyrol. Every year, in late January or early February, the Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm)—the largest high-altitude alpine pasture in Europe, located in the municipality of Castelrotto (Kastelruth) in the province of Bolzano—transforms into a natural stage illuminated by about a thousand torches. At 8:00 PM, skiers start from Compaccio (Compatsch) for a race run entirely at night, with the peaks of the Sciliar and Sassolungo acting as a stunning backdrop.

Two classic technique routes

The competition, reserved exclusively for classic technique, offers two distances:

• 15 km - a short route from Compaccio towards Ritsch and back;
• 30 km - a long route that continues from Ritsch towards Giogo, Punta d'Oro, and Spitzbühl before returning to the finish line in Compaccio.

The mass start, with participants launching into the darkness guided by torchlight, creates one of the most iconic winter scenes in South Tyrol.

Part of the international Ski Classics circuit

The Moonlight Classic is part of the prestigious Ski Classics Challengers circuit and is linked to the Worldloppet, Euroloppet, and Dolomiti Nordicski networks. This makes it a crossroads between elite sport and popular participation: world-class champions and enthusiasts from all over Europe compete on the same track. Over the years, the event has hosted leading names in international cross-country skiing.

More than just a race: the Alpine festival

The evening is lively from the afternoon in the start/finish area, featuring a heated marquee, traditional entertainment (alpine horns, whip crackers, folk groups), and live music. Spectators can reach the plateau for free via cable car to watch the start, then stay for the after-party and awards ceremony. The event involves over a hundred volunteers and donates part of the proceeds to support youth sports in South Tyrol.

A signature event of South Tyrol

Organized by the Alpe di Siusi Tourist Association (Tourismusverein Seiser Alm), the Moonlight Classic is now a symbol of winter sports tourism in the Trentino-Alto Adige region. It combines the tradition of Nordic skiing, the natural setting of the Dolomites—a UNESCO World Heritage site—and South Tyrolean hospitality in a night that attracts athletes and spectators from across the continent.