The longest giant slalom in the Dolomites marks the end of the winter season in the Val Gardena ski area – a fitting finale
Image gallery: Südtirol Gardenissima
The course of the Südtirol Gardenissima is a spectacular six kilometres long, bringing hobby and professional skiers to the Val Gardena Skiing Area for three decades. It is the final weeks of the ski season when they take to the start line to get from the heights of Seceda in the Dolomites to the valley station of the Col Raiser Cable Car near Selva Gardena. Between them lie more than 1,000 metres of altitude difference, 115 gates and an adventurous race for every second.
The number of participants (aged 16 and over) is limited to 650, with a further 50 bibs allocated as charity entries. The Südtirol Gardenissima weekend is now spread over three days and includes the main race, the Ski Test and the Afterrace Party as well as the Südtirol Gardenissima Kids, a promotional competition for children. The competition covers a third of the original course - 1.9 kilometres - and takes young skiers in the "Superbaby", "Baby", "Cuccioli", "Ragazzi" and "Allievi" categories from the Seceda alpine pasture to the Fermeda valley station.
As Val Gardena and the sport of skiing are closely linked, the world-renowned ski area is also the venue for other events such as the Saslong Classic - Ski World Cup and Rock the Dolomites - Val Gardena Music Festival, which ends on the day the Gardenissima begins.
