Val Gardena and the Art of Alpine Speed
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al Gardena’s Dolomite amphitheater was aglow in December, as the world’s ski elite gathered for the Audi FIS Ski World Cup at the legendary Saslong slope. Framed by snow-dusted firs and twinkling village lights, the scene evoked that special feeling in the air which comes right before Christmas. The Saslong’s famed camel-hump jumps and undulating profile, among World Cup racing’s most beautiful and storied tracks, provided a dramatic prologue to the weekend. Amid this Alpine pageant, centuries-old local customs were also on full display: Ortisei’s festive Christmas market featured Ladin woodcarving artisans and boutique stalls blending historical traditions with the elegance and exclusivity of seasonal gifts.
Odermatt’s 50th World Cup Win
On Thursday Val Gardena staged a new sprint-format downhill that became an early showcase of Swiss domination and Italian passion. Marco Odermatt once again delivered on the Saslong, roaring down the shortened course to win the sprint downhill and record the 50th World Cup victory of his career. He edged teammate Franjo von Allmen by a mere 0.15 seconds for a Swiss one-two, while Italy’s hometown hero Dominik Paris thrilled the partisan crowd by clinching third place. The combination of high-speed thrills and après-ski revelry set an exuberant tone for the season.
Super-G
Friday’s super-G brought perhaps the weekend’s most astonishing result. Czech veteran Jan Zabystran carved a near-perfect descent to claim his first World Cup title, a historic breakthrough that gave the Czech Republic its first win in men’s Alpine World Cup history. Starting with a high bib number, Zabystran attacked every pitch and held off a charging Marco Odermatt, finishing 0.22 seconds ahead of the Swiss legend. Italy’s promising young Giovanni Franzoni then delighted the partisan crowd by grabbing third place. Val Gardena’s lore as a home of unexpected heroes was thoroughly upheld.
Franjo von Allmen Conquers the Camel Humps
Under Saturday’s crisp blue sky, the Saslong Classic downhill, the centerpiece of Val Gardena’s race week, delivered a stirring Swiss victory. Franjo von Allmen, Switzerland’s reigning downhill world champion, pushed the limits from the very top gate and held on to win the classic by 0.30 seconds over teammate Marco Odermatt. Von Allmen’s fearless line through the infamous Camel Humps and the sweeping Ciaslat section earned him the margin, and Italy’s Florian Schieder thrilled the partisan crowd by claiming the final podium spot. By afternoon, Swiss speed reigned supreme on the Saslong once again.
Odermatt Claims the Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy
With one win and two seconds, he was crowned the winner of the Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy for the second year running. Runner-up for the week was Franjo von Allmen, with Italy’s breakout star Giovanni Franzoni and France’s Nils Allègre completing the top five in the special standings. Among the local heroes, Dominik Paris of Ultimo was the leading South Tyrolean with 106 points, underscoring the pride of the host region in this iconic event.
Tradition, Festivity, and Alpine Elegance
Beyond the racing lines, Val Gardena radiated a unique blend of heritage and luxury throughout the weekend. Ortisei and Selva were transformed into living Christmas postcards: crowds strolled candlelit markets where handcrafted wooden nativity scenes and plush cashmere shawls vied for attention, and high-end boutiques displayed the valley’s famed Ladin crafts. Villagers in traditional costume mingled with international guests in the SasLounge and cozy mountain taverns, where gourmet Tyrolean and Italian cuisine met live music and dancing as victories were toasted under velvet Alpine skies. The Saslong Classic thus became as much a cultural festival as a race.
In the end, the 58th Saslong Classic reaffirmed itself as one of skiing’s most culturally resonant events. The champions, Odermatt, von Allmen and Zabystran, delivered world-class drama on snow, while the host valley showcased its heritage, elegance and holiday cheer all around them. As Val Gardena’s own tourism bureau notes, there truly is no place like the Dolomites in December: nowhere else can one live the excitement of the advent period amidst such alpine splendor. For a global audience of tastemakers and aficionados, the Saslong proved once more that alpine tradition and alpine luxury move in sync, a festive testament to speed, style and storied herit
