The Gran Fondo Val Casies, with its unique spectacle of competition and breathtaking landscapes, has been offering participants the thrill of a major event for over forty years, testing the endurance of Italian and foreign champions and amateurs along the routes and climbs of the valley. It may not be the third weekend in February, but the legendary Gran Fondo Val Casies is ready to take centre stage in this unusual Olympic year with the famous South Tyrolean ski marathon, which will hold its 42nd edition on the weekend of 28 February and 1 March. Every year, it offers its beloved format to cross-country skiers from Italy and around the world who flock to the valley and return home with unique memories and emotions. The programme remains the same as that beloved by regulars of the competition: it begins on Saturday 28 February with the classic technique race covering 30 or 42 km, starting and finishing in S. Martino in the beautiful Casies Valley, and continues on Sunday 1 March with the free technique race on the same route, which passes through Tesido and Colle before reaching the iconic Santa Maddalena climb in its longest version. For those who want to experience the excitement of the Gran Fondo without the pressure of competition, the South Tyrolean organisation allows you to register for Just for Fun, an event without rankings or times, for a classic or skating race. As every year, cross-country skiers and enthusiasts can count on the professionalism and decades of experience of the organising committee led by Walter Felderer, who is keen to point out that: ‘we are continuing with our work as usual, planning the various aspects of the race in advance and with dedication, aiming once again in 2026 for an international, high-quality event’, for two days on the snow that promise to be unforgettable.