Autumn has just begun, but cross-country skiing knows no stopping. All eyes are already on the major winter events, and among the majestic peaks of Trentino, Val di Fiemme is preparing to play a leading role once again.

First up is the adrenaline rush of the Tour de Ski, with the finals on January 3 and 4 that will inflame the Lago di Tesero track and the legendary ascent of the Alpe Cermis, in the heart of the Trentino’s Dolomites. Then it will be the turn of the Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games, where cross-country skiing will be the first discipline to start and will officially kick off the Olympic Games on February 7, always in Lago di Tesero, with the women's skiathlon competition.

Val di Fiemme is the only venue to have hosted every Tour de Ski edition, and this special 20th anniversary will be no exception, with the world's best cross-country skiers competing in the iconic Final Climb stage on Alpe Cermis to win the crystal trophy, which awards not only a generous prize money but also crucial points for the World Cup.

The programme begins on Saturday, January 3, when the Cross-Country Stadium of Lago di Tesero will be the centre stage of the tried and tested sprint format in classic technique on a track that has been renovated in preparation for the Milano Cortina 2026 appointment. Therefore, it will be a real test event and another reason for sprinters to participate in the Tour in the Olympic season.

On Sunday, January 4, the 20th Tour de Ski will come to an end with the 10 km Mass Start in free technique, where all eyes will be on the spectacular and exciting Final Climb, the ascent along the Olimpia III alpine ski slope of Alpe Cermis in Cavalese, at the end of which the winners will be crowned.

As always, the double final event will be accompanied by entertainment and, above all, celebrations for the Tour's 20th anniversary. With the Olympic preparations underway at the Cross-Country Stadium in Lago di Tesero, there will not be the usual party tent and entertainment activities, but the festive atmosphere will continue on the Alpe Cermis climb with the Tour del Gusto and the VIP Hospitality Lounge.

Before the Val di Fiemme stage, Toblach will play host to the Tour de Ski, with the first competitions of the event scheduled from December 28 to January 1, followed by a day of rest and then everyone back on the track on January 3 and 4 in Val di Fiemme. It is still too early to talk about favourites and likely protagonists, but the first indications will come from the early days of the World Cup, which will begin at the end of November in Ruka, Finland, and end on March 22 in Lake Placid, United States.

In this period, athletes are completing their physical preparation for one of the most intense winters of always. Among them is Federico Pellegrino, two-time Olympic silver medallist and one of the strongest Italian cross-country skiers ever, who had a great Tour de Ski last season, finishing in 4th place, just a few points off the podium.

According to the calendar, there are almost three months to go until the 20th Tour de Ski, but the Nordic Ski Val di Fiemme organising committee, led by president Pietro De Godenz, and the numerous volunteers are already working to make the 20th anniversary an event not to be missed.

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