A Strong Start to Worldloppet Season

Lumi guest Marcia celebrating a strong Dolomitenlauf race

The 2023 Worldloppet Season is upon us! Sure, the Vasaloppet China kicked off January 4, but that event was not open to international skiers. The start of the European Worldloppet season is the Dolomitenlauf this weekend in Obertilliach, Austria…

Austria’s Worldloppet race is in East Tyrol, close to the border with Italy. The official host city is Lienz, but due to marginal snow conditions in recent decades, the event is typically held in the mountain village of Obertilliach. This year, race organizers just confirmed that both the skate and classic events will be held in Obertilliach. Saturday features a 42 or 21 km freestyle race. Sunday is a 42 or 21 km classic race, essentially on the same course.

The professional biathlon range in Obertilliach.

Obertilliach is a small village with a population of under 800 (and you thought Hayward was small?!). In the grand scheme of Worldloppet events, the Dolomitenlauf is relatively small. If you are into smaller races with minimal logistics, this is your event. The race starts and finishes in the biathlon stadium (Obertilliach is a popular stop on the IBU Cup biathlon circuit), making the logistics for this event especially easy … no baggage transport or shuttles from start to finish.

Classic skier double-polling in Obertilliach’s stellar conditions

The course is 2 x 21km loops, basically running down, then back up the valley. As a citizen racer, the course is fun because you can see the elite racers as they go up the other side of the river. The trail is relatively open and winds through scenic huts used to dry hay in the summer. If you think you recognize one of the huts, it’s probably because you saw a plane fly through it in the James Bond movie Spectre.

Lumi guest John with trip leader Raphi before the Dolomitenlauf Worldloppet

By the time you reach the finish, Obertilliach’s marching band welcomes racers into the finish with traditional Tyrolean tunes and trachten (attire). That Austrian beer will sure taste good after your accomplishment.

Why ski the Dolomitenlauf with Lumi Experiences? Well, besides the local trip leaders, race waxing and friends to raise a beer with when you cross the finish, one of the highlights of the Dolomitenlauf weekend is learning how schnapps is produced in the cave of our favorite distillery. Prost!

Bottles of schnapps, each made with different local ingredients, line the shelves at our favorite distillery

We’d love to host you on the trip next year. Reach out for our detailed trip itinerary or to sign up: info@lumiexperiences.com.

We are offering an early booking discount of $300 for all reservations before March 31. As an official Tour Operator of the Marcialonga, we are also excited to offer guaranteed entry into the Marcialonga … one of the fastest filling Worldloppet events. Reach out soon, as this trip is one of our first to fill.

See you on the trail soon!
Garrott

Founder & Olympian
Cross Country Ski Vacations