Obertilliach, a village of 663 residents in the Tiroler Gailtal valley between the Carnic Ridge and the Lienzer Dolomiten, is known for its tranquility and unspoiled charm almost all year round. But once a season, this tranquil mountain village attracts more than 2,000 athletes from all over the world.
On January 18 and 19, 2025, Obertilliach will once again be the center of attention for Austria’s largest cross-country skiing event: Under the motto“Everyone is a winner over themselves,”Olympic champions, world champions, and professional athletes, as well as die-hard amateur athletes, will take on the challenge over 21 or 42 kilometers in the classic and freestyle cross-country skiing disciplines.
Beginners or those who are less fit can get a taste of competition at the Easyrace over five kilometers . “Whether for pros, amateurs, or recreational athletes—we offer the right race with the appropriate athletic challenge for every skill level, every taste, and every age. And all against an impressive natural backdrop!” That’s how LRC organizer and TVB Osttirol chairman Franz Theurl describes the popular event.
At over 1,450 meters above sea level, the quaint mountain village of Obertilliach is the highest-altitude town in Osttirol’s Gail Valley, and thanks to its infrastructure and its own biathlon center, it has long been a training mecca for Nordic skiers from all over the world. Thanks to snowmaking systems and snow farming, top athletes and national teams can begin preparing for the season at this training center as early as mid-November.
The Worldloppet Ski Federation, the international federation for cross-country skiing marathons, was founded in June 1978 in Uppsala, Sweden. Its goal is to promote and establish cross-country skiing worldwide. Each member country is represented by its most significant race. Since its founding, the Osttirol Dolomitenlauf, organized by the Lienz Cross-Country Skiing and Cycling Club, has also been part of this renowned series. Participation in a Worldloppet race is considered an outstanding athletic achievement and is recorded and stamped in the participant’s personal Worldloppet passport.
Registration for the 2025 Dolomitenlauf is already open; the deadline for online registration is January 15, 2025. The entry fee for early birds is €87.00 (21 km) and €108.00 (42 km).
For more information on prices and the program, visit www.dolomitensport.at
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