Cascata is the first Ski Classics Iconic Climb of Season XVII

by Leandro Lutz • 22.01.2026
Marcialonga
The Iconic Climbs add an extra spark to the most challenging climbs in Ski Classics. For Season XVII, there will be four Iconic Climbs, with the first being Cascata, the final climb into Cavalese during Marcialonga this weekend. 

The Iconic Climbs add an extra spark to the most challenging climbs in Ski Classics. For Season XVII, there will be four Iconic Climbs, with the first being Cascata, the final climb into Cavalese during Marcialonga this weekend. 

The Iconic Climb category, introduced in Season XIV, is part of the Ski Classics points table and highlights the most iconic and decisive climbs of the Pro Tour.

The idea behind the Iconic Climb category is that not all climbs are equal. Some are tougher, while others carry greater historical significance. With this initiative, Ski Classics aims to increase interest around these key sections of the races and reward the strongest climbers accordingly. 

Iconic Climb points are worth 50 percent more than 100 percent Climb points. Winners receive 45 points instead of the usual 30 in the Climb competition.

For Season XVII, four Iconic Climbs are on the calendar. The first is Cascata, the final ascent into Cavalese during Marcialonga. The second Iconic Climb is Raudfjellet, the long opening climb in Birkebeinerrennet.

The third is the Orta climb in Reistadløpet, followed by the Magdaskaret climb in the Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja.

Also Read: All you need to know ahead of Marcialonga Season XVII

Iconic Climbs Season XVII

Event: Marcialonga – Ski Classics Pro Tour Event 4

  • Date: January 25, 2026
  • Climb: Cascata, from 830 to 990m above sea level. The climb is 2 kilometers long and particularly demanding, coming after 68 kilometers of racing.

Event: Birkebeinerrennet – Ski Classics Pro Tour Event 10

  • Date: March 14, 2026
  • Climb: Raudfjellet, from 300 to 880 meters above sea level, stretching over 19 kilometers. While not the steepest climb, it is often raced at a very high pace from the start.

Event: Reistadløpet – Ski Classics Pro Tour Event 12

  • Date: March 28, 2026
  • Climb: Orta, from 136 to 575 meters above sea level, 6 kilometers long, featuring several very steep sections with short flatter parts in between.

Event: Grand FinaleSummit 2 Senja – Ski Classics Pro Tour Event 13

  • Date: March 29, 2026
  • Climb: Magdaskaret, the decisive climb of the Grand Finale, once again expected to play a key role in the outcome of the race. 

Next up is Marcialonga on Sunday, January 25. The 70-kilometer classic race marks the fourth Ski Classics Pro Tour event and the first Grand Classics race of Season XVII.

Read More: Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII 2025/2026

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII (2025/2026)

Season XVII of the Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 13 events across 9 event weekends in 6 countries. 

  • Event 1: December 13, 2025 – Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
  • Event 2: December 14, 2025 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
  • Event 3: January 17, 2026 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 47km
  • Event 4: January 25, 2026 – Marcialonga – Moena-Cavalese, Italy, 70km
  • Event 5: January 30, 2026 – Bedřichov Sprint – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 1.5km
  • Event 6: February 1, 2026 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
  • Event 7: March 1, 2026 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
  • Event 8: March 7, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Women – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
  • Event 9: March 8, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Men – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
  • Event 10: March 14, 2026 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
  • Event 11: March 21, 2026 – Marcialonga Bodø – Bodø, Norway, 50km
  • Event 12: March 28, 2026 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 35km
  • Event 13: March 29, 2026 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km

For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour, make sure to visit skiclassics.com

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When you become part of one of the world’s leading XC ski communities, you will receive many exclusive offers all year round. 

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