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From the Ski Classics race series
Bad Gastein Classics 2026
With four races over two consecutive weekends, Bad Gastein will kick off the Ski Classics World Championship Season XVIII from December 11 to 20, 2026.
International professional athletes will compete alongside ambitious recreational cross-country skiers, turning Bad Gastein into the center of international cross-country skiing.
With four professional races, a Challenger event, Nordic Week, and an extensive supporting program, Bad Gastein will serve as an international stage for elite sports, young talent, and recreational sports over the course of ten days, combining top athletic performances with a unique winter atmosphere.
December 11–20, 2026
Program
4 Ski Classics races | 2 amateur races | Charity Race | 2 race weekends | 10-day program
1st Event Weekend | December 11–13, 2026
The first weekend will be all about new race formats and spectacular courses. The event kicks off with the Bad Gastein Vertical City Sprint in the town center, followed by the Sportgastein Criterium, a challenging hill climb awaiting the athletes in Sportgastein.
Friday, December 11
- Vertical City Sprint – A spectacular sprint race through the center of Bad Gastein
- 4:10 p.m.: Bad Gastein Vertical City Sprint– Ski Classics Prologue Live on TV
- Start at Merangarten
- On to the waterfall
- Turnaround point at Straubingerplatz
- Back up the hill to the finish line at the Silver Bullet
- Followed by: Awards ceremony and DJ battle in the finish area directly in front of the Silver Bullet
- 6:30 p.m.: Bad Gastein Vertical City Sprint for amateurs on the same course
- 4:10 p.m.: Bad Gastein Vertical City Sprint– Ski Classics Prologue Live on TV
- 7:30 p.m.: Charity Sprint by Julius Hügler
- 8:00 p.m.: “Light into the Darkness ” at the waterfall
Saturday, December 12
- All Day – Ski Classics Media in Sportgastein
- All-day – Freeheeler Testival in Sportgastein
Sunday, December 13
- 9:30 a.m. – Sportgastein Criterium – Hill Climb from Sportgastein to the Midway Station, live on TV
- Followed by – Awards ceremony
- Spectator activities and live music at the midway station
- All day – Freeheeler Testival in Sportgastein
Nordic Week | December 11–20, 2026
Alongside the races, Bad Gastein will be all about Nordic sports for ten days.
Scheduled Program Items
- Cross-Country Skiing Retreat
- Touring Camp
- Lectures and workshops on cross-country skiing, training, and health
- Kids' Day
- Opportunities to test gear and equipment
- …
2nd Event Weekend | December 19–20, 2026
The second weekend marks the sporting highlight of the event. In addition to the professional competitions , ambitious amateur athletes also have the opportunity to compete in the Ski Classics Challenger.
Saturday, December 19
- 10:00 a.m.: Bad Gastein ITT - 7 km Individual Time Trial ( Live on TV)
- Followed by – Awards Ceremony
- Followed by – Awards Ceremony
- 1:00 p.m.: Bad Gastein Ski Classics Challenger for ambitious amateur and recreational athletes (15 km & 30 km)
- Followed by – Awards Ceremony
- Followed by – Awards Ceremony
- All-day spectator program, live music, and emcee
Sunday, December 20
- 10:50 a.m.: Bad Gastein Criterium ( 36 km) – Race concludes in Sportgastein ( live on TV)
- Followed by the awards ceremony
- Followed by the awards ceremony
- All-day spectator program, live music, and commentary
Ski Classics Tour Calendar 2026:
Partner & Sponsoren
All race information
*Subject to change without notice!
Any questions?
Please send us an email at gastein.classics@gastein.com
We look forward to hearing from you!
Target Deadline
4:00 p.m.
Changes to the route
The organizer reserves the right to make changes to the route, the organizational schedule, and other program items until further notice.
In the event of changes, there is no entitlement to a refund of the entry fee.
Refund
If, for any reason, a participant does not compete in the Gastein Classics, the entry fee will not be refunded.
If the event cannot be held, or can only be held in part, due to force majeure, government orders, or other reasons beyond the organizer’s control, there is no entitlement to a refund of the entry fee.
Complaints
Complaints must be reported to the jury no later than 10 minutes after the race ends.
Media & Press Photos/Videos
Photos, video recordings, and interviews of participants taken in connection with their participation in the event may be broadcast on radio, television, social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.), print media, books, and photomechanical reproductions (films, videotapes, etc.) by the organizer without any entitlement to compensation.
Privacy Policy
The participant agrees to the electronic processing and disclosure of his or her data to the event organizer.
The personal data provided by participants during registration will be stored and processed for the purposes of organizing and conducting the event.
Liability
Participation is at your own risk. The organizer assumes no liability for property damage or personal injury. In particular, the organizer is not liable for negligence or gross negligence.
All participants are required to sign the Gastein Classics liability waiver and present it when picking up their race numbers:
Medical Care and Medical Services
Teams from the Gastein Red Cross and the Bad Gastein Mountain Rescue Service.
Emergency Medical Services & Safety
Bringer-up runners and emergency medical personnel are expressly permitted to remove from the race any participants who are in poor physical condition or show other signs of being unfit to continue.
Timekeeping
Timing is provided by Ovento Timing using transponder timing.
If a transponder is not returned or is lost , the participant in question is obligated to reimburse the organizer for the related costs—as prescribed to the organizer by the timing service provider— within 14 days of receiving a request to do so.
Clothing Drop-Off and Pick-Up
Clothing may be dropped off 1 hour before the start in the designated area using a bag marked with the corresponding race number. Dropped-off clothing can be picked up at the clothing pickup area in the finish area up to 30 minutes after the finish line closes.
Ski Storage in the Start Area
The starting area opens 45 minutes before the start for ski drop-off.
Distances
The distances are:
- 1 km
- 7 km
- 30 km
- 36 km
Race Number Pickup
Details to follow
Getting to Sportgastein
When traveling to Sportgastein, there is no toll charge on the Gastein Alpine Road during the race weekend (Sat & Sun).
We recommend traveling to Sportgastein by public transportation.
Eligibility to Compete
The minimum age for participating in the 30-kilometer classic-style races is 16.
Starting Groups
- Elite (Assignment at the organizer's discretion)
- Start Group 1 (Top 10 men/women in the 15 km race + Top 15 men/women in the 30 km race at the 2025 Gastein Classic,
- Other runners only upon prior separate request to the organizer (via email to gastein.classics@gastein.com) with proof of an active FIS code or proof of corresponding placements. Requests for placement in Start Group 1 must be submitted no later than the close of online registration on December 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Later requests will not be considered.
- Start Group 2: Ambitious Runners
- Start Group 3: Recreational Runners
Depending on your level of ambition, you can choose between Start Group 2 or 3 on your own right at the starting line.
Classification
30 km Categories:
- Youth II (Girls/Boys) 2010–2009
- Women/Men 2008–1997
- Women's I/Men's I 1996–1987
- Women-II/Men-II 1986–1977
- Women-III/Men-III 1976–1967
- Women's IV/Men's IV from 1966 onward
15 km Age Group Categories:
- Youth II W/M 2010–2009
- W/M 2008–1997
- W-I/M-I 1996–1987
- W-II/M-II 1986–1977
- Women-III/Men-III 1976–1967
- W-IV/M-IV from 1966 onward
Prize money
The total prize money for the Gastein Classics Challenger race is €2,000. 00.
Included in the entry fee
- Toll on the Gastein Alpine Road (Sat and Sun)
- Refreshments during the race
- Goodie bag
- Medical care during the race
- Race number
- Timing
- Certificate for self-printing
- Clothing bag
Registration Fee
BAD GASTEIN CLASSICS 15 KM & 30 KM
- €69 Early bird (through September 30, 2026)
- €79 Regular price (starting Oct. 1)
- €89 Late registration (starting Dec. 17, 2026)
CITY SPRINT
- Starting at €20
Included in the entry fee*:
- Drink
- Refreshments
- Free toll on the Gastein Alpine Road on weekends
- Medical care during the race
- Goodie bag
- Race number
- Timing
- Finisher’s medal
- Certificate for self-printing
- Clothing bag
*The organizer reserves the right to modify this offer at any time.
Bad Gastein Classics Friends Hotel
- Best Price
- Early Bird athlete's breakfast on race day
- Late check out on departure day
- Ski depot with boot dryer, laundry service
- Free use of cross-country ski trails and toll with accreditation
- Information material and information about the race at the hotel
Impressions 2025
The Gastein Classics are synonymous with top athletic performances against the impressive backdrop of Sportgastein. At both the Bad Gastein ITT on Saturday and the Bad Gastein Criterium on Sunday, the passion for cross-country skiing was palpable at every moment once again this year. The amateur races also provided intense and thrilling moments—captured in our photos.
The Gastein Classics Results
Setting
For the fourth time, the Sportgastein valley floor provided an impressive backdrop and ideal conditions for top-level cross-country skiing as part of the Ski Classics. A total of 30 PRO teams and around 120 amateur athletes took to the starting line on Saturday and Sunday under glorious conditions on the high-altitude trail in Sportgastein.
36-Kilometer Criterium – Fast-Paced Professional Race in Stunning Scenery
The 36-kilometer Criterium was held as a mass-start race for both women and men. The first sprint and mountain points of the season were awarded during the race.
- Men’s Race: Norwegian One-Two-Three Finish After a Thrilling Final Sprint
The men’s race—thanks in part to extremely fast conditions—turned into a breathtaking back-and-forth battle. In an extremely thrilling finish sprint, Kasper Stadaas (Team Aker Dæhlie) prevailed with a time of 1:23:15.3. He won by a narrow margin ahead of his compatriots, brothers Amund Hoel (Team Engcon) and Johan Hoel (Team Ragde Charge), who thus secured an all-Norwegian podium.
- Women’s Race: Thrilling Finale Among the Favorites
The women’s race also treated spectators to a top-class competition. In the final kilometers, a three-woman lead group broke away and battled it out for the win. In the final sprint, last season’s overall champion, Anikken Gjerde Alnæs, secured first place with a time of 1:35:52.5. Swedish Olympic champion Stina Nilsson (Team Ragde Charge) finished a close second, while Silje Øyre Slind (Team Aker Dæhlie) took third place for Norway.
The sprint and mountain classifications, spread over five laps, provided additional highlights and made the race particularly varied.
All results in detail
Team Tempo – 7 kilometers without steep climbs
In this category, where men and women are ranked together, the focus was clearly on team performance. In the end, Team Engcon—led by the two Ski Classics champions, Norwegians Anikken Gjerde Alnæs and Ole Jørgen Bruvoll—prevailed and claimed victory. Olympic champion and cross-country skiing legend Petter Northug also competed in the Pro Team Tempo. The Norwegian finished seventh with his team “Burger King Northug,” trailing by +2:26.7, and was thrilled with the conditions.
All results in detail
Gastein Classics Challenger over 15 or 30 kilometers
This race was open to both professionals and ambitious amateurs and enjoyed great popularity and strong local participation.
Full results
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all sponsors, partners, and the numerous volunteers whose tireless efforts made this event possible.
