Join AXCS
2026 Masters World Cup -- Sappada, Italy
Basic AXCS Trip Dates: Arrive to Venice on Wednesday, January 28 — Depart from Venice on Friday, February 6 but there are a lot of ways to customize these dates!
To see the latest Info and Updates for Team USA skiers, please also visit the Team USA Info and Updates page.
Reservations can only be made by current AXCS members. If you are interested in joining us for this fantastic trip and are not currently an AXCS member, email us and we will have a special membership offer for brand new members going to the MWC2026.
Contact AXCS by email (axcs at xcskiworld dot com) to get started on your options for this amazing trip.
************
Forget two-for-one, this is a ski vacation that can check off an entire page of your personal bucket list! Perched on both sides of a shallow mountain pass framed in every direction by the spectacular Dolomites, lies two charming Italian mountain villages — Sappada and Forni Avoltri — hosts for the 2026 Masters World Cup.
After the tragic cancellation of the ill-fated Cogne, Italy MWC2020 due to the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the World Masters Association and skiers around the world have been itching to get back to Italian snow. There absolutely could never be a better time than the week prior to the opening of the 2026 Milan/Cortina Winter Olympics!
Let’s start with the recommended international gateway — none other than Venice/ITA baby. Yep, it doesn’t get any easier than this to tag on a day (or several) in Venice at the beginning or end of your MWC trip.
Sappada/Forni Avoltri is around a 2.5 hour bus drive due north of Venice right in the heart of the most northeastern Italian Dolomites. Let’s just say the word “spectacular” barely does justice to the incredible natural beauty of this area. Sheer cliffs rise up from the villages and ski trails with the occasional waterfall peaking out amongst the forests. You have to see it to believe it folks.
In addition to the jaw-dropping scenery, you then have to factor in all that comes with an Italian ski holiday. Incredible food/wine, non-XC winter fun, the famous Italian hospitality, a couple thousand years of living history everywhere you turn — the list is pretty much endless.
To put a magical cherry on the sundae, just as the MWC2026 will wrap up there is a little thing called the 2026 Winter Olympics that will enter from stage left — literally the next day. AXCS is working with the great folks at Lumi Experiences to provide an affordable way for MWC skiers to add a 3-day “mini-tour” that will include a bonus day of skiing on the way via charter buses to a commute location to catch the first two days of Olympic XC ski races (women’s and men’s skiathlon races) before returning folks to Venice Airport area hotels for return home (or further adventures on your own).
Wow — if all that doesn’t get you crazy interested, AXCS isn’t sure what will!
The Skiing
With mid-winter dates in the Dolomites, the first thing that grabs the eye is just how ideal the schedule is for this particular MWC. Nothing is probably ever going to be guaranteed again when it comes to snow and weather around the XC ski world, but you gotta feel at least pretty good about dates in the heart of the winter at a venue that traditionally has a strong snow season stretching from early December until mid-April.
Located at an elevation of 1245m / 4,100 feet, the Sappada trails has an advantage over many other Central European Nordic venues in having enough altitude to help provide a reassurance of natural snow — along with support from a modern snow-making system. The venue regularly plays host to a range of notable XC ski competitions ranging from two World Cups in the 1990s as well as most recently the 2023 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival.
The Sappada trails traverse a typical Central European pasture at the start and finish of all MWC loops with the middle section hugging the edge of the Piove River with the longer MWC2026 routes looping into the beautiful forests that gradually rise up towards the incredible ridge that overlooks the Sappada village and (and will no doubt frame countless photos by the time we wrap up the MWC2026!).
Twice as nice, this is also a unique two-fer MWC year in terms of racing locations. Whereas all six of the MWC individual races will take place at the main Sappada ski stadium located just south of the mid-Sappada village area, the MWC2026 relays are planned to take place at
the Forni Alvoltri ski stadium located just 4km to the east of Sappada. The Forni Alvoltri venue is a prominent biathlon venue and offers fun terrain with excellent spectating giving us an exciting twist to the traditional MWC relay day.
Between the two racing venues and a smaller training system, a total of 23km spread between three different locations is available winding thru forests, meadows, and river edges with a lovely mixture of terrain and (everywhere you look) incredible scenery.
Let’s just say there’s enough great skiing here to produce the likes of local heroes Silvio Fauner, Pietro Piller Cottrer, and biathlon superstar Lisa Vittozzi.
All The Other Fantastic Stuff
Both Sappada and Forni Avoltri feature a healthy mix of outstanding dining and shopping options as well as hotel spa options to keep folks busy off the trails. There’s even a local restaurant with a Michelin star!
Several alpine slopes are nearby if you’d like to add that to your trip mix plus a range of other winter adventures including snow hiking/snowshoeing, snowmobile tours, plus an entire “snow amusement park” called Nevelandia for younger (or young-at-heart) travelers.
Those local waterfalls mentioned earlier also attract ice climbers which might not be in the activity mix for most masters, but could be a fun viewing diversion. Organizers are also looking into offering several “rest days” day tours within 2 hours bus drive distance and (given this is Italy) there is no shortage of potential spots that could be on the attraction list.
Bottom Line… Whether you add the Olympic mini-tour weekend or not, this is going to be a magical MWC trip with tons of options to customize to fit your ski dreams and travel wishes. If not now -- when?