The international Sellaronda Skimarathon is a classic ski-tour race in the Dolomites
A team taking part in the Sellaronda Skimarathon consists of two people. Equipped with touring skis, skins that are slapped on these skis as well as a headlamp they race round the Sella Group and overcome the four Dolomite passes Sella, Gardena, Campolongo and Pordoi (see pic), connecting the localites Corvara, Arabba, Canazei and Selva Gardena. These four Ladin localites alternate in hosting start and finish of this ski-tour race.
The drop the athletes have to overcome on the 42 km long course is about 2,700 m. The race does not only require specific workout, but also demands from the athletes adaptability regarding temperature and changing weather conditions. This is one of the reasons why this ski-tour race is reserved for experts.
The "Four Dolomite Passes Tour" has been brought into life more than 20 years ago by some friends, including Diego Perathoner who acted as its president until his untimely death in 2009 during a rescue mission. The Sellaronda Skimarathon is continued in his memory.