Saslong Classic Club - Val Gardena

What Saslong Classic Club - Val Gardena does

The Saslong Classic Club Gardena - Gröden A.S.D. is an Italian non-profit sports association (Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica) founded in 1969 and headquartered in Santa Cristina Valgardena, South Tyrol. It organizes the annual FIS Ski World Cup speed events on the Saslong downhill course, one of the most iconic venues on the Alpine World Cup circuit, featuring Super-G, downhill, and occasional sprint downhill races each December. The 58th edition was held in December 2025 and the 59th is scheduled for December 2026, with the organization awarded hosting rights for the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2031 at the FIS Congress in Reykjavik in June 2024.

The core operational asset is the Saslong race course itself, built for the 1970 World Championships, featuring the Camel Humps signature section with jumps measured by the University of Innsbruck where athletes reach speeds of 115 to 119 km/h. The organization relies on Longines precision timing systems, Prinoth slope preparation equipment, and snowmaking infrastructure to deliver events for approximately 65-81 athletes from 17-19 nations. Digital distribution channels include the saslong.org website, shop.saslong.org e-commerce Fan Shop, a free Ticket Alert service, and a mobile-optimized digital World Cup Magazine. International broadcasting is managed through Infront Sports & Media across RAI, ZDF, ORF, SRF, and Eurosport, reaching approximately 20 TV channels across 15+ countries.

The business model combines multiple revenue streams: direct ticket sales through the website (typically opening in August for December races), sales of official merchandise through the Fan Shop, tiered sponsorship packages (Audi as Title Sponsor, Longines as Official Timekeeper, plus Official Sponsors Generali, Skechers, Forst, Zgonc, and Pirelli, and Event Partners), broadcasting rights (managed centrally rather than retained directly), and public subsidies from local municipalities (Comune di Selva, S. Cristina, Ortisei, Castelrotto) and regional authorities (Regione Veneto). The event serves three primary customer segments: ski racing enthusiasts attending in person, broadcast media networks, and corporate sponsors seeking brand exposure to international alpine sports and Alpine tourism demographics.

Name

Saslong Classic Club - Val Gardena

Legal name

SASLONG CLASSIC CLUB GARDENA - GRÖDEN A.S.D.

Website

https://saslong.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Saslong Classic Club is an Italian non-profit sports association founded in 1969 that organizes the annual FIS Ski World Cup speed events on the iconic Saslong course in Val Gardena, South Tyrol, and will host the 2031 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Event Management / Alpine Ski Racing Events

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Winter Sports Teams/Clubs (Ski, Snowboard, Bobsleigh, etc.) (MPAKABAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Integrated Ski & Mountain Resorts (Lift-Served Skiing/Riding) (THAAAJAA)

Keywords

• Alpine ski racing
• Ski world cup events
• Winter sports organization
• Sports event management
• Ski race organizing

Headquarters

HQ city

St. Cristina (S. Cristina Val Gardena)

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Direct ticket sales for World Cup race events through the organization's website, with tickets available online starting from August for December races.
2. Fan Shop Merchandising: Official FIS Ski World Cup Val Gardena merchandising sold through the online Fan Shop at shop.saslong.org.
3. Sponsorship Revenue: Multiple sponsorship tiers including Title Sponsor (Audi), Official Timekeeper (Longines), Official Sponsors (Generali, Skechers, Forst, Zgonc, Pirelli), and Event Partners, generating revenue through brand exposure and partnership agreements.
4. Media/Broadcasting Rights: Revenue from TV broadcasting rights across international networks including RAI, ZDF, ORF, SRF, and Eurosport covering live race coverage to approximately 20 TV channels in 15+ countries.
5. Government Subsidies: Public contributions from municipalities (Comune di Selva, S. Cristina, Ortisei, Castelrotto) and other public bodies for World Cup organization and World Championship candidacy efforts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Saslong Classic Club organizes and stages the annual FIS Alpine Ski World Cup races held on the Saslong slope in Val Gardena (Gröden), South Tyrol, featuring the Men's Super-G and Downhill events. Beyond the race weekend itself, the club sells event tickets, runs a Fan Shop selling branded merchandise, publishes a digital World Cup magazine, and supports subsidiary events including the ARMA 1814 Ski Challenge and the Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy.

Product overview

Saslong Classic Club - Val Gardena operates as a non-profit sports organization (A.S.D.) that organizes the FIS Ski World Cup events on the Saslong slope. The organization's core offering is the annual Saslong Classic World Cup race weekend featuring Super-G and Downhill competitions. Supporting services include ticket sales, a Fan Shop for official merchandising, a free Ticket Alert notification service, newsletter subscription, and a digital World Cup Magazine. The organization is also preparing to host the World Ski Championships 2031 and partners with Val Gardena Südtirol Marketing on the Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy. Additionally, the club hosts the ARMA 1814 Ski Challenge as part of its broader event portfolio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy: Special trophy awarded to the athlete who scores the most World Cup points across all three speed races during the Val Gardena World Cup event. The winner receives a 3D wooden bust, €5,000 prize money, a short vacation in Val Gardena, and a guided climb of the Sassolungo/Langkofel mountain.

Products and services

• Saslong FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Race Weekend Annual FIS Alpine Ski World Cup event on the Saslong slope in Val Gardena featuring Men's Super-G and Downhill races, with ticketed spectator access and international broadcast coverage. Targeted at ski racing fans, spectators, and international media.
• Fan Shop Merchandise Branded Saslong World Cup apparel and souvenirs sold directly through the club's channels for fans and attendees of the race weekend.
• Digital World Cup Magazine Online magazine publication covering the Saslong World Cup race weekend, including athlete previews, event information, and tourism content for fans and visitors.
• Ticket Alert and Newsletter Service Free subscriber communications service providing advance notice of ticket availability, race schedule updates, and event information to individual race fans.
• ARMA 1814 Ski Challenge Supporting ski event organized in conjunction with the Val Gardena World Cup weekend, aimed at amateur and recreational skiers.
• Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy Multi-race trophy series across the Val Gardena/Südtirol ski area that complements the World Cup weekend with additional competitive events for visiting skiers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 58th edition successfully hosted in December 2025
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered primary, core and regional.

• AudiprimaryGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle Sponsor of the FIS Ski World Cup Val Gardena/Gröden, providing primary financial sponsorship and brand association with the prestigious alpine ski racing event.
• LonginesprimaryGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Timekeeper providing precision timing systems for all World Cup races on the Saslong.
• FIS (International Ski and Snowboard Federation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoverning body that sanctions and regulates the World Cup races on the Saslong. The Saslong Classic Club organizes events under FIS rules and calendar.
• FISI (Italian Winter Sports Federation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational governing body for winter sports in Italy, supporting the organization of World Cup events in Val Gardena.
• Infront Sports & MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSports media and marketing company that manages broadcasting and commercial rights for FIS World Cup events.
• Val Gardena Tourism (Val Gardena Marketing)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional tourism organization that co-sponsors the Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy and promotes the destination through World Cup events.
• Autonomous Province of Bolzano (South Tyrol)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional government body providing support for World Cup organization and World Championship hosting through various subsidies and infrastructure projects.
• Dolomiti SuperskiregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional ski lift consortium supporting World Cup events and promoting the Dolomites as a premier ski destination.
• Club5regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of leading alpine ski race organizers. Saslong Classic Club President Rainer Senoner serves as President of Club5, which now includes 27 organizing committees.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights12 records

Direct peers

• Kitzbüheler Ski Club (Hahnenkamm Races): The Kitzbüheler Ski Club organizes the legendary Hahnenkamm downhill races, the most iconic speed event on the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup men's calendar. Both clubs organize single-weekend World Cup speed events at historic courses, share the same FIS-sanctioned operational model, and are members of Club5 together.
• Ski Club Wengen (Lauberhorn Races): Organizer of the Lauberhorn races in Wengen, Switzerland, the longest downhill course on the World Cup circuit. Wengen and Val Gardena share the same Club5 membership, the same historic single-weekend speed-event format, and the same FIS calendar slot dynamics.
• Fondazione Cortina 2021 / Cortina Ski World Cup: Organizer of World Cup women's ski races in Cortina d'Ampezzo and host of the 2021 Alpine World Ski Championships. Direct Italian-Alpine peer sharing comparable destination-marketing dynamics with Val Gardena, FIS calendar positioning, and public-funding structures.
• Lake Louise Alpine Ski World Cup (Alberta, Canada): Organizer of the early-season men's and women's World Cup speed events at Lake Louise, Canada. Peer in operating international World Cup speed events with the same FIS sanctioning, broadcast-rights structure via Infront, and premium-sponsor stack.
• Comitato Organizzatore Coppa del Mondo Bormio (Stelvio): Organizing committee for the men's World Cup speed events on the Stelvio in Bormio, Italy. Peer on shared Italian Alpine World Cup calendar with comparable operational, sponsorship, and public-funding dynamics, and both leverage FIS calendar prestige.
• Beaver Creek Resort Company (Birds of Prey): Operates the Birds of Prey downhill course hosting the US men's speed events on the World Cup circuit. Peer as a North American counterpart organizing a single-weekend FIS World Cup speed event with similar title-sponsor (Audi) and broadcast structures.

Others

• Dolomiti Superski: Regional ski lift consortium covering 12 ski areas in the Dolomites including Val Gardena. Acts as a supporting partner for the Saslong race and aligns destination marketing; not a direct competitor but a key ecosystem participant whose lift-infrastructure and ticket-product decisions affect spectator experience and event logistics.

Broad incumbents

• FIS (International Ski and Snowboard Federation): The global governing body that sanctions all World Cup events on the Saslong and awards the 2031 Alpine World Ski Championships to Val Gardena. While not a competitor, FIS is the structural incumbent whose calendar and rule-making decisions directly determine the organization's revenue and operational model.
• Infront Sports & Media: Global sports media and marketing company that manages the commercial rights for the FIS World Cup events including those on the Saslong. As the rights holder and distribution partner for Saslong's broadcast coverage, Infront is the commercial gatekeeper whose contractual terms materially shape the club's broadcast revenue.

Regional players

• Plan de Corones / Kronplatz Organizing Committee: Operates a World Cup event in the South Tyrol/Trentino region of Italy, the same broader Dolomite destination area as Val Gardena. Regional peer with overlapping public-funding and tourism-marketing structures; serves a different winter sports segment but shares the same regional stakeholder ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/saslong-classic-club-val-gardena

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Saslong Classic Club - Val Gardena