Jizerská Padesatka

Two busy weekends are awaiting us on the Worldloppet Ski Marathon Calendar. With coming weekend’s Marcialonga in Val di Fiemme/Italy the cross-country skiing family is continuing its season. A week later – end of January/beginning of February – there are even three events on the program: The German König Ludwig Lauf, the Jizerska 50 in Czechia and Japan’s Sapporo Skimarathon. We have gathered latest information about snow, tracks, weather forecast and conditions. The good news first: All organizers are optimistic that their races will take place!

Snow update Marcialonga 2026

When checking the webcams in Val di Fiemme, one could get worried about the Olympic year edition of Italy’s traditional Marcialonga. The valley is not in white, only on the mountains you’d find some snow. But this is not unusual – we saw such conditions also in previous years, but the organizers have always guaranteed an enjoyable and save race course. Marcialonga is known for its abilities in producing man-made snow and preparing 70 km tracks even without natural snow. So also for this year, there is no doubt, the Marcialonga is going to take place on Sunday 25th with the world’s best skiers from the Ski Classics series and another 7.000 skiing enthusiasts from all around the globe.

“There is no snow in the landscape but we have continuously freezing temperatures, which allow to produce all the necessary snow for the full 70 km track. It is already in a great shape, fast and firm.”, says Barbara Vanzo from the OC.

• Race: Marcialonga
• Snow: 0 natural snow; sufficient man-made snow
• Tracks: Full 70 km race course under preparation
• Forecast: Apx -3°; slight snowfall Fr/Sa; cloudy on race day
• Prognose: Taking place on original course

Snow Update König Ludwig Lauf 2026

On January 31st and February 1st, the German König Ludwig Lauf is going to give its comeback after two tough years of cancellation. Two years, the organizers use to develop a secure, flexible and most reliable concept for the Great German Skimarathon. This concept, based on a core loop, which is prepared and maintained in the best possible way, from the beginning of the season on and could get extended up to the full race course under superb conditions.

For now, two weeks ahead of the race weekend, Oberammergau and the region is covered in white with degrees around zero. Man-made snow is brought out at the moment to the tracks. The race course is under preparation and depending on the temperatures over the coming weeks, it will be extended, or the race will take place on a loop-course. “With the current situation, our man-made snow production and the weather forecast we are optimistic, that the race weekend is going to take place as planned.”, says Marc Schauberger Chief of OC.

Past weekend, a training camp with Olympic Champion Tobias Angerer and Norwegian star-trainer Trond Nystad took place in Oberammergau. The participants enjoyed superb skiing conditions.

• Race: König Ludwig Lauf
• Snow: Few centimeters of natural snow; good amount of man-made snow
• Tracks: currently under preparation
• Forecast: Apx 3° (trend falling); slight snowfall coming Saturday
• Prognose: Taking place (maybe on a loop-course)

Snow Update Jizerska 50 2026

On the same weekend, the Jizerska 50 is taking place. “At the moment all trails are skiable and in relatively good shape, with one exception: the classic problem section between Čihadla and Točna, where the snow cover is very thin.”, says Tomas Straka from the OC-team. The region around Bedrichov is covered in a not too big but firm and frozen snow layer. Also the expected temperatures for the next two weeks are below zero, which is also a good sign. The organizers already have alternative plans in case the problem area is not getting better, even though works will be done there over the next days. Additionally, around the skistadium Bedrichov man-made snow is under production.

“It’s not entirely worry-free, but at this point we remain cautiously optimistic that the Jizerská 50 will take place on its standard courses.”, prognoses Starka.

• Race: Jizerska 50
• Snow: some centimeters of natural snow; man-made snow under production
• Tracks: Full race course currently ski able, one critical section
• Forecast: Apx -6°; potentially slight snowfall coming weekend
• Prognose: Taking place on full race course or with an alternative section.

Snow Update Sapporo Skimarathon 2026

Although there has been snowfalls over the past few days, in Sapporo in Hokkaido/Japan, the amount of snow is still not sufficient at this time to prepare the original race course of Sapporo Skimarathon. Snowfalls are predicted for the upcoming days, accompanied by sub-zero degrees. The organizers will announce the race course during the next days.

“We are working steadily with relevant organizations and course managers to prepare for the race weekend in two weeks.”, confirms Mayu Taniguchi, from Sapporo Skimarathon race organization. “We are considering ways to be flexible in terms of course maintenance and management systems to suit the snow condition.”

• Race: Sapporo Skimarathon
• Snow: 20 – 50 cm of natural snow
• Tracks: Original course not skiable. 10 km loop under preparation
• Forecast: Apx -6°; snowfalls coming days
• Prognose: Race course will be announced soon