The upcoming international cross-country skiing season promises to be crackling to say the least, with the most anticipated and prestigious event, the Tour de Ski, set to be staged entirely on Italian soil. Toblach, with its Nordic Arena, is ready to reconfirm itself as the Cross-Country Capital by hosting the Grand Depart of the Tour de Ski 2024/2025,with the emblazoned event set to begin in style on Saturday, December 28,with a Free-Technic Sprint that will immediately ignite the challenges among the event's top-competitors. The clanking of the narrow skis will open the Tour's dances, which has the 15-kilometer Mass Start in classic technique scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 29,and after a rest day on Dec. 30,the world's cross-country elite will be able to bid farewell to 2024 with the 20-kilometer Interval in free technique. Instead, the 15-kilometer Pursuit in classic technique on Wednesday, Jan. 1,staged among the famous Nordic Arena tracks, will provide a warm welcome to the new year. There is no shortage of enthusiasm at Sport OK, with President Gerti Taschler who can only acknowledge how, “the Tour de Ski appointment is the result of the success of past years and especially last year's edition. With our staff and volunteers, we have shown the FIS what we are capable of: slopes always in excellent condition, top-notch services and great availability. ” The winter season still seems far away, but in Toblach it's already getting serious and the countdown has begun.