The Marcialonga & König Ludwig Lauf trip overlaps with Fasching, or carnival season, in Germany and Austria. The festive parades and colorful costumes peak in the days leading up to today (Fat Tuesday!), but traditional Faschingskrapfen-eating season starts on the last day of December.

Faschingskrapfen are traditional Viennese doughnuts filled with Apricot jam. They are so rich and sweet they’ve been recommended by monks and priests during times of rationing to help their parishioners build up enough reserves to get through lent. Traditional ratios for the richness (six egg yolks per kilogram of flour) and sweetness (apricot jam equals 15% of the doughnut) are strictly enforced by Viennese food inspectors.

The thing to eat this time of year, especially today – they have been a symbol of carnival since the 19th century! 

Reflecting on the Marcialonga & König Ludwig Lauf trip, it reminds me of a Krapfen:

The festive Marcialonga race weekend kicked off the trip, like a first bite into the yeasted, rich dough of a Krapfen warming up your tastebuds. Sandwiched between two Worldloppet races in Cavalese, Italy and Oberammergau, Germany, Lumi guests got to experience the sweet center of Seefeld, Austria – a popular training destination for elite skiers. Finishing the trip with a weekend of König Ludwig Lauf events just over the border in Bavarian Alps was the fine icing sugar sprinkled on top!

Like the egg yolks that fortify Krapfen, Lumi skiers soaked up lots of sunshine as they skied up to 70 km through narrow village streets in Val di Fiemme.

Lumi skiers finished strong on the final climb with lots of sticky klister, like the Apricot jam in Krapfen, on the back of their skis. 

Thanks to our incredible trip leaders who supported Lumi guests along the course & had refreshments ready at the finish line. It was a glorious day for the 50th anniversary!

After the big event, everyone celebrated over a special Tirolean-Italian meal prepared by chef Monica at our favorite family-run hotel in Cavalese.

Sandwiched between two Worldloppet races in Cavalese, Italy and Oberammergau, Germany, Lumi guests got to experience the sweets of Seefeld.

There are over 200 km of ski trails & a ski jump right out the door of the Lumi hotel.

Skate skiing the flat, open meadow trails in the neighboring Leutasch Valley, with craggy mountains rising all around, was the perfect recovery after a weekend of racing. 

It was a snowy night for Eisstockstießen, Austria's version of curling followed by yodeling.

En route to the Bavarian Alps – a stop for lunch at a cozy mountain top hut with great views, vibes and traditional Tyrolean food, plus rodeling back down the mountain in fresh powder that fell the night before. So sweet!

A weekend of König Ludwig Lauf festivities was the fine icing sugar sprinkled on top!

The start of a Worldloppet race can resemble carnival parades: skiers in bright race suits double-polling rhythmically in lines.

There’s a race for everyone with distances ranging from 10 - 50 km in both skate and classic techniques. 

Skiers glided through the mountainous Valley of König Ludwig II, where the King of Bavaria from 1864 - 1886 built several lavish palaces, including the neo-French Rococo Linderhof castle, which is along the race course.

Want to treat yourself to a sweet adventure? There’s still room on next winter’s Marcialonga & König Ludwig Lauf trip!

Reach out to info@lumiexperiences.com to see the trip itinerary & secure your spot. Plus, sign up by March 31st to save $300.

See you on the trail,
Garrott Kuzzy