The first-ever FIS roller ski races in the High Tatras – Tatry Roller Ski– will take place on September 20–21, 2025, in the western part of Slovakia’s highest mountain range, near Štrbské Pleso. Organizers have prepared two courses of varying difficulty for the competitors.
On Saturday, participants will face a 7.5 km uphill climb in classic technique with an interval start, from Tatranská Štrba to the Roveň parking area, which is located near the intersection of the road „Cesta slobody“ with the local road to Štrbské Pleso.
Sunday’s race will be 15.5 km long, using the freestyle technique with a mass start. The route begins in the westernmost part of the town of Vysoké Tatry – Podbanské – and again finishes at the Roveň parking area below Štrbské Pleso.
In addition to domestic cross-country skiers, organizers are expecting the participation of the Slovenian national team, which includes Miha Šimenc, Miha Ličef, Anja Mandeljc, and Eva Urevc – silver medalist at the 2021 World Championships in Oberstdorf, Germany. The team will be accompanied by coaches Ola Vigen Hattestad and Nejc Brodar.
Athletes have until January next year to meet qualification criteria for participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina. Therefore, the event is also attracting interest from athletes from neighboring countries, as well as from nations where cross-country skiing is still developing.
As part of the international FIS races, the Slovak Ski Association (ZSL) will also host Slovak Cup roller ski races for youth categories, along with public roller ski races for men and women. Athletes with an FIS license will compete on skis provided by the organizers. Competitors in the public races will use their own roller skis, following the guidelines in the official race instructions.
An important notice for the public and spectators: during the start times of the individual races, roads will be temporarily closed to motor vehicles. On Saturday, from 15:00 to 16:30, the road from Tatranská Štrba to the Roveň parking lot under Štrbské Pleso will be closed. On Sunday, from 9:30 to 11:00, the road „Cesta slobody“ between Podbanské and the Roveň parking lot will be closed.
Schedule:
September 19, 2025
16:00–17:00 – Official training (Šoldov location)
September 20, 2025
15:30 – Tatranská Štrba – Štrbské Pleso
7.5 km classic technique, interval start
September 21, 2025
10:00 – Podbanské – Štrbské Pleso
15.5 km freestyle, mass start
Organizers invite all cross-country skiing fans to come and cheer on the competitors!
More information about the races is available at: https://teamrenda.sk/tatryrollerski/
