The Diavolezza Glacier Race is entering the next round: the traditional public race on the Diavolezza will take place on Saturday, 15 March 2025. Those who take part will not only be supporting the preservation of the glaciers, but also enjoying the Bernina massif from a new perspective. Adventure-seekers should not wait too long to register, as the number of participants is limited.
Whether young or old, on skis or a snowboard – at the Diavolezza Glacier Race, snow sports enthusiasts have the chance to win the coveted title of glacier devil. The first glacier race took place in 1930, and the last edition was held in 1980. 34 successful editions later, the event came to an end, but the reasons for this remain unclear. After 44 years, the glacier race experienced a major revival on 16 March 2024. The popular race saw 195 participants in various ski and snowboard categories compete at the Diavolezza mountain station at 2,978 metres above sea level. The race route, which is also the longest glacier descent in Switzerland, led over the Pers and Morteratsch glaciers, past the world-famous ice giants Piz Palü and Piz Bernina and down to Morteratsch. One after the other, the participants mastered the eight-kilometre descent over 1,000 metres in altitude in sunshine and good visibility.
The tradition continues
The traditional race will be held for the second time in 2025 under the name ‘Diavolezza Glacier Race’ and for the 36th time in total. ‘Together with the Pontresina Mountaineering School and Pontresina Tourism, we have decided to organise the Diavolezza Glacier Race annually again,’ says Nicolà Michael, Head of Marketing & Sales at Diavolezza Lagalb AG. ‘We are organising the Diavolezza Glacier Race to preserve a tradition, promote skiing as a cultural asset and popular sport and make an active contribution to glacier protection.’
Piste descent as nature created it
The Diavolezza Glacier Race not only offers fantastic views of the glacier world, but also fun on the piste in its original form. This is because the race course is not machine-groomed. The descent therefore demands not only technical ability, but also fitness and courage. The route is rough and natural, which is what makes this unique race so appealing.
The fun of the event takes centre stage alongside safety. Anyone competing in fancy dress will receive a surprise at the finish line as recognition. Teams or families can now also compete against each other and secure a group victory. The honourable title of Glacier Devil and Glacier Devil will be awarded to the two fastest runners. Their names will be immortalised on the challenge cup. Skier Nina Lussi won the title of Glacier Devil in 2024 with a time of 18:25.2 and skier Jonathan ‘Johnny’ Fiol from St. Moritz won the title of Glacier Devil with a time of 13:42.8. The fastest snowboarder was Giancarlo Salis from Pontresina with a time of 17:43.2, just ahead of Olympic snowboarding champion Nevin Galmarini with a time of 18:34.1.
Sporting tradition meets sustainability
It’s not just the race itself that has been revitalised, found objects from the Bernina Glaciers Clean-Up Day are also being given a second life. Old crampons, ice axes, wooden skis and other relics found during the annual clean-up on the Pers and Morteratsch glaciers are transformed into art objects by Engadin artist Nora Engels. Following the award ceremony, these will be auctioned off at the ‘Viva la Via Gletscheredition’ promenade happening in Pontresina, with all proceeds going towards glacier conservation projects. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the GlaciersAlive association, which is involved in various projects for the protection of frozen freshwater reservoirs to ensure a sustainable water supply in mountain regions. Participating skiers and snowboarders also make a significant contribution to glacier conservation. A quarter of the participation fees are invested in projects that support the preservation of glaciers. Last year, a total of over CHF 9,000 was raised.
Whisky for glacier protection
ORMA, the world’s highest whisky distillery on Corvatsch, is producing an exclusive special edition for the Diavolezza Glacier Race called ‘Vadret’ – Romansh for glacier. This unique Vadret edition is a single malt that is bottled annually during the Glacier Race. From summer 2024, the whisky will also be matured at the Diavolezza mountain station. CHF 25 of every bottle sold will be donated directly to glacier protection.
If you want to add the title of Glacier Devil to your curriculum vitae, register directly for the next Diavolezza Glacier Race on Saturday, 15 March 2025 and secure one of the 500 starting places. The entry fee is CHF 70.
Recap-Video 2024
More information and registration at glacier-race.ch
