Biathlon is the combination of two sports: cross-country skiing and target shooting. Its roots lie in the survival techniques practised in the snowy forests of Scandinavia, where the inhabitants hunted on skis with rifles on their backs.
The Südtirol Arena South Tyrol in the Antholz Valley is the largest winter sports centre in South Tyrol and one of the most famous biathlon centres in the world. Home to the next Biathlon World Cup 2025, one of the most popular sporting events in South Tyrol, the centre attracts international biathlon and cross-country skiing stars every year. Here, beginners and experts alike will find trails suitable for both classic and skating style skiing, allowing them to perfect their skills and, above all, have fun! With a breathtaking backdrop of the snow-capped peaks of the Vedrette di Ries, the winter sports centre's 20 km of cross-country trails will take you through snow-covered forests and along the frozen Lake Anterselva.
Biathlon at the Winter Olympics Milan Cortina 2026
In 2026, the Südtirol Arena Alto Adige will host eleven biathlon competitions at the Winter Olympics Milan Cortina.
In the 'Sprint', the women will compete over a distance of 7.5 km, while the men will cover 10 km. During the race, participants will make two stops at the shooting range, trying to hit five targets with five bullets. Each missed target will incur a 150 m penalty lap.
In the 'Pursuit' race, competitors will start in a sequence based on their sprint times. The women will cover 10 km, while the men will cover 12.5 km. There will be four stops at the shooting range, with the aim of hitting all five targets with five bullets. Again, each mistake will result in a 150 m penalty lap.
In the 'Individual' competition, the distances will be 15 km for women and 20 km for men. With four stops at the shooting range, participants will have to aim for accuracy, trying to hit all five targets with five bullets. Each missed target will result in one minute added to the total time.
The 'Relay' is a team speed challenge, with four athletes taking on distances of 7.5 km for a total of 30 km for men and 6 km for a total of 24 km for women. The race starts with a mass start, and each team member has two shooting sessions. Each competitor has three extra bullets to hit the missed targets, with a penalty round of 150 m required for each target not hit.
The '4x6km Mixed Relay', introduced in 2014, sees twenty teams consisting of two women and two men competing over distances of 6km each. Each athlete has two shooting sessions, with the need to hit five targets in total and the penalty of a 150m round for each missed target.
Finally, the 'Mass Start', added to the Olympic programme in 2006, sees thirty competitors start at the same time. The women compete over 12.5 km, while the men tackle 15 km, with four stops at the shooting range and the same 150 m penalty for each missed target.
